Don’t sweat the small stuff; Change it up, lighten your load and keep cool this summer with innovative and energy-efficient light source solutions and state-of-the-art ceiling fans and free standing fans.

1.  Stop baking in your kitchen!  Get rid of old incandescent and hot halogen bulbs.  Replace with cooler CFL’s (compact fluorescents) or LED’s (light-emitting diodes) in recessed and overhead fixtures. CFLs and LEDs** consume at least 75% less energy and emit 90% less heat.  Relamping with cooler bulbs will make a major difference in work areas of the home such as kitchens where oven, cook-top and dishwasher usage emit a great deal of heat.  Laundry rooms, too, can heat up pretty quickly when machines are in use, so update your illumination with cooler lamps. Also, switching to cooler bulbs in offices and hobby/work areas will vastly improve your ability to concentrate and keep cool.

2.  Shield yourself from sun streaming in through windows. Close the shades and curtains during peak daylight hours to keep the sun from fading your fine fabrics and overheating your rooms.

3.  Conserve energy and do not leave lights on haphazardly.  Consider automated heat and motion sensors to conveniently turn lights on and off.  Dimming ambient light sources adds an extra cool down option and helps save energy.  Brilliant and stylish cool new switches, automated fan and lighting controls provide the utmost in sophistication and design to revamp your home this summer!

4.  Opt for task light, and limit usage of general and accent light sources.  Task light includes focused reading lamps, uni-directional and adjustable recessed or track lights over work areas, and security lighting for safe navigation.  Although accent lamps enhance the beauty of your environment, save them for the times when you are entertaining or showcasing your home.

5. Beautify your environment and bask in the comfort of ceiling fans, wall fans and free-standing fans. Save on air-conditioning bills and keep cool by employing energy-efficient fans in rooms that are used most frequently.

♦When the air temperature is 78 degrees, your body will feel as if it is 72 degrees if you are seated under a ceiling fan operating at a low speed. Plentiful cooling options include innovations from Casablanca, Fanimation, Hunter, Kichler and Savoy House.

♦Purchase lamps, light fixtures and fans from a reputable dealer.  Top quality LED and CFL lamps are engineered to last and provide pleasant illumination.  Cheaper LED and CFL lamps may contain substandard elements; they may burn out prematurely and  illumination effects may be less pleasing. The best ceiling fans are engineered with motors that are guaranteed to last and work flawlessly for a lifetime of comfort.

Lighten Up, Cool Down and Revel in Summer 2013!

Bring on the summer heat, and power up the latest in sophisticated design and energy-saving innovation.  Pairing ceiling fans and air conditioners set at low fan settings offers the ultimate in comfort and energy-savings.

1.  ENERGY STARtm-rated fans:

2. The greater the angle of the blade, the more air circulation. Fan blade brackets should be positioned so the blades form a 12-15 degree angle for optimal circulation.

3.  The heart of every ceiling fan is the motor. Motors equipped with heavy-duty windings and sealed bearings that are permanently lubricated should work flawlessly for long periods of time.  Check out motor warranty information when comparing ceiling fans.

4.  A typical ceiling fan weighs between 15 and 50 pounds when fully assembled.  While many junction boxes may support that weight, a fan in operation exerts additional stresses. Be sure to upgrade to a proper junction box when replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan.

5.  American Lighting Association (ALA)-member showrooms offer customizable fan products—decorator finishes, unique options such as hand-carved blades, custom light fixtures, ceiling medallions, and control systems, as well as installation tips and servicing advice.

Check out the latest energy-efficient products to keep you cool for the dog days of August….

–Energy-efficient and “cool” new bulbs from Bulbrite Industries* include the LED G5 dimmable Omni-Directional Series with GU 24 base options and 5-Watt chandelier bulbs.

*Bulbrite offers top quality lamps from novelty colors, fluorescent, halogen, and krypton/xenon to outstanding award winning LEDs and CFLs.  Enjoy all the benefits of LED, CFL and energy-efficient incandescent light sources from Bulbrite.

From Lite Source:  LS-21680 “Rubik” Energy Smart LED lamp

Multimax ™ by Fanimation, Energy-Star rated and available in 2, 3 or 4 blade options.

— The Sleep Fan Standing Floor Fan by Savoy House, available in Cherrywood, English Bronze, Satin Nickel and Wrought Iron Black; UL-listed for damp locations, comes with a independent volume control to adjust sound according to sleep preference—the lowered frequency red noise has proven to promote better sleep*.

Over 50 million people sleep with some kind of fan device for the soothing tone and the air circulation they provide. –David Furnace of Savoy House

Utilizing “red noise” * and a revolutionary volume control, the Sleep Fan delivers a soothing tone to lull you to sleep, while the gentle cooling system keeps you comfortable throughout the night.

*Studies show that “red” noise delivers low tones with the absence of high frequencies to induce a more soothing, deeper sleep than white noise.

If you’re in the market for a new generator, then you’re off to the great start. We offer unparalleled service and exceptional workmanship when it comes to finding our customers a whole house or portable generator for their homes. But there are several things to consider if you want to make an informed decision. Whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re shopping for a comprehensive backup for your large home, it’s critical that you get in touch with a professional electrician early on. Only a knowledgeable and skilled technician can advise you as to which make and model of generator would work best for you.

It is the time of year parent’s relish—back to school. Summer has come to an end and it is time to gear up for fall sports and cooler temperatures. It is time to open the windows and enjoy the cool breezes that freshen the home and break up that stale humid air that has been trapped inside all summer long. Along with the cool fall temperatures comes the pesky flies. There is a way to keep your house cool, even on those warm days, while creating enough of a breeze flies won’t want to hang out for long. A ceiling fan will help stir the air in your house, giving you that fresh feeling you have longed for all summer and help deter flies. It is time to get a ceiling fan installed by an electrician in Los Angeles like those at The Electric Connection.

A ceiling fan is a fixture that not only serves multiple purposes, but it also looks great in any room. Your fan will help keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter and give the entire room a nice, fresh feeling. You are probably wondering how a fan is going to keep you warm. Well, when your furnace is on or you have your woodstove going, the heat is floating up to the ceiling. That doesn’t do you any good explains an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners do not want to waste electricity or wood by heating the ceiling.

A ceiling fan helps to push the hot air down into the room, making the room and you warmer. In the summer, the breeze feels nice and the spinning blades pull the hot air up to the ceiling where you won’t feel it. A Los Angeles electrician can explain more about how this works. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your ceiling fan installation.

Home rewiring is a topic that many people are not familiar with. Besides the value of correcting any electrical safety issues, a new electrical rewire has many other advantages to offer. For example, having upgraded wiring can determine when and how you can use your electrical outlets, if you can accommodate air conditioning, and/or if your home or business can handle the load of today’s heavy duty appliances, multiple computers and more.

Here are some good indicators that a home rewire is in order from a Glendale electrician:

Instead of worrying over the state of your home or business electrical system, why not have an electrician Glendale residents recommend take a look at your home? After all, your home is much more likely to maintain its value over time if it meets both legal and common use electrical standards. Since most homes or businesses today create a high electrical demand, it is a good idea to make sure you have the best and most upgraded electrical system possible.

Finding an electrical contractor with experience in complete rewiring projects is essential. The Electric Connectionhas the expertise you’ll need, and we’re standing by to help you with your rewire or any other type of electrical projects that you might have. Why take chances with your home when professional help is just a few clicks away? Visit TheElectricConnection.com to learn more about our company and our mission to provide fast, friendly service at an affordable price.