With July ending and August coming around the corner, summer is cooling and that means it is the perfect time to go camping! Taking a camping trip before the start of the school year and the business that comes with the fast approaching holiday season will give you and your family the opportunity to relax and chill out. Make your camping adventure stand out this year and check out some of these camping tips!

What to Bring on a Camping Trip

With any luck, each camping trip proves to be a unique experience. There are many wonderful things that nature has to offer. But, no matter where you’re headed, a few things should always come with you. Below is the “short list” of camping essentials that should always be packed:

The tent is the focal point of most camping trips. If you’re a beginning camper, there are a couple of different tent tips to remember. First and foremost, practice pitching your tent before you head to the campsite. Being able to do it quickly and effectively is extremely valuable. When looking for a place to set up, always look for a “natural bed” of soft, flat soil – but avoid the bottom of hills or valleys. Finally, always set up a tarp below your tent to avoid potential damage or water-logging.

Campers can also benefit from a few non-specific outdoor principles. Rule number one, no matter the time of year, is to dress in (or at least carry) layers. It’s the easiest and most effective way to control your body temperature. Secondly, learn how to use a GPS or map and compass. No matter how familiar you are with a certain wooded area, getting lost among acres of similar-looking trees is very easy. Finally, practice basic outdoor skills such using and sharpening a utility knife, tying various knots, and building a fire. It’s this knowledge that separates the amateurs from the seasoned campers.

Budget for a Camping Trip

Like most anything else, budgeting for a camping trip is easiest when you start big and work your way down. First, decide upon an amount you can afford, and make a resolution not to exceed it. Then, begin to factor in the larger expenses – things like food, gas, necessary equipment, and campsite fees. From there, work your way down to smaller items until you come close to the spending limit.

As that line is tested, you’ll have to make the nitpicky decisions that ultimately determine your trip’s bottom line. For instance, you could eliminate that traditional fast food stop on the way there in favor of pre-prepared sandwiches. Little decisions such as these tend to add up in the grand scheme of financial matters, especially when it comes to discretionary spending.

Now that you know the basics of camping, what to bring, and how to squeeze outdoor adventure into your budget, nothing is left to keep you from hitting the woods! Enjoy one last “hoorah” before the busy season starts to stress you out.

The choice of a LED product is guided by watching specifications tables. Here is one table accompanied by the explanation of the features. The result should be a good lighting solution that is leaving a green ecological footprint. A good lighting solution is emitting enough light that the tasks in space can be conducted properly. First the lumens of the fixture (responsible for brightness in the room), the CRI (how good is the lighting concept representing colors), color temperature (how is the ambience in the room) and lumen per watt (efficiency of the system) are recommended to be watched. These criteria are responsible for a good lighting quality and energy efficient solution.

The other features are necessary information too. They serve further details about the fixture, the setup and maintenance of the lighting system.

(1) Type: The products name is a detail for purchasing the fixture

(2) Wattage: Defines the energy consumption of the fixture, which is important for the electrician and the ecological footprint of the system (referring to Lumens per Watts)

(3) CRI: Important character in areas where colors should be truly represented. For applications where people are involved, a CRI lower than 70 is not recommended. In shopping areas a CRI of 90 and higher is applicable.

(4) Lumens: responsible for the brightness in a room. The more lumens, the brighter the fixture is illuminating the space.

(5) Lumen per Watt: Efficiency of the lighting system. The higher the lm/W the better the ecological footprint of the product.

(6) Lumen Maintenance: how fast LEDs lose their brightness compared to new products (most manufacturers refer to the time when most of the LEDs reach 70% and less of the initial lumen output)

(7) Color Temperature: defines the mood or ambience in a room. Low quality lighting fixtures mostly have a very cool color temperature as these LEDs are more efficient than warm white LED products. A color temperature higher than 6000K is not recommended for a lot of areas.

(8) Beam Angle: the light is radiated into the indicated beam angle. LEDs are direct light sources with typical beam angles of 120° till 180°.

(9) Life Hours: defines the lifetime of a LED product. LEDs last 50,000h up to 100,000h.

(10) Replaces: a helpful information for replacing conventional light sources

(11) Working Voltage: high quality LED products have an integrated driver, Retrofit Solutions are delivered with the suitable ballast already.

(12) Frequency: detail about the admitted voltage frequency

(13) Power Factor: Efficiency of the ballast

(14) THD: Total harmonic distortion is describing the distortion caused by ballasts and other inductive loads of the input current on alternating current (AC) power systems

(15) Operating Temperature: The light source is operating under the mentioned conditions according to the manufacturer datasheet, other temperatures will cause the light source to fail or work not properly (e.g. light loss, different color temperature)

(16) IP Rating: the protection of the light source, ballast and wiring against liquids and solid objects

(17) Dimmable: dimming is the change in light source brightness, mostly undertaken by smart controls

(18) Dimensions: the fixture’s size, important for the definition of the mounting position and space

(19) Net Weight: the fixture’s weight, important for the mounting construction, e.g.ceiling strongness needs to be considered

(20) Housing: the housing is the surrounding of the light source and ballast, the higher the IP rating, the better the protection against liquids and solid objects which is important in car washes for example, the coating is important in swimming halls where the luminaires are exposed to chloride and humid conditions

(21) Mounting: possible mounting ways like pendant, surface or hock mount

(22) Warranty: how long after purchasing, the products are ensured working properly

Electric cars are on their way to surpassing your fuel guzzler this year. Check out the latest line-up of electric cars paving the way for 2015. From best-value to the best sports car, electric vehicles are now available for every driver.

At $26,000, the Chevrolet Spark Electric Vehicle (EV) offers a great value in the lower price range. With greater horsepower and torque, this EV provides better steering and speed topping off at 90 mph. When charged, Chevrolet Spark’s battery power results in 82 miles. A great choice for first-time buyers, the Chevrolet Spark EV is a solid buy.

If you need a car for long distance driving, The Tesla Model S goes the distance. In a single battery charge, this EV can drive up to 270 miles. This impressive mileage classifies the Tesla S as the longest driving electric car up to date. At $75,000 the Tesla S is considered the best EV up to date. With the Tesla S, you can finally take that road trip without the fear of battery life.

Perfect for short distance driving, the Fiat 500E is a compact choice for your electric car. Sold for $32,000, the Fiat 500E is suitable for stop-and-go traffic due to its agility. It’s also great for parallel parking, being able to maneuver rapidly into tight spaces. The Fiat 500E is a top pick for those who drive primarily to and from work.

The BMW i3 is unique because of its carbon-fiber make-up rather than the conventional steel. The use of carbon-fiber material makes the BMW i3 lighter and faster, driving at zero to 60 in seven seconds. This EV also contains a range extender, pushing the amount of miles driven from a single charge from 81 miles to 150 miles. It is extremely energy efficient and overall the most innovative of electric cars. BMW i3’s are sold for $43,000, a reasonable price for its quality and worth.

One of the most spacious electric vehicles, the Toyota Rav4 can fit a family of five and has a large trunk to fit all of your gear. This SUV also delivers an impressive range of 103 miles per charge and a horsepower of 154. Relatively fast with a zero to 60 in 7.6 seconds, the Toyota Rav4 is a good comparison to the Tesla S but with the advantage of the much cheaper price of $50,000.

Luxury cars aren’t exclusive to gas-powered vehicles. The BMW i8 is the winner of the 2015 World Green Car Award. Cruising at a top speed of 155 mph and reaching 60 miles in about 4.2 seconds, the BMW i8 is an impressive luxury hybrid vehicle selling at an estimated $137,000. The sleek design, shark grille, and swan doors are sure to turn heads.

The Tesla Roadster is a gorgeous driving machine with 400 miles of driving range. Labeled as the Tesla 3.0, it is the highest quality of Tesla electric cars. Improvements include the battery, which has 30% more energy than previous models. The tires have also been upgraded, resulting in excellent traction for cruising down the highway in style.

A cheaper option for electric cars is the Ford Focus Electric. It is sold for less than $30,000 and boasts 76 miles after fully charging. With a faster charging battery of 3.5 hours and newer gadgets and tech, this stylish electric vehicle is another popular choice for electric car buyers.

On the other hand, a more expensive choice is the Volkswagen e-Golf. Although the Volkswagen e-Golf sells for $35,000, it stands out as the third most efficient EV in the United States. It also gets drivers’ attention for handling like a gas-powered car due to its steady power.

Toyota is leading the way for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The main difference between electric cars and fuel cell electric cars is the source of energy. FCEV’s are charged with hydrogen rather than a battery. This change allows FCEV’s to drive for 300 miles on a single five minute charge alone. Hydrogen charging stations have made a rise across the nation, and there is even one located at UT.

Anticipation is on the rise for the upgraded Tesla Model X along with new EV and hybrid models for Audi and Cadillac. With the majority of car brands implementing electric cars, hybrid vehicles, or FCEV’s into their line-up, owning an EV is more accessible than ever. With a wide price range from the every day to going the distance, electric cars are most definitely in the forefront of transportation today.

To power your car find a charging station near you. To power your home request an appointment today from Bryant Electric Service.

Upgrades to your home are a part of life. It can be fun and exciting to add a new feature to your home. It is easy for things to get stale or boring when you have lived in the same home for a long time. You can spice things up by adding a few new upgrades to your home that are easy and inexpensive. In fact, some of the upgrades can actually save you money.

Electrical upgrades should always be handled by a qualified electrician. Santa Monica residents can rely on The Electric Connection’s skilled professionals to handle any job, big or small. An inexperienced person should never attempt to handle electricity. The safety concerns are too great. Always hire a professional.

Light Fixtures

Updating light fixtures can give your home a whole new look, while saving money at the same time. There are numerous ideas you can incorporate into your space to liven it up depending on your wants and needs. Recessed and track lighting tend to be the most popular choices and are relatively inexpensive.

Ceiling Fan

Adding a ceiling fan to a bedroom or living area is also an ideal way to help cut your electric bill while adding comfort to your home. Most ceiling fans are equipped with lights and can replace an existing light fixture. These are great for circulating the air during the stuffy summer months and moving the warm air throughout the home during the cooler months.

Install Bath Fan

A bath fan is essential to keeping wood-damaging moisture at bay in the bathroom, which is prone to mildew and mold growth due to the damp conditions. Today’s market includes numerous styles and varieties that include lights and heaters.

If you are interested in giving your home a bit of a facelift without undergoing a major remodel, call your electrician in Santa Monica today. The Electric Connection is here to serve you and would love to speak with you about your upgrade needs.