The “Broche” pendant, available in an Antique Gold or Antique Silver finish, features a leaf-like bouquet in wrought iron suspended by a decorative chain-link.  This restoration vintage fixture is also available in a mixed-metal combination for the epitome of high-style.

“Middlefield,” a rustic and chic restoration vintage masterpiece, presents a historic feel in Solid Distressed wood and steel with an Iron Rust finish.  The pear-shaped finial,  superbly crafted and detailed, adds to the elegance and stature of this outstanding over five-foot tall chandelier.

The “Livingston” pendant from Murray Feiss presents restoration vintage style with a modern twist.  Finished in a choice of High-Gloss Gray or High-Gloss White, the caged rounded dome delivers a soothing illumination through the dual Clear glass surrounded by a Sandblast outer layer of glass.

“Reel” from Varaluz Lighting is reminiscent of the vintage movie reel. This spherical composition delivers a modest charm and sophistication in a rich Rustic Bronze finish fashionably illuminated by three decorative slender vintage light sources.

“121 Main” from Troy Lighting provides a brilliant display of illumination in a creative and surprising mix of whimsy and elegance.  Hand-worked wrought iron supporting a cascade of pressed glass beer bottles delivers the dazzle of a formal crystal chandelier, while the Old Silver accented with Brass finish, signature “wrecking ball” center and dangling bottle opener elevate this restoration vintage style with an original and playful vigor.

The Dallas Market

In the past, most utility lines were strung overhead; in this day and age public utilities have gone underground. Everything from telephone lines, to cable television lines, to gas and power lines, and even sewer lines are buried at varying depths. It is important to handle these lines with care. A knick or a cut to any of these lines can disrupt your residential utility service.

In Colorado, smart digging means calling 811 before you start any outdoor job to have your utility lines located and marked. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 811 before every digging job ensures your underground utility lines are marked for free, and helps prevent undesired consequences. *

Though electrical lines may look harmless, high-voltage lines used to conduct electricity from one place to another can be hazardous or even deadly if a person accidentally comes into contact with one. Failing to call before you dig means that a piece of excavating equipment or a hand tool like a shovel or spade could inadvertently sever an electrical transmission line. This means any type of digging, whether you are planting trees and shrubs, re-anchoring your mailbox, or even placing landscaping edging has a potential hazard.

Depending on the size of the line that is cut, the damage might result in power loss to the home where the damage occurred and to other nearby homes and businesses. In a worst-case scenario, the line damaged could be a major transmission line serving a large area that would completely lose power until service is restored. Workers and homeowners in the vicinity of a severed electrical line are also at risk of electrocution if they touch the line itself or are in contact with a piece of metal equipment that touches an exposed electrical line.

* Taken from Xcel Energy, co811.org

Electric cars like the Tesla are rapidly growing in popularity—more so than any type of car in the industry. At some point, it’s safe to assume that vehicle powered primarily by electricity will be the standard for the automotive industry, so it’s important for the infrastructure in the U.S. to change in order support electric vehicles. Electric cars save energy, promote health, and are environmentally friendly, so they can offer a number of great benefits, and if you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle, it’s important that you prepare your home for the change.

When it comes to residential Tesla and other electric vehicle chargers, it’s generally recommended that you install a Level 2 charger. Here some basic information about Level 2 charging devices:

Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are what most homeowners have access to. Level 1 electric vehicle chargers use standard household outlets, and it’s common for electric cars to come with Level 1 charging cords that cna be directly plugged into your home’s outlets. The downside of Level 1 chargers is that they’re limited to about 120 volts, which means that they can take up to 22 hours to charge your car.

Level 1 chargers are probably not a feasible option unless your car is a plug-in hybrid.

Our professional Princeton electricians recommend Level 2 chargers for residential electric vehicle charging. Level 2 chargers supply 240 volts of electricity to your car, so they can significantly reduce charging times. You’ll be able to fully charge your car in as few as three to four hours.

Installing Level 2 chargers will probably require some adjustments to your home’s electrical wiring, but our Princeton electricians will be able to handle the job.

The primary benefit of a Level 2 charger is the significant reduction in charging time. You’ll be able to charge your car much more quickly, which gives you more flexibility when it comes to using your automobile. Your car can easily be fully charged over night, or while you enjoy a meal and complete some household duties.

Level 2 chargers can also help you save money on your electrical expenses. They’ll allow you to charge your vehicle at strategic times when electrical demand is lower. You can take advantage of lower electrical costs during the night, which help maximize energy savings on an already efficient vehicle.

American’s across the nation will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day next weekend.  Green banners, drinks, shirts, and decorations of all kinds will be out in full force as we celebrate heritage and friends.  Then again, why limit being green to just one weekend?  Why limit it to outer colors and anti-pinching shirts?  This weekend is a great time to start planning for how to improve the energy footprint of your home and start the path towards a greener life.  The best news?  While some methods for turning your home green require a little bit of upfront cost, most don’t!

Cleaning – Strange isn’t it?  A clean home, free of dust, actually improves energy efficiency.  Dust clogs air ducts and coats heating elements and pipes.  If the back of your refrigerator is dusty it will cool less efficiently since it can’t release heat properly.  Dusting and cleaning your home will help reduce stress on your appliances and improve their energy efficiency.

Regulate Heat – You can reduce how often your central air runs during the day and night by regulating and preserving the heat within your home.  While you may need to improve insulation to prevent heat transfer, you can reduce it by closing your curtains and opening them.  Just remember that heat always travels to where it’s coldest, so use curtains to block heat from travelling where it shouldn’t.

Turn Off Lights and Appliances – Yes, we use many smart systems today, but turning off lights and leaving power—hungry devices unplugged is still one of the best ways to prevent energy loss each month.

Water Heaters – These units expend a great deal of energy to keep water hot for your home.  Insulate the tank and the pipes around it to keep water warm for longer.  If you haven’t ever had the unit maintained, call a plumber to drain and clean out the tank.  Sediment reduces heating efficiency in the unit.

Expensive but Effective Energy Solutions

If you’re willing to spend a little money you can get even greater increase on home energy efficiency.  The first step is to replace your lighting.  Upgrading to CFL or LED lamps is an excellent way to reduce both your light bill and your cooling costs during the summer.  We recommend swapping out lights as needed to reduce startup costs.  Though it’s best to purchase LEDs in packs from the same manufacturer to make sure that they have the same color temperature.

Upgrades and replacements are ideal for energy efficiency.  Replacing an inefficient appliance, whether it’s a dish washer, water heater, or furnace, is going to have huge benefits when it comes time to pay your monthly bill.  And you’ll find that many of these appliances are eligible for an energy rebate credit to help with the initial costs.

Finally, upgrading your home with solar panels is one of the best ways to turn your home into the greenest building on the block.  They’re expensive, but solar panels can replace the costs for heating, cooling, and light in your home completely.

For the best in quality electrical repair work and installations, contact the professionals at Custom Electric!  Be sure to check back here each week for helpful advice, news, and guides or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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