Has it ever happened that you noticed an inexplicable rise in your electricity bill in spite of using the same appliances for the same amount of time that you generally do? No, the neighbor’s bill didn’t get delivered to you accidentally and neither is it the fault of your electrical services provider. There might be a number of other reasons behind a rise in your bill amount, which generally aren’t taken into account by a majority of people. Let’s take a look at them –

1. Faulty Appliances If your domestic appliances like washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers, etc., are faulty, they will consume more energy than normal. Also, faulty wiring can damage the appliances in the long term, lead to electric fires or even get electrically charged, which may give you life-threatening shocks if you come in their direct contact.

The licensed electricians at Expert Electric receive a lot of questions about how motion sensing lights work and where to install them. Since our team has plenty of experience installing motion sensing lights in residential homes and commercial buildings, we figured it would be beneficial to help answer some of the more popular questions we receive. Keep reading to learn more about how motion sensing lights work, where to install them and how to install them.

Many of us are familiar with motion sensing lights as they have been around for some time now. They frequently make appearances in spy films and may even have been installed at your workplace. Nowadays, motion sensing lights are becoming an increasingly popular security measure in both commercial business buildings and residential homes. These motion sensing lights work by detecting infrared heat waves that can be found on moving objects. In order to ensure that the sensors are not triggered by non-human objects, it is necessary to dial them to a specific sensitivity setting that usually falls between 8 to 12 micrometers. To ensure that sensing lights are installed and working properly, it is best to contact a licensed electrician.

For residential homes, it is important to install motion sensing lights in different areas around the outside of the home, in both the front and back yard. For the front yard, consider installing the motion sensing lights to cover walkways, driveways, entranceways and stairs. For the backyard, it is important to cover any similar areas as well as patios, hot tubs, swimming pools and gates. Don’t feel that you should limit yourself to these areas. The placement of motion sensing lights is based upon each individual home. A good rule of thumb is to cover the most common pathways to home entrances as well as dark and hazardous areas throughout the property. The same goes for commercial properties although these properties will likely require a larger scale of motion sensing lights due to their size and valuables on hand. For questions about where to install motion sensing lights on either residential properties or commercial properties, contact the expert electricians at Expert Electric.

For commercial buildings and businesses, it is recommended that a licensed electrician takes care of the installation of motion sensing lights. This will ensure that the lights are working properly to protect the building and its valuables. Nowadays installing motion sensing lights in residential homes can be a simple process; however, dialing in the sensitivity settings so that the lights are not being prompted by non-human movement every hour of the night can be tricky. A licensed electrician at Expert Electric can have your residential motion sensing lights up and running in no time, allowing you to sleep safely and peacefully, free of frustrating false alarms.

Medical News Today published an article on the effect of room lighting on decision making. Invoking crime dramas in which suspects are interrogated under bright lights, the report suggests that people tend to feel emotions more intensely in brighter light. This finding is significant not just for retailers but for anyone who consciously uses light in their spaces for a desired effect.

Medical News Today’s story is based on research conducted by academics from the University of Toronto Scarborough and Northwestern University and published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology. As you can guess, based on the journal that published the research, findings about how people act under different lighting conditions has important implications for how people act as CONSUMERS.

Here’s how the study went: A bunch of test subjects were asked to rate an eclectic mix of things, from the spiciness of chicken wings to the aggressiveness of a fictional character. Subjects were also asked to assess the flavor of two kinds of juice, the emotional tenor of certain words, and the attractiveness of a person. The scientists changed lighting levels as they observed their participants’ reactions to these stimuli. As the scientists suspected, lighting levels had an impact on how the participants felt about the things they were rating.

According to Medical News Today, previous studies have established that “people are more optimistic about the stock market, report higher well-being and are more helpful during sunny days, whereas being exposed to gloomy days for long periods of time can result in depressive feelings.”

But, then, the researchers ask, why do suicide rates peak during late spring and early summer months? This new study complicates the common belief that more light equals more happiness.

The researchers have concluded that brighter light levels do not necessarily make people happier. Instead, brighter light levels intensify both positive AND negative emotions. In the brighter room, during the experiment, participants felt more positive emotions in related to positive words and more negative emotions about negative words. They found people more attractive in the brighter room AND felt the fictional character to be more aggressive.

As with any type of home repair service, the cost of a project or repair will vary depending on what type of work you need to have done. If you have an electrical repair, for example, the electrician will need to take out his tools and do some electrical troubleshooting in order to determine exactly what and where the problem is. If this is the case, it’s not possible to give an exact electrical estimate before starting, and the job will need to be done on a time an material basis. The electrician should give you an accurate quote of their hourly rates, and the cost of materials that they charge you for should be realistic. If the electrician is knowledgeable and competent and the repair is straight forward, they can usually fix the issue within a fairly short amount of time and at a reasonable cost.

If you need a panel upgrade, new lighting, smoke detectors or any other type of electrical installation, you’ll want to make sure that you know the exact price before the job is started. For your own protection, this is very important.

Electric Connection, a licensed Pasadena electrician, can give you a ballpark price over the phone for most types of electrical installations, and then schedule an appointment to go out to your house or business property to give you a detailed price in writing. Getting a price in writing for the work you need done means no surprises for you at the end of the job and less stress for you while the job is in progress, too.

If you need an electrical update or installation, you can call our office and let us know exactly what you’re looking for, and we’ll be able to give a ballpark figure and some free electrical advice. If you like the ballpark price, we can schedule an appointment to go out to your property and give you an exact electrical estimate in writing. We’re a licensed and bonded electrician Pasadena area residents can depend on. You can also visit our website at www.theelectricconnection.com/electrician-pasadena-ca to find out more.

It’s tuesday April 22nd and Earth Day* celebrations are abounding. Eco-friendly lamps, light fixtures and fabulous accessories are here to help you decorate with an eye on preservation and divine design.

The “Smart Home” of the future is truly within reach.  From aroma-therapy air purification systems and vitamin-C infused showers to LED light sources and recycled decorative illumination, energy-saving and eco-friendly options are in full bloom this year.

1.  Look for ENERGY STAR and Energy SMART products.  Revamp your indoor and outdoor light fixtures with new light sources and smarter control systems.

2.  Invest in sustainable lamps and light fixtures.

3.  Buy less, but buy better.  From Organic Minimalism to Restoration Industrialism, the latest designer lamps and light fixtures may be less ornate, but full on fashion with energy-efficient illumination.

Visit 1800lighting.com or a Capitol Lighting showroom for a glimpse into the latest eco-friendly lighting and decorative accessories, including  new lamps and light fixtures from Hubbardton Forge, Varaluz Lighting, Kichler Lighting and Currey and Company.

Now is the time to do your part to make Earth Day 2014 more than just a fantastic idea, make it a reality and light consciously and proficiently with style.

*The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was born on December 2, 1970 and the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.  President Nixon’s 1970 State of the Union Address was flooded with concern for clean air, clean water and a concerted effort for the federal government to “transform” the land.

We celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22nd as the government continues to consolidate efforts for a cleaner environment, but it is really up to each individual to transform their own home with energy-efficient and eco-friendly products.

Top pics for Earth Day include:

The “Elkmont” collection from Currey and Company

The “Modern Loft” table lamp from Pacific Coast Lighting

The “Argyle” pendant from Varaluz Lighting

“Natural Rope” chandelier from Landmark Lighting