By Clarissa Allison | June 24th, 2016

Energy is the crux of many social, economic, and climate problems.  Renewable energy sources offer a brighter, more sustainable future.  International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that almost 1 billion people will still be without access to electricity in 2030, in part owing to rapid population growth, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. The number of people without access to clean cooking stoves and fuels is similarly projected to drop only slightly, from 2.6 billion to 2.5 billion.

Having a ceiling fan in the bedroom or living room is a pretty common feature in many homes. The fans are far more energy efficient than an air conditioner and can help keep a room’s temperature fairly comfortable in mild heat. Any movement of the air helps keep it feeling fresh in a space and the warm environment is much more tolerable. An electrician in Santa Monica is here to tell you it isn’t just your living room and bedroom that could benefit from a ceiling fan. Your patio could as well. The team at The Electric Connection can get you all set up with an outdoor ceiling fan that makes sitting outside on a summer day much more tolerable.

An outdoor ceiling fan isn’t quite as common as the ones you will find for inside the home, but they are available. The fans will need to be installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who have a deck or patio that is partially covered can take advantage of these awesome fans. The fans are specially designed to withstand the elements. The wiring and electrical components for the fan are housed inside protective plastic that keeps the fan from shorting out. The blades are made with a variety of materials that will keep them from rusting or rotting.

An outdoor fan has a number of benefits. You can enjoy a meal or a little relaxation on the patio without worrying about the stifling heat. A slight breeze can make it all better. The gentle breeze over the patio will also keep a lot of the irritating bugs like flies, mosquitoes and bees at bay explains a Santa Monica electrician. This will make your outdoor dining experience that much better. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you would like to learn more about outdoor ceiling fans or would like to have one installed.

Some home improvement projects, such as light plumbing and remodeling, lend themselves to DIY pretty easily. Larger jobs usually require highly specialized training and should only be done by a professional. This is especially true of electrical work, which is both difficult and potentially very dangerous.

What this means, of course, is you have to find a contractor you can trust! To choose a reliable contractor, it’s essential to find someone who is:

We’ll go into more detail on these:

The two most important aspects of any electrical job are safety and electrical system reliability.

Just as important as their technical skill is the electrician’s reputation. Search the internet for reviews, or ask friends and neighbors if the electrician you’re hiring does a good job and is fairly priced. It’s easy to be swindled by companies who offer rock bottom prices but deliver rock bottom service – you need to find a company that will do the job right for a reasonable budget.

Every electrical job is different, and if your electrician doesn’t know how to accommodate your particular needs, you could be in trouble. Make sure you find a contractor who has the experience and the know-how to do your specific job correctly the first time.

Finally, ask about the contractor’s warranty and insurance – and make sure you get it in writing. Does the electrician guarantee the work will meet code requirements? Will the company correct work that does not meet applicable standards? Insist on getting a written estimate as well as a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate. Make sure your proposal or contract specifies that the work to be performed will comply with the NEC and NEIS.

If you need electrical service in Maryland, DC or Northern Virginia, the choice is clear – Kolb Electric! We have been providing electrical service throughout the area since 1925 and are the experts in our field. Don’t wait – call today!

Welcome to Kolb Electric’s blog! At Kolb Electric, we want to be your number one source for residential and commercial electrical services in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC area, whether we’re on the job or not. To that end, we’ve created this blog to answer any questions you might have about your electrical system and electrical service in general!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be filling this blog with the latest tips, tricks, and trends to keep your home or building’s electrical system running smoothly, so bookmark this page and be sure to check back often!

At Kolb Electric, we’ve built our business around providing the best possible customer service to each and every commercial or residential electrical customer in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC area. If you need electrical service and want to go with the most professional company in the area, call Kolb Electric today!