Because of our home state’s ample supply of oil, Texas isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when people hear the term “green energy.” However, recent research is showing that Texans may be embracing renewable solutions more than the rest of the country is giving them credit for.

A new report released by Choose Energy, a San Francisco-based company that helps people choose energy plans within deregulated electricity markets (like that of Texas) revealed some data that may surprise people. The company found that Texas residents select 100% green energy plans more than any other state, with 1 in 3 customers choosing renewable-sourced electricity plans (i.e. electricity coming from wind or solar power). That’s more than both Connecticut and New York, two states that most people would expect to have exponentially higher numbers of green customers. However, in both markets, fewer than 10 percent of customers were selecting green plans.

We generate more electricity than any other state in the U.S. In 2012 alone, Texas pumped out 14,201 trillion BTUs of electricity. To put this number into perspective: Montana, the nation’s #2 producer of electricity, only generated 9,611 trillion BTUs in the same year.

But not only do we produce the most electricity, we also produce more green energy than any other state! We have over 100 wind power plants across the state. In fact, we lead the nation in wind-generated electricity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that in 2013, our state generated around 36 million megawatt hours of electricity from wind energy. If that weren’t enough, our solar industry continues to grow as well.

Renewable energy is both plentiful and affordable in the Lone Star State, so it makes sense that more and more customers are jumping on the green bandwagon every year. But Choose Energy also suggests that even in situations where green energy might be more costly than “brown” energy, Texans still opt for the more environmentally-conscious plan in support of energy independence.

Even with our reputation as an oil-friendly state, Texas is leading the way in green electricity. As a company committed to reducing our own energy consumption and creating a healthier, safer world, we’re excited to see so many people adopting renewable, sustainable solutions for their energy needs. When consumers purchase 100% green plans, it increases the demand for efficient energy, which propels the green sector even further into success.

Spring brings with it a myriad of home repair and remodeling projects, many of which require electrical wiring or installations. Unfortunately, it is also a prime season for contractor scams, including those that involve so-called electricians. Learning how to spot these con-artists can help ensure you don’t get taken advantage of—keep reading to see our tips!

Knowing the tell-tale signs of electrical scams is key to recognizing these ne’er-do-wells early and sending them on their way without any of your money in their pockets. Below are just a few that should alert you of possible electrician scams:

At Kolb Electric, we employ only the most skilled and trust-worthy electricians. We’ve been helping Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area homeowners for over 90 years and have built a reputation based on our honest, reliable service. We understand that electrical terms can be confusing to most homeowners, so we make sure we take the time to explain everything that’s needed for your project—and the cost—before we start any work.

Some electrical problems are harder to detect than others. That’s why, when trying to diagnose home problems, one of the best ways to quickly get to the bottom of the situation is with an infrared thermographic inspection. But what are the benefits of this inspection? Let the experts at Kolb Electric help!

When combined with traditional home inspection techniques, the infrared thermography inspection method reveals considerably more about your house than can be seen with conventional inspection tools. Some things our infrared thermography inspections have detected include:

The controller keeps on monitoring the application requirement in a continuous control loop. It then commands the inverter to produce the required voltage and frequency to meet the application requirements. To do this, the controller, comprised of a microprocessor, takes the input signal from the sensor and compares this with a reference signal. It then generates the appropriate control signal for the inverter to vary its output power.

In a typical application, the controller will monitor process parameters such as pressure, flow rate, temperature or liquid level. For example, an oxygen sensor in a boiler provides a signal to adjust the speed of the fan and control the amount of oxygen in the boiler system.

Today’s drives, using microprocessors, semiconductor power switches, and SMDs are now smaller, compact, cheaper, more reliable and efficient. A typical drive will also include a filter to suppress harmonics generated when converting the DC to AC voltage.