We usually expect to find wiring troubles in old homes where the wires are made from out-of-date material that is no longer up to code. But electrical repair needs can crop up in the most modern homes: all it takes is a bit of shoddy installation or damage to a few connections and you can end up with wiring that malfunctions, leading to power loss or—in the worst case scenario—an electrical fire.

Do not attempt any repairs to your wiring yourself unless you are a trained electrician with access to pro-level tools. High-voltage shocks are something to take seriously. Pick up your phone instead and put in a call to your local electrician and arrange for repairs.

Solar power is something any home can take advantage of. You don’t have to live in the boonies to use solar power to offset your electric bill. The process of installing solar panels is relatively easy and can be taken care of by a Pasadena electrician like those at The Electric Connection. Solar energy is free and is most certainly the way of the future. Imagine cutting your electric bill in half or more by relying on the sun.

The panels are typically installed on the roof of your home. The initial cost of the solar panels will vary depending on how many you choose to have and the various sizes. There are lease options that have proven to be very good options for homeowners who are not quite ready to make the rather sizable initial investment to buy their own solar power equipment. Call it a test run of sorts as you learn to rely on solar energy.

Many people don’t realize that they can use solar power to run their homes even if they live in the suburbs. Most covenants will allow for the panels to be installed. Your home will stay connected to the main power grid so there is no fear of “running out of power.” In fact, if your solar power system happens to generate more electricity than you can use, you can sell it back to your electric company in most cases. How many people can say their power company pays them a monthly fee?

Because the solar panels will need to be connected to your home’s electric panel, you will need to hire an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will see the cost-savings of using solar power within the first month. As you grow more accustomed to maximizing the solar energy, those savings will increase over time. If you would like to learn more about adding solar panels to your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.

It's not quite summer yet, but the recent bout of spring fever that has overtaken much of the Mid Atlantic has inspired many homeowners to begin planning for the upcoming warm weather. One of the first things that people look into this time of year is how they will make sure their backyard is utilized to the fullest once the temperatures outside start coming closer to the triple digits. The Washington, DC area is known for steamy, sticky summers that tend to hang around well into fall, and one of the only ways that many residents are able to stay comfortable later in the season is by taking a dip in their swimming pools.

If you are lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your DC backyard, you likely understand what a savior these structures can be, but also what a hassle they often are to maintain. It's true that there are few things as refreshing as the cool water on a sweltering afternoon, but if your pool isn't clean, it's one of the last places you'll want to be wading.

Maintaining your pool also brings with it several potential hazards that come about when you aren't keeping tabs on your equipment. After all, it's an electric motor that powers your pool's filter, and when water gets involved with electricity there are always precautions that need to be taken.

Make sure that the electrical connection from the motor to your house is secure and not located near any standing water. For instance, if you use an outdoor extension cord to power the unit, make sure that the spot where the male and female ends of your two cords meet is above ground so that it won't be vulnerable to any puddles.