Have you ever gone on a long vacation, or even just gone away for a night and left a minor child or a pet behind? Were you able to enjoy your trip without concerning yourself about what was going on at home? Or were you constantly distracted by thoughts of “what if?”

Chances are that even if you trust that nothing will happen, there’s always that nagging feeling that something could go wrong. The good news is, there’s an easy way to gain back the peace of mind that you deserve: a robust home security system.

Home security cameras have become increasingly popular in recent years. Also, through home automation technology, they can be fully monitored and controlled from your phone, so you can rest easy knowing that your home and family is safe. Home automation is another innovation that’s become more popular recently—not only is it used to control security but also HVAC systems, audio, and lighting.

The installation of a home security automation system in complex and labor intensive—not a task you want to take on yourself or trust to just any average handyman off of the street. It’s wise to ensure that you hire the best professional company you can find for service.

The technology behind these systems is always changing and undergoing new developments. A security system is not much good if you cannot depend on it when you need it. The same goes if you need repairs done on your home security system. Even the simplest of systems (a standard alarm) can experience malfunctions and failures over the years. Fortunately, we have the tools and knowledge to resolve your home security issues.

The designer’s choice is Arteriors Home.  Experience the finest in home décor: chandeliers, lamps, wall décor, accessories and furniture from Arteriors Home.  The latest vendor to bring superbly crafted home lighting and accessories to 1800lighting.com.

Arteriors Home is one of the best lighting and home accessory resources in America.  Come see exquisite new lamps, chandeliers, wall décor and novel accent pieces and get acquainted with Arteriors at 1800lighting.com.

Arteriors Home offers a large selection of traditional, casual and modern lamps, as well as, original and trend worthy accent furniture.  All new product lines and designer collections incorporate original and artistic concepts developed from around the world. With a fashion forward and irresistible appeal, Arteriors at 1800lighting.com provides artistic lighting compostions for the most distinguished consumers.

Ceiling fixtures include jeweled items, substantial chromed and brass-plated finishing, and exquisite glass elements.  Chandeliers feature unique configurations and compositions highlighting natural elements intertwined with fine metalwork.  Be sure to check out innovative lamps and chandeliers featuring seashells, ornate chains and carved wood that are brilliantly crafted into the latest home lighting designs!

Matching families of ceiling light fixtures are available in a choice of five sizes, many of which have matching wall sconces for a complete fluid lighting design.

The world is getting more connected, and machines are collecting massive amounts of data about consumer habits. In the energy sector, the rise of big data is poised to revolutionize the way utility companies provide electricity to homeowners. That's good news for you – the more information you have at hand, the more opportunities you’ll have to save money. Read on to find out how big data may affect you in the near future.

Machines Learning the Patterns

Analyzing the patterns inside the enormous amounts of information provided by big data is known as machine learning. By letting computers do the heavy lifting, analysts can discover trends and efficiencies that no one would ever think to look for. Ultimately, what we learn from data analysis will trickle down and impact your interactions with any appliance or device that is electrical. Work conducted by machines will show humans the best way to move forward.

IntelligentUtility.com recently listed seven ways that machine learning can affect the relationship between you and your utility provider:

In the meantime, if you need tips about how to save energy or need electrical work performed on your home, call a qualified electrician today.

If you need some work down around the house, you may be tempted to look for one of the least expensive people you can find. Calling a name you found on Craigslist or calling the friend of a friend who does things around the house is not a good idea. There are several very good reasons you should only call a certified electrician in Santa Monica like those at The Electric Connection.

Insurance

If a mistake is made on the part of the electrician and the home suffers damage, you may risk your home owner insurance payout. Many insurance companies require you to use a certified, licensed and insured professional in your home. This gives the insurance company somebody to hold accountable should something go wrong.

Training

A Santa Monica electrician who is certified will have had to have passed some tests to receive their certification. This is one way to test their knowledge about electricity before they ever step foot in your home. The certification process also guarantees the certified electrician has some hands-on knowledge and training. If you choose to hire somebody who isn’t certified, you risk getting someone who doesn’t have any real knowledge.

Guarantees

When you hire a professional, you have some sort of guarantee the work will be completed up to code and will be safe. Hiring somebody off the street could leave you with a bigger mess and no recourse. You need to be able to have somebody to hold accountable.

Your home is a huge investment. It just makes sense you would only trust it to a certified electrician. Santa Monica homeowners cannot afford to risk their investment. Your home as well as the safety of your family while in the home is far too important. Call The Electric Connection if you need any electrical repairs and you can take comfort knowing you are getting a certified, professional electrician to work in your home.

What’s more important than reliable access to electricity? Safe and reliable access to electricity! We use tools and appliances every day. Heck every hour. And in some instances, every minute. But generally speaking, we don’t really pay much mind to how safe we’re being with it. But you should. Accidents happen all the time (and if you like statistics, boy we’ve got ‘em right here!), and whether you think it could happen to you or not, the fact of the matter is we put ourselves at risk all the time.

This is why it is outright critical that we ensure we’re taking all of the steps we can to protect ourselves, our homes, and our loved ones. Luckily, safety isn’t all that hard, and really takes a minimal time investment. Here at Kolb Electric, your safety is the top priority to our Alexandria electricians. So take a moment to read up! You might learn something new.

Regarding Electrical Supply

First off, to use any appliance safely, you should always keep in mind the right places to use them relative to your home’s safe supply. We’re talking, of course, about dedicated circuits. We’ve spoken of them many times, but it’s important because ensuring the proper appliances get the proper setup is key to operating them safely. Appliances that should be on dedicated circuits include:

Also, if your appliance is going to be near water sources (kitchen/bathroom appliances), be sure they are plugged into a GFCI outlet. Don’t have GFCI outlets? Looks like it’s time for some installation!

Using Power Strips for Your Appliances

Don’t “daisy-chain”, be sure you’re using indoor for indoor, outdoor for outdoor, never cover your cords (generates dangerous heat), and don’t exceed the safe capacity. Also never use power strips or extension cords to power heaters or other high-wattage appliances. They weren’t designed to handle that much power, and they may overheat/catch on fire.

General Appliance Safety Tips from Our Alexandria Electricians

Rules of thumb that promote safety are a great idea, and our Alexandria electricians are here to give you the rundown!

Need the services of a certified electrician to beef up your home safety? From outlet installation to wire repair, our experts have you covered! Contact Kolb to learn about our services, or to set your appointment today!