With the kind of Maryland weather we’ve been having this month, you’d think we live in a subtropical climate! And while steady rain can be relaxing and good for those of us who raise a garden, it can pose some risks as well. What risks? Well, there’s always the usual dangers of a storm, but what we specifically want to cover is water damaged wiring.

The certified electricians at Kolb Electric take your safety and the safety of your home seriously, so if you’re at risk for damaged wiring, we want you to know what to do! Suspect you may have water damaged wiring in your home or business? Contact Kolb today!

You hear us going on and on about the dangers of electrical equipment, but we do this for a reason. It only takes a split-second mistake and zap; you’re in some serious trouble! Left alone, water-damaged electrical wiring can:

If and only if you have had submerged wires that have since dried out, and these wires have been totally shut off (at the breaker in the electrical panel) you may be able to utilize heavy-duty work gloves to move the wires. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. Only do this if leaving the wire poses an immediate risk that must be resolved. Otherwise, just let the experts do it. Never take chances that may harm you or someone else.

Having trouble with your wiring after the downpours we’ve been dealing with here in Maryland? Contact the specialists at Kolb to get the repair and replacement you need!

This months roundup post is for the month of November, 2016. It’s been a crazy month, but nonetheless; happy thanksgiving!

This month has been filled with tons of crazy news, and we are about to share it all with you in this months LED lighting link roundup. From insects and LEDs to towns and cities retrofitting their streetlights, we are going to cover these and many more in this edition.

Now… Here is the third addition of A Month in The LED Lighting Industry Link Roundup…

Several Cities Convert To LED Streetlights In Conservation Efforts

Listen (or read) in on this conversion where they talk about cities that have made the conversions, what it has done, and who is planning to convert next. It’s exciting stuff to hear about all of these cities making the conversion, especially since they are all saving money and producing better light.

East Lyme to begin retrofitting streetlight with LEDs

This town is making a smart move by retrofitting their streetlights throughout the town. Not only will they save in energy consumption reductions, but they will also reduce initial investment costs by Insects and LED Lights New Research

How are wildlife and insects affected by outdoor LEDs? This *video* goes over the topic, and how they may be affecting insects specifically.

LEDs Light Up Indoor Farming and Marijuana Cultivation

Marijuana growing is becoming a huge industry, and quickly too. LED technology is making growers be able to turn a better profit all while growing better crop.

LEDs come in rainbow colours

A new way to achieve various vibrant colors is making it cheaper and more efficient to do so. Learn how it’s done by reading this one!

New LEDs may offer better way to clean water in remote areas

Engineers at The Ohio State University are developing foil based LEDs which will allow people to purify water for drinking and sterilize medical equipment on the go.

Would you like to suggest an interesting piece of news or related topic to LED lighting for future publications of our lighting link roundups? Simply comment below and we will consider it for future publications!

In my 27 years, I have heard these questions a lot: “Why is it so hard to find the top electrician for my electrical repairs? There are so many choices and my problem seems so easy, any electrician should be able to do it. Does it matter who I call? Aren’t all electricians the same? How do I find an expert electric man?” – Nick Shaeffer

The answer is no – not all Twitter, Google Plus.

As a local Dallas and Plano electrician. wants to make it a little easier for local residents and businesses to prepare for power outages that can come with higher stress on the power grid during extreme weather. With temperatures well into triple digits, and yesterday’s announcement by ERCOT of an Energy Emergency Level 1 Power Watch, power supplies are straining to keep up. It is very important to ensure that you are prepared for a situation where you may find yourself without electricity.

Here are the top ten items to keep in mind when preparing for a power outage in your area.

To audit or not to audit? This can be a simply answered question when you consider the array of benefits gained from an energy audit. The switch to more energy efficient solutions could really be a benefit for your business.

An energy audit is an in-depth, outside to inside, room-by-room examination of your business’ current energy efficiency levels and usage practices. Taking this information and the level of savings you’d like to achieve into account, a customized plan can then be developed, focusing on cost-effective solutions for maximizing functionality and efficiency while minimizing your business’ energy usage and expenses.   

A professional audit pays for itself, offering you the opportunity to discover the most effective ways to cut operating costs through energy efficient improvements. How much can it save? The average commercial building wastes thirty percent of its energy dollars, meaning an investment in efficiency can return, on average, $1.50 for every dollar invested.  

By identifying and rectifying potentially dangerous problems, particularly in older buildings, auditors can detect possible health and safety risks such as carbon monoxide from improperly operating or improperly vented combustion equipment, radon leaks, and more.

Improvements in insulation and air sealing reduce heat transfer, leading to a more stable, efficiently heated and cooling space. This increased comfort through an improved thermal envelope can lead to not only increased productivity, but also a reduction in utility costs for you.

Energy audits not only protect the environment by reducing fossil fuel pollution, but also ensure a more secure energy future for everyone. Even addressing something as simple as lighting efficiency can net big results.

Rebates, tax credits and other incentives may be available toward your energy audit in efforts to encourage reduced energy usage and the conservation of natural resources. Contact your local utility company to learn more about the opportunity for a free or reduced price energy audit for your business. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website also lists programs available to you, including grants and loans to assist your business in making energy efficient upgrades.

To ensure a successful audit, it’s necessary to provide detailed building information, including function, floor plans, orientation, copies of past utility bills, an equipment list, notes on existing issues, updates you’d like to achieve, and more. Talk to a Mr. Electrical® service professional prior to your audit for details. Please click here to see example energy audits from our company.

Promote the sustainability of your bottom line - and the planet - by contacting Mr. Electric to schedule your commercial energy audit today.