“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.”—George Washington

Just in time for President’s Day, exclusive designs from Maxim Lighting and ET2 bring the truth to light with innovative illumination backed by 40 years of quality craftsmanship and service.  Whether you are searching for subdued elegance for the dining room and powder room or plentiful task illumination for the kitchen and office, look to Maxim  lighting fixtures for pure and trustworthy constitution.

Capitol Lighting is proud to present the finest in home lighting and accessories with promotional values on the latest from Maxim Lighting and ET2, including:

Enjoy holiday savings on all Maxim lighting fixtures and ET2 in honor of President’s Day, and take 10% off all kitchen pendants too!

Solar power isn't just for going off the grid anymore. More and more homeowners are finding solar panels are a great option to supplement their existing power source and lower utility costs.

If you have the cash to make the up-front payment, installing solar panels can be a smart long-term investment. They last for up to 30 years with minimal maintenance. By generating your own electricity, you can reduce or even eliminate your power bill to the electric company. Furthermore, there are federal and state tax credits that can reduce your initial installation costs, making it an even better deal. At the same time, you will be reducing your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, making your own contribution to the health of the planet.

How It Works

Your solar system will hook right into the power grid. On sunny days, when you generate more electricity than your house needs, you will actually send the excess out along the power lines. Then at night or on overcast days, you will draw conventional energy from the grid. If your conditions are favorable enough, you can make a profit by creating more electricity than you use overall.

The panels can pay for themselves in saved electricity costs in anywhere from two to 15 years, depending on how much energy you create and your state's incentive programs. Many companies also offer financing options so you don't have to come up with all the cash up-front.

Solar isn't a good solution for every homeowner, however, so consider the following factors when making your decision:

The Next Steps

If you think your house is a good prospect, the next step is to contact reputable solar installation companies and get some estimates. Their experts can help you go over the costs and savings and make the decision that is right for you.

The times, they are a-changin'. President Obama recently announced the details of his highly anticipated Clean Power Plan, a measure aimed at reducing the country's harmful fossil fuel emissions and limiting our contribution to climate change. The plan, when fully implemented, should reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Read on to learn more about the Clean Power Plan and what it means for you.

Lower Prices at the Meter

The Clean Power Plan was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the authority granted by the Clean Air Act. It imposes sharp limits on the types of energy production that power the nation's electrical work, but grants flexibility to states in how they act to meet those limits. In general, the plan encourages a shift away from burning coal during energy generation, while states have the option of upping their renewable energy production, using nuclear energy, increasing their efficiency or relying more on natural gas.

The good news for homeowners is that the plan is projected to decrease the bills you pay to power your residential electrical work. An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that the average home electricity bill could fall by as much as 8 percent, and consumers could save up to $37.4 billion overall in electricity by 2020. The rationale for the savings is that renewable fuel sources cost less to run over time once the initial infrastructure is in place. Also, the plan encourages investments in household energy efficiency, which means that you may come to be less reliant on your home electrical work without substantially changing your behavior.

Clean Air for Breathing

The Clean Power Plan has another ancillary effect that has nothing to do with electrical work: it should cut down on air pollution and create a healthier breathing environment. For example, while we rely on the ozone level high in the sky to block harmful sun rays, ozone at ground level is known by another name – smog. It is created when sunlight interacts with pollutants and can be very harmful to our health. The plan should reduce smog levels and provide us with cleaner air to breathe.

Furthermore, one of the biggest signs of climate change is unusually hot and dry weather in certain parts of the country, which can lead to out-of-control wildfires and harmful particulates that damage your lungs. Strange weather patterns have also been blamed for an increase in allergies this year. By slowing the pace of climate change and keeping harmful pollutants out of the air, the Clean Power Plan can help you breathe easy.

If you have any concerns about the effect the Clean Power Plan will have on your energy prices or electrical work, call a knowledgeable electrician today.