Anytime you find yourself wanting an electrical safety inspection, it’s important to know what kinds of questions you need to ask. A lot of the time people are stuck with hidden fees or things that they are unaware of due to the lack of curiosity. Even if it seems so simple, it’s always best to ask the right questions to an electrician especially when it comes down to your home’s safety and your family’s well-being. When you see the lights start to flicker or your outdated electrical system giving you trouble, it’s time to call for a repair or maintenance check. Having an electrical safety inspection by a professional contractor will help flag any warning signs that might arise in the future. So here are some questions that can prepare you so you know what to ask when it’s time to conduct an electrical safety inspection.

Usually, when we want to hire somebody we always like to know that who we’re hiring has had an education within that field. However, when it comes to hiring an electrician to conduct an electrical safety inspection, experience and how much of it is especially important. Experienced professionals not only have seen a lot and can provide effective solutions, but they also recognize the importance of high-quality performance and customer service. By asking about their experience, you’ll be able to determine how qualified that contractor is to handle your electrical safety inspection.

When it comes time for an electrical safety inspection, you want to make sure hire an electrician that has a valid electrical contractor’s license. This will make you feel more comfortable knowing that the person you’re hiring is educated and trained to perform a high-quality electrical safety inspection since they are being held to a high standard as a licensed professional.

During an electrical safety inspection, things may come up where the electrician might either want to fix or restore a certain business. So, asking about an estimate and whether additional work is covered is always a great question to ask.

Does your circuit breaker keep tripping? Do you constantly have to go through the process of resetting your breaker to get your necessary electrical systems back on? At Kolb Electric, we know this is one of the more frustrating electrical issues you can deal with on a regular basis.

So what causes a tripped circuit breaker? An overloaded circuit is the most common reason for a breaker tripping and usually happens when a circuit has more electrical load connected to it than it really should have. Let’s say you have a 15 Amp circuit breaker that is protecting a 15 Amp circuit. If 20 Amps of current start flowing through it because a toaster, TV, radio, and space heater were all connected to the same circuit and were on at the same time, then what you’re left with are tripped circuit breakers aimed to prevent overheating of the circuit.

In four easy steps, you can reset your circuit breaker. You need to:

If your breaker continues to trip even after resetting it, there could be an issue with your electrical system. This means it’s time for you to contact a quality electrician in Virginia who can uncover the source of the problem, which could be due to one of the following:

At Kolb Electric, we have specialized in providing professional electrical service since our establishment in 1925. Impeccable customer service and attention to detail has allowed us to become one of the top electricians in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and all of Northern VA. We can help you end your tripped circuit breaker headache once and for all—contact us today!

As the weather cools off and we progress into December, you may be thinking of decorating the inside and outside of your home with holiday lights. One very important factor to keep in mind, though, is that the wiring in most homes—particularly older homes—is not properly equipped to handle the increased electrical demand placed on it by holiday lighting. Wires and connections can become corroded or loose over the years, only adding to the problem.

When more amperage passes through an electrical circuit or wire than it is intended to handle, the overloading can occur. Essentially, when you try to draw power for too many lights or appliances from a single outlet, this is what happens.

Though, even if you use different outlets, you still need to consider the overall capacity of your home’s electrical system. Your electrical wiring needs to be able to handle the total load of all the lights, in addition to the appliances and lighting that already depend on it.

There are a few warning signs to watch out for that indicate your electrical system is overloaded. These include:

Many people may read the above information and decide not to install holiday lights, but that’s not necessary! To prevent overloads, before you install your lights simply call one of our professional electricians to inspect your electrical system. We’ll look for hidden hazards such as faulty or old wiring, and recommend upgrading your wiring or electrical panel if necessary.

An added benefit of upgrading your electrical panel for holiday lighting is that you won’t need to worry about adding additional appliances and home automation upgrades as well. You’ll be fully equipped to handle the increasing electrical demands that are placed on many homes throughout the country today.

Looking to buy or rent the perfect vehicle for your summer vacation? You might want to consider going electric. From reducing carbon emissions to improving air quality and limiting noise pollution, electric cars are a great alternative to regular vehicles and can save you money on gas! The benefits of an electric car surpass the benefits of other vehicles while helping the environment. Here are a few reasons why using an electric car will be great for your summer vacation!

Greener Alternative

According to EPA estimates, transportation accounts for 28 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 80 percent of that belonging to automobiles and trucks. How much are you contributing? While electric cars produce slightly higher manufacturing emissions than traditional vehicles, after you consider vehicle manufacturing, fuel combustion and fuel production, the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is nearly half that of its gas-powered cousin – 300g CO2e/km for the average gas vehicle versus 180g CO2e/km for electric. This protects not only the environment, but your wallet as well!

Increase in Charging Stations

The number of charging stations available for electric cars across the U.S. is increasing in response to the surge in popularity of electric cars. More than 9,500 electric stations and over 24,000 charging outlets are available across the country, searchable by zip code. Since 2010, more than 18,000 stations have been added, including free, pay-as-you-go and monthly subscription style services. Many states are also rolling out tax incentives to increase accessibility to charging stations at home and during travel.

Electric vs. Gas Power

Powering electric cars is cheaper than fueling cars that operate on gasoline. Solar and time-of-use (off-peak) electricity pricing also decreases the costs of operating electric vehicles, and available government grants and tax incentives can greatly reduce the sticker price. Add to that the fact that electric vehicle prices are continuing to fall while gasoline prices continue to rise, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious saving!

No Tailpipe Emissions

Nearly all credible researchers believe that electric cars, even in coal-dependent regions, have a smaller environmental impact than conventional vehicles. In regions with a strong grid mix of renewables—such as hydro, wind and solar—or for electric car drivers with home solar, the emissions benefits are dramatic. You can expect some analysts to argue the opposite. But it’s undeniable that electric cars don’t have a tailpipe, and therefore provide a real benefit to improving air quality for you, your family, and your community.

Home Recharging

If you decide to purchase an electric vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll never have to go to the gas station again. All you have to do is pull into your garage or driveway, reach over for a plug, and push it into the charging inlet. It’s very convenient and takes all of about 15 seconds. Wake up the next morning, and you have a car ready to go another 80 to 100 miles—or double that, depending on the model. That’s plenty for everybody except interstate travelers. (The charging task can be more difficult for people living in condos and apartments, but access to multi-family and workplace charging is improving every day.)

Renting an electric vehicle for your summer vacation could save you a lot of money and trips to the gas station. This will leave extra money in your pocket for other fun things to cross off your vacation bucket list. Who knows? You may end up loving your experience with an electric vehicle that you’ll probably buy one when you get back from your vacation!