Every home has a fire detection system. This vital safety feature should be well understood. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and security systems give homeowners peace-of-mind. Furthermore, when combined with a security system, these devices work together to form a complete home protection plan.

The second type of detector is an ionization detector. It uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air in an internal chamber. This in turn, generates a voltage that can be measured. By-products of combustion will change the voltage that is generated and trigger the alarm. This type of detector is better at identifying active combustion with little to no smoke.

While both types of smoke detectors will safely alert a homeowner to a fire, combination alarms exist that employ both methods. Consequently, the responsiveness of the whole system increases. Hard-wired detectors are also available which can be wired to trigger all the alarms in a home if anyone detects a problem.

In any appliance that uses combustion, such as a furnace or stove top, a potential exists for hazardous carbon monoxide buildup. This by-product is tasteless, odorless, colorless, and highly toxic in large concentrations. Therefore, a carbon monoxide detector is highly recommended. It will monitor the levels of CO in the air and alert inhabitants before they become dangerous. They are available as stand-alone units that can be plugged in to standard wall outlets or as combination roof-mounted CO and smoke detectors.

Home security systems have been around for decades and make use of a combination of sensors including door, window, glass-break, and motion sensors. Historically, these devices were hard-wired and fed back to a central control panel. Many modern systems make use of wireless sensors that allow for easy retrofitting of existing homes. Door and window sensors utilize a small magnet and magnetic strip held open when the door or window closes. If the magnet is moved away, the magnetic strip springs closed and triggers the alarm.

Glass-break sensors are placed near windows and use a microphone to listen for the distinctive frequencies associated with glass breaking. Motion detectors take advantage of a variety of technologies, such as passive infrared, microwave, or ultrasonic. This technology detects something moving within its range. These can be part of exterior security lights or interior motion sensors. Security cameras can also play a role in home security. Install them indoors or outdoors.

When installed and used properly, a home security system can easily increase home safety while reducing the chances of burglary or fire. Most insurance companies offer discounts for home security systems. Because of this, the entire cost of the system may be offset or eliminated altogether. Be sure to ask your insurance company about discounts to homeowner’s insurance for improving or installing a new security system.

At Kolb Electric, we think it’s always interesting to see what types of calls come in each season. So with that in mind, we’ve put together a short list of the most common issues we take care of every winter, spring, summer, and fall. We hope you don’t have any of these problems any time of year, but if you do, call Kolb Electric!

Space heaters tripping circuit breakers – space heaters consume a huge amount of electricity, and if they are plugged into an outlet on an already overloaded circuit (one used to power holiday lights, for instance), they’re likely to cause it to trip. Circuits trip to prevent damage to the wiring of your electrical system, so knowing which outlets are on which circuits can prevent this from happening.

Kolb Electric offers circuit breaker repair »

Wet electrical connections shorting your GFCI – water and electricity don’t mix, and GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are designed to trip if they get wet. If any electrical device in or outside your home gets wet it could cause part of your home to short out. Knowing where your GFCIs are located and which outlets they control, can remedy this problem. If not, an electrician is your best bet for pinpointing and correcting the problem.

Broken down AC – if your air conditioner suddenly stops working during the summer, the first thing you should do is check the breaker. If it’s tripped, shut off the thermostat and reset the breaker. If it trips again after you turn the thermostat back on, call an electrician.

Window AC tripping circuit breakers – like space heaters in the winter, portable window air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Labeling the breaker connected to high energy-consuming appliances will remind people not to plug things into the same circuit.

Trees falling on meter boxes and risers – DC area springs and falls come with pretty unpredictable weather, which in rare cases can end up in downed trees on your property. Even a light touch from a tree limb can rip the electric meter base and riser off of the outer wall of your house.

Replacing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets –people like to test their GFCIs as part of spring and fall cleaning. So if you find any that need to be replaced, call Kolb Electric!

If you have any electrical problems in Maryland, DC, or Virginia, at any time of year, there’s only one name you need to know: the DC electricians at Kolb Electric!

Electrical installation testing is a practice that has become more important over time. This is due to the increasing complexity of installations in both commercial and residential spaces. When it comes to electrical work, the top priority is always going to be safety. This focus is the reason electrical standards and wiring regulations exist in the first place. Electrical installation testing serves the purpose of identifying any possible deficiencies. These shortcomings could be areas in which an electrical system doesn’t meet regulations.

It’s important to have older electrical systems looked over to ensure they’re still in good working condition. At the same time, new installations need an inspection to make sure they conform to today’s stringent standards. You might also feel inclined to have testing done if you’ve recently purchased a building with preexisting installations. If you’re curious about what makes electrical installation testing so complex, or if you’re wondering why only a professional should be doing it, read on for more information.

There are different phases of an electrical installation to keep in mind. The first step is to perform a visual inspection, which is exactly what it sounds like — an expert will confirm the permanently wired electrical components are compliant with safety regulations. He or she will make sure there are no outward signs of damage, and that the required safety measures are present.

After the visual inspection, electrical testing begins. This is where having a qualified individual working becomes even more critical. Everything from specialized training to safety-oriented clothing is necessary for this aspect. In fact, non-authorized people might have to keep a certain distance away from the testing itself.

The testing will cover a building’s wiring, as well as its various components. This can include electrical panels, outlets, distribution boards and lighting. Essentially, the examination covers all systems that conduct electricity within a building. The electrician will use the tests to make sure every necessary precaution is in place to reduce the risks of injury or death due to electrical shock.

In some cases, the testing will call for exploratory work to complete the job as effectively and safely as possible. Parts of the system might need to be temporarily shut off for this. This means you should make sure you don’t have something important — and electricity-based — going on while the installation testing is taking place.

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are piling up higher and there’s a hint of pumpkin spice in the air. This can mean only one thing – Fall is near. This change in weather patterns and temperature will undoubtedly bring new challenges to electrical safety around the household. In order to stay safe and get the most out of your fall electrical services, please take advantage of the following 5 Expert Electric tips for Fall:

Although nobody enjoys the packing and storage of their Spring and Summer electrical household items, it’s a necessary chore that helps significantly protect the household from unnecessary electrical hazards. When packing up these electrical items, it’s imperative that they are stored safely and strategically in order to protect them from severe weather conditions. This includes warm weather tools such as lawn mowers, trimmers or any other electrical devices. It is also important to drain these household items of any leftover gas or fuel.

For outdoor projects that require electrical equipment, it is necessary to ensure that the equipment is weatherproof. Any lawn mowers, leaf blowers or other equipment should be able to withstand the cold weather, rain or snow that often comes with Fall. If you’re unsure whether or not your electrical tools are weatherproof, feel free to contact our team of electricians at Expert Electric.

Dry leaves are often overlooked as an electrical danger. To ensure your household’s safety in Fall, keep all dry leaves away from any electrical equipment including lighting, cords and outlets. Make this part of your household routine and get into the habit of cleaning up all the dry leaves.

It’s best to get an early start on this tip and get it out of the way before the cold weather and rain roll in. Set aside a couple of hours on the weekend to inspect all outdoor electrical wiring and cords to ensure they are damage-free. Even a small rip or tear in an electrical cord can make any devices susceptible to danger.

Since you will already be setting aside some time to inspect your electrical wiring and cords, take a few hours to also review all outdoor electrical equipment for any damage. This includes pools, hot tubs, saunas and more. Ensure that all of the equipment is operating properly and that any damage is fully addressed and handled before severe weather conditions roll through.

Have any questions about fall safety tips or electrical services? Expert Electric has all the answers! Please visit out contact page for a local number near you or fill out one of our online forms.  The Expert Electric team of licensed electricians is here to ensure all of your fall electrical projects are handled safely and efficiently.

Buying an older house always comes with a certain amount of risk. The history and craftsmanship might be appealing, but even the most attractive aesthetics can hide expensive repair projects.

Frequently, old homes will quickly prove to be in desperate need of carpentry help, re-painting or maybe even an exterminator. Perhaps the most common issue an older property will have is a badly outdated electrical system.

The average American home would've been built in the early 1980s, and many older properties are still being sold. Many of these houses still haven't been rewired to deal with the demands of modern devices and appliances. The evidence will be in sparse electrical outlets, lights dimming when you turn on other appliances or breakers that seem to trip for the smallest electrical loads. If you find yourself taking too many climbs up ladders for blown bulbs or too many trips into the basement to the breaker box, consider overhauling your electrical system

The older your system the bigger the project you'll be looking at. Old houses may lack access to spaces where the wires themselves need to be replaced instead of just rerouted.  Projects like this may have to be done piece-meal over time. Materials alone could cost over $1000.