The lighting industry has been busy as ever this month, from the slow-climbing successes of LED adoption to the discovery of new galaxies. Have you kept up? Allow us to offer a taste…

It’s only a matter of time before LEDs make serious headway into the retrofit market. Forbes predicts that by 2021, LEDs will make up approximately half of all retrofits in a market where they currently only make up about 5%. Read more…

Cree and Home Depot recently partnered to offer more affordable LED light bulbs to consumers. Nasdaq predicts that Wal-Mart will soon follow, based on a recent announcement from GE about lowering the price of their Great Value LEDs (sold at Wal-Mart). Image via houzz.com

There is an art to proper bathroom lighting, and it involves a lot more strategy than you’d think! For one, this author adamantly believes you should not light a mirror from above because it casts unsightly shadows on your face. Read more…

Spring is approaching and many families are feeling the fatigue of winter’s hardships. What better time to travel than now? Many families are just trying to get away from the cold. Booking a trip can be exciting, but have you ever arrived at your destination and said “where am I supposed to plug in my hair dryer?” or “how am I going to charge my phone?”

Let’s be honest, the last thing on your mind when packing for any vacation is bringing that adapter along with you. Often times we are such in a hurry to pack we tend to forget that not every country has the same outlets as we do.

Here are some easy steps to help you get organized while traveling and how to take the charge with you wherever you go.

In the US and Canada the average voltage is 120 volt per residential home. However, when traveling abroad the voltage is quite different. For example, Europe’s standard house will use 240 volt, which is substantially more voltage than the average North American home.

Before purchasing a travel charger or a universal adaptor always read the label on the back of the packaging to ensure you are getting the right voltage amounts for the right countries. Doing so will ensure you won’t end up with a damaged device, appliance or blown fuse.

Whether its bringing the spark alive in a relationship, or just traveling with friends and family, remember to bring the charge with you!

If you have determined you need an electrician, you are probably wondering how to best find the right electrician for you and your needs. It can be tough to find an electrician in Santa Monica you can trust to get the job done right without overcharging you or doing work that is substandard. You can always count on the crew at The Electric Connection to provide you with excellent service every time. The following tips will help you find the perfect electrician for your needs. Yes, you do have the right to “interview” potential candidates.

Do not waste your time or money by hiring an electrician who is unlicensed. Ask for the license number if it is not readily available on their business card.

Ask if the electrician is insured and for how much. If the electrician isn’t insured for at least $500k, it is best to look elsewhere. Although this may seem like a lot of money, it doesn’t take much to burn through that much money if there is major damage or injury caused by faulty wiring.

Ask to see references or ask for numbers of clients who have used the electrician’s services in the past. Do your due diligence and make the phone calls. You can also check Angie’s List and online for reviews.

Ask the potential electrician how they go about the job. Will they give you updates about the status of a job? Will they contact you about unforeseen expenses that might pop up before making the decision to tack the extra money on to your bill? Communication is crucial when you are dealing with any contractor.

Ask if there will be a detailed estimate of the job. You need to know just what kind of Santa Monica electrical work you are paying for. An estimate will help you budget and compare prices to other electricians.

If you need a reliable and reputable electrician, give The Electric Connection a call.