Location, location, location. Many factors in your quality of life are affected by where you choose to live, including your energy costs. Wallet Hub recently released a report that surveyed the average energy costs, including electricity, in all 50 states. Read on to learn more about where your state falls in the rankings.

What Affects Electricity Rates?

A number of factors play into the price of electricity in a given state or region – the proximity of energy production and fuel sources, federal or state incentives, taxes, and the local competition in the energy market can all affect the final price.

The gap between the cheapest and most expensive states can be surprisingly large – electricity in Hawaii, the most expensive state, costs four times as much per unit as it does in Washington D.C., an electrician's paradise with the lowest price for power. Joining Washington D.C. among the cheapest electricity states are North Dakota, Idaho, Louisiana and West Virginia, while Vermont, Connecticut, Alaska and New York round out the most expensive five after Hawaii.

Adding Consumption to the Mix

Of course, there's more to your utility costs than just the base sticker price. How much electricity you consume plays a role as well. Those homeowners paying sky-high prices in Hawaii, for example, also use the least electricity per household in the entire United States. Residents in Louisiana, on the other hand, use the most electricity per household, thanks to sweltering hot weather that goes hand-in-hand with significant reliance on electric air conditioning.

Given the combination of price and consumption, people living in Washington, D.C. spend the least amount on electricity, forking over an average of $79 per month, followed by residents of Illinois, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Despite their low consumption levels, people in Hawaii still get the highest bills, at an average of $179 per month. Residents of Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Florida join them in the top five for overall electricity spending.

Let the Electricians Guide You to Lower Bills

The report also includes interviews with energy experts on how to save money on utility bills, as well as the impact of tax deductions, credits and energy assistance for low-income households in the utility market.

“Consider calling your utility company and asking if they offer any services to help you identify ways to be more efficient in your home,” Sanya Carley, associate professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, suggests. “Many utilities offer such services for free, and will send someone to your house to prepare a formal or informal audit for you.”

To see the full list and find out where your state ranks when it comes to electricity and other household energy costs, check out the WalletHub report here. If you need tips on how to conserve electricity to reduce your utility bills no matter what the sticker price of energy is in your state, contact an expert electrician today.

Throughout the modern age, we have become desensitized to the radical displacement of major products, categories, and even whole industries. It’s amazing how one simple technological innovation can change the way we use a major product or service in our lives; one of today’s largest examples of this is how LED bulbs are rapidly displacing the standard incandescent or CFL bulb.

VCRs, cassette tapes, home phones, movie stores, steam engines, and more have been added to the list of technologies that were once considered revolutionary, but are now just a novelty. The same will soon be said for CFL and, especially, incandescent light bulbs, as LED bulbs seem to outperform their predecessors in nearly every way.

There are really only two ways to point to an LED bulb and find that it has any flaws when compared to a standard light bulb: They don’t last (quite) as long when kept in a closely confined container that is left on for extended periods and they cost more to purchase. The former issue is solved by adjusting the type of fixture you install LED bulbs in (or losing the fixture altogether, as LEDs don’t need them nearly as much) and the latter is an ever-decreasing problem, as LEDs are becoming more-and-more mass produced and affordable. Even now, for a couple extra bucks, your 4-pack of LED bulbs will pay for themselves with a single bulb in about a year, then continue to last far longer – likely years – longer than an incandescent bulb bought on the same day would have.

One of the major criticisms to LED bulbs was once that the light was too pristine, not natural enough, or just generally felt different. Now, however, LED manufacturers have begun to perfect making LED bulbs replicate and exceed the capabilities of standard light bulbs. In fact, LED bulbs can now even be purchased to replicate vintage-style bulbs (often called Edison bulbs), that fully function on a dimmable switch and provide all the exoticl pizzaz of classic bulbs without the abysmal lifespan. It is reasonable to expect that as LED lights continue to replace incandescent bulbs in standard applications that they will take their place in other areas, including colorful, uniquely-shaped, and even more exotic or rare fixture fittings.

You’ve likely heard the claims of savings and safety features associated with LED bulbs; if you’re skeptical, then worry not, most every claim about LED bulbs is true or even understated. LED bulbs are so much more efficient, reliable, stable, and long-lasting than incandescent bulbs in nearly all situations, that there really are almost no reasons to not choose LED over your standard bulbs. In fact, it is likely not worth waiting for your current bulbs to die, but, instead, upgrade your entire household now; the savings is so significant that you’ll likely save money on your electrical bill in under a year.

Whenever you need electrical work done around your Des Moines home, contact the experienced professionals at Electrical Gurus. We are proud to offer the finest licensed local electricians in the area and are always more than happy to help out on your household projects.

Thunderstorms pose a safety hazard in several ways. Lightning is the most dangerous part of a thunderstorm, and it kills more people than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Thunderstorms produce heavy rain, which can cause flash flooding. The strong winds from a thunderstorm can also cause widespread damage. Each of these components requires specific precautions to minimize their danger.

A thunderstorm typically has a diameter of 15 miles and lasts for 30 minutes, which is much smaller than a hurricane or winter storm. The National Weather Service places specific criteria on a severe thunderstorm. These include thunderstorms that produce hail with a diameter of at least ¾ inch, wind gusts of at least 58 mph or a tornado. Severe thunderstorms comprise about 10 percent of all thunderstorms.

The NWS recommends that you stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder when you hear thunder less than 30 seconds after the lightning. This rule is known as the 30/30 lightning safety rule.

Avoid taking emergency shelter in structures that are vulnerable to high winds, such as a mobile home. Outdoors shelters such as sheds, pavilions and golf’s typically will not protect you from flying debris and lightning. Avoid and report downed power lines. Bring pets and livestock under shelter to protect them during hailstorms.

National Boss Day was first proposed in 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski, an employee at State Farm Insurance Company, who registered the holiday with the United States Chamber of Commerce. Haroski chose October 16th, her father’s birthday, as a day to express appreciation for bosses and promote good relationships between employees and supervisors.

Today, National Boss Day is celebrated in the United States and in other countries, including Australia, India, and South Africa.

In honor of National Boss Day, Capitol Lighting is offering promotional pricing home and office lighting.  And, Capitol Lighting’s consultants will provide expert advice to help you design the most efficient and effective work environment with beautiful Hubbardton Forge lighting pieces.

Think about it:  You spend a majority of your waking hours at the office; doesn’t it make sense to invest in a great lighting design to increase job satisfaction and productivity?  More than creating a pleasant atmosphere, top quality office lighting will increase accuracy of performance, minimize fatigue and eye strain, and be both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The key to great office lighting is to provide plentiful illumination, while eliminating glare and shadows.

Capitol Lighting Reveals the Glaring Truth and Offers Tips to Being the Boss of Your Office Lighting Environment

When designing office lighting, you must first understand the glaring truth.

Capitol Lighting’s 5 Keys to Successful Office Lighting Illumination:

Light Up the Boss with Capitol Illumination!

“By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be the boss and work twelve hours a day. – Robert Frost

October 16th is National Boss Day, and Capitol Lighting would like to celebrate the best working relationships with promotional pricing on the latest illuminations.  Show your appreciation and shower your boss with the latest lighting innovations and decorative accessories to add style and sophistication to the workplace.

Enjoy excellent promotional values on famous designer lighting and accessories, including new concepts from Hubbardton Forge lighting:

-The “After Hours” collection: Employing energy-efficient fluorescent illumination, these sconces, wall lights, and mini pendants are available in a choice of finishes with opal or stone glass.

-The “Current” collection:  Simplistic, yet stunningly captivating, this 4-light single tier chandelier is available in 6 different finishes and 4 glass options.

-The “Metamorphic” collection:  Adjustable base table lamps available in 5 finishes.  Complete and customize your design with a variety of outstanding shade options.

-The “Reflections” collection:  Wall sconces available in many finish and glass options to provide beautifying accent illumination.

-The “Rook” collection:  Mirrors, floor lamps and table lamps in a variety of finishes including black, natural iron, burnished steel and mahogany.  Lamps are Energy Smart to provide the most energy-efficient illumination.

-The “Taper” collection-Traditional torchiere lamp bases in choice finishes.  Uniquely designed glass shades are available in an array of colors including topaz, blue haze and amber art.

-The “Down Willow” collection:  Rustic desk and floor lamps featuring a naturally clean design in choice finishes.  Elegant shade options include textures and colors in doeskin, white linen, tea crinkle, black parchment and sage.

Often overlooked and underestimated in its power, superior office lighting creates an optimal work environment. Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom to view the latest innovations for home and office.  Surprise your boss with outstanding illumination.  Desk lamps, floor lamps and mirrors are on sale now, and office lighting experts at Capitol will help custom design the perfect gift!