It's not quite summer yet, but the recent bout of spring fever that has overtaken much of the Mid Atlantic has inspired many homeowners to begin planning for the upcoming warm weather. One of the first things that people look into this time of year is how they will make sure their backyard is utilized to the fullest once the temperatures outside start coming closer to the triple digits. The Washington, DC area is known for steamy, sticky summers that tend to hang around well into fall, and one of the only ways that many residents are able to stay comfortable later in the season is by taking a dip in their swimming pools.

If you are lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your DC backyard, you likely understand what a savior these structures can be, but also what a hassle they often are to maintain. It's true that there are few things as refreshing as the cool water on a sweltering afternoon, but if your pool isn't clean, it's one of the last places you'll want to be wading.

Maintaining your pool also brings with it several potential hazards that come about when you aren't keeping tabs on your equipment. After all, it's an electric motor that powers your pool's filter, and when water gets involved with electricity there are always precautions that need to be taken.

Make sure that the electrical connection from the motor to your house is secure and not located near any standing water. For instance, if you use an outdoor extension cord to power the unit, make sure that the spot where the male and female ends of your two cords meet is above ground so that it won't be vulnerable to any puddles.

This post is the second in a series on energy-efficient lighting. We’re reviewing all kinds of spaces in homes and businesses to help you save energy.

Here are a few simple suggestions to save energy and hard-earned cash with your restaurant lights: 

Update Your Light Bulbs

Still using standard incandescent light bulbs? The fastest, simplest thing you can do to save energy is to update them. Whether they’re the ubiquitous A19 lamps, reflector lamps for your track lights, chandelier light bulbs in hanging fixtures, or decorative globe lights in the bathroom, you have tons of new energy-efficient options:

You should never “lend” your contractors license to anyone, for any reason, ever. There are many good reasons for a contractor to have this “never lend” policy.

However, sometimes it can be advantageous for a contractor to pull a permit for someone else’s work. Like a homeowner installed his own main electrical panel and then he finds out that his city does not allow homeowners to obtain a “Homeowner’s Permit” for that job.

Without going into a lot of explanation, here is a form I made up a few years ago that has minimized my risk and maximized my profit in these situations. WARNING! Is this legal in your state? I’m not the guy who knows or is going to find out; that’s up to you. But, anyway, here’s the form:

I _____________________ am requesting that The Electric Connection

Print Name

obtain an electrical permit for electrical work located at

__________________________________________________________

Address City State Zip

I am aware that The Electric Connection did not perform this electrical work and is not responsible for any corrections or repairs required as a result of either the electrical work or the inspection of this work.

I am aware and agree that The Electric Connection is obtaining a permit for work that was done by others and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for the quality and/or safety of this work now or at any future time, and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for any present or future liabilities arising out any of the work covered under this permit.

For the sum of __________ plus the exact cost of the electrical permit, The Electric Connection will obtain an electrical permit for this electrical work. If the electrical work does not pass inspection, I may or may not choose to hire The Electric Connection to make any corrections necessary to bring the electrical work up to city/national electrical code standards as required by the electrical inspector.

If I choose to hire The Electric Connection to do this electrical work, I am aware that there will an additional charge for this work, and that this additional cost will be mutually agreed by myself and The Electric Connection before any work is started.

________________             ___________________ Signature                                    Date

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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.