When it comes to crime, it’s evident that there’s an appeal to darkness. Less visibility means less chance of getting caught. The 2014 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)—an annual Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program publication that’s released by the FBI—includes detailed crime data, such as time of day and type of offense. More than 18,000 law enforcement agencies participate in the UCR Program and provide data voluntarily. NIBRS’ Crimes Against Persons data shows that of the 1,093,466 incidents reported in 2014, 562,104 (51.4 percent) were between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crimes Against Property data shows a lower—yet significant—39.4 percent of 3,493,904 reported incidents taking place between those same hours.

In an attempt to lessen crime and increase energy savings, many cities and businesses have started replacing traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) lights with LED bulbs, light engines, and fixtures. These actions have paid off. In 2008, Los Angeles began a project to retrofit 215,000 lights with LED lights. Since implementation of the project, color-rendering indexes (CRI) than HID fixtures. CRI refers to how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects, people, and surroundings. The CRI of an HID bulb can range from zero (high-pressure sodium) to about 65 (metal-halide). LED fixtures are capable of having CRIs of 75 and higher. Lights with a CRI of 80 or higher are considered to show colors most accurately and increase visibility, which is especially important for security purposes and parking lot surveillance.

The design process is complete, and the Thronedown Challenge is about to commence.  The votes will be cast and the crown awarded to the champion designer. Capitol Lighting followers can visit our company’s Facebook page to vote, while showroom customers and employees can get a live look at the renovations in order to choose their favorite design and cast their ballots.

This friendly competition between two northern New Jersey interior designers has involved weeks of hard work, resulting in a transformation of  both the men’s and ladies’ restrooms in Capitol Lighting’s Paramus store. The finalists were chosen based on their expertise; they each received a $2,000 project budget with lighting supplied by Quoizel and Feiss.

Before

After

Mannarino’s vision was to create something sophisticated, dramatic and tailored. Her step-by-step design process included:

First time home buyers are going to be extremely excited about the prospect of owning a home. It gives you the freedom to do as you wish with the interior and the satisfaction of actually owning something. It is the American dream and young people especially look forward to the day they get the keys to their first home. Sometimes, the dream is a little more difficult to achieve than many think. They start looking for a home only to discover their dream home is just not where they want it on the land they want it. For those home buyers, the best option would be to have a home built by a team of professionals. An electrician in Glendale will be an intricate part of the building process. You will want to have someone who is experienced and professional, like those at The Electric Connection.

There are plenty of financing options that allow home buyers to easily obtain the loan they need to build their own home on a piece of land or to buy in a new development. The process of having a home built is exciting. Every little detail is cleared through the new homeowner, including the Glendale electrician placing additional outlets in rooms where you think you will need them.

It is a good idea to sit down and meet with your contractors before the process ever begins. Talk about your wants and needs and set a high standard for the builders and your electrician. Glendale homeowners don’t have to settle or compromise. The work should only be completed by licensed and bonded professionals. This not only protects you, but it ensures the building process will go much smoother. Getting the county inspector out can be a huge feat. You want to make sure the work passes inspection the first time. If it doesn’t, your construction will be held up and it may take months longer than you anticipated to move into your new home. Stick with the professionals and give The Electric Connection a call if you are ready to get started on your new home construction.

It doesn’t feel like it yet, but fall is coming! Cooler weather and clearer nights are on the way; perfect time for some home hot tub relaxation. But when our electricians in Baltimore talk hot tubs, we have some concerns. These stem from various issues, but they can all mean one thing in the end: danger.

At Kolb Electric, your safety always comes first. Yes, even before our service (though you might argue that they go hand-in-hand; we would). If you’re considering a hot tub installation, or you’re just getting primed and ready to make use of the one you have, there are some factors we would like you to consider.

Looking for industry-leading electricians in Baltimore for your hot tub or home appliance wiring? Contact Kolb today!

The definition of the word faulty is “working badly or unreliably because of imperfections”, so when we’re talking wiring, faulty can mean old or damaged, or poorly installed. Both of these are equally dangerous and can lead to electric shock, electrocution, and fires! It’s serious business and we aim to help ensure you never deal with these potential threats.

So why are we so worried about hot tubs? Aside from the fact that they’re almost literally giant bathtubs with an electric current, once they’ve been installed many homeowners opt to never have the wiring inspected for water damage or replaced.

And even further beyond, some homeowners regard hot tub wiring as a DIY job. It’s really, really not. Wiring can get complex, and when you’re dealing with something as potentially volatile as electricity (especially when that electricity is surrounded you water!), even the tiniest mistake can become a harmful and even deadly issue.

So how do you get the glorious hot tub you’ve always dreamed of with none of the risks? Do these:

Hot tubs are made to be enjoyed, not worried over! When you’re ready for an installation, trust in the team at Kolb. Or if you’ve already got a hot tub, let our team make sure your system is working safely and effectively. Contact our experts today for the superior service and safety assurance you deserve!

It is almost time to head to the garage or attic or wherever you have stored your lights and other decorations all year. It is exciting to pull out the holiday decorations that signal a time of giving and family. The family loves the work you put into decking the halls and making your home bright and beautiful. However, it is important you are practicing safe decorating tips provided by your electrician in Santa Monica. The team at The Electric Connection wants you to enjoy this holiday season without putting yourself or your home at risk.

Limit the Strands

Don’t get carried away connecting light strands together. You should not connect more than three strands together to plug into a single socket. If you don’t have enough outlets to run all of your decorations, call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will love the freedom and flexibility additional outlets give them, especially outside.

Proper Usage

While most lights and decorations are designed to be used inside and out, there are some that specifically note indoors only. Don’t risk putting these outside as they could short out and cause a fire. You can read the box or the tag near the plug to determine whether it is indoor only.

Appropriate Extension Cords

You will likely need to use a couple of extension cords, but you need to make sure they are appropriate for use outdoors. You also want to make sure you are not connecting several cords together. A Santa Monica electrician explains this could be hazardous if water or snow managed to get between the two connections. Buy cords that are long enough to suit your needs so you don’t have to connect them together.

Decorating should be a fun job—not dangerous. If you need outlets or have any additional questions about electric safety when decorating, give The Electric Connection a call today.