Although a lot of people know what surge protection is, some people don't have the slightest clue. This article will explain what surge protection is and help you understand why it's important.

What Exactly Is Surge Protection?

Surge protection is what protects your electronic devices and appliances from spikes in electrical voltage. A surge protector will basically limit the amount of electric voltage that is allowed to reach the electronic device or appliance by blocking or grounding unwanted voltages.

Different Types of Surge Protectors

Surge protectors come in two different forms. You are probably pretty familiar with a power strip surge protector, but there is another popular type of surge protector that is designed for your circuit breaker panel. When selecting a surge protector, make sure that you chose a higher level of joules. This is because you have more protection as you enter the higher numbers of joules.

Benefits of Surge Protection

When it come to surge protection, there are an abundance of benefits, including the following:

Additional Outlets – First off, if you use a power strip surge protector, you are provided with a number of additional outlets that you can use to plug in more devices and/or appliances into a single outlet. Saves Energy – Also with the power strip, you can save on energy usage. This is because there is an on/off switch on the power strip that allows you to switch off all plugged-in devices so that they are pulling electricity when they are not being used. Protects Devices – If there is a major storm in the area, then a surge protector (for the circuit or the power strip type) can help keep plugged-in devices and appliances from shorting out should there be an excessive amount of voltage being transmitted or a power surge, such as from a lightning strike. Increased Warranties – As a general rule, if you have your electronic items plugged into a surge protector and they are damaged despite the protection that the surge protector should have offered, your device or appliance will typically be replaced.

It’s no secret that incandescent, fluorescent, and equivalent LED fixture. In California, Pacific Gas and Electric gives a $250 rebate for a 321- to 500-watt LED replacement for a high-bay fixture. Other utility companies will offer energy-savings-based rebates by each watt reduced or custom rebates, which require an energy audit. Products must be listed in DLC’s QPL to qualify for rebates. Contact your local utility company to verify participation in the rebate program or for a complete list of incentives and qualified products.

Purchasing an LED product on DLC’s QPL is rewarding in more ways than one; immediate energy savings and increased longevity are the most widely known benefits. DLC rebates are offered as an extra push toward quality lighting technologies. Incentives such as this one can be helpful in establishing a more sustainable, energy-conscious society.

A comprehensive list of rebates per state/province can be found for a list of our DLC-listed products.

Summer’s coming, and if the last few years have been any indication, we could be looking at some serious storms heading our way. Now is a good time to go over a few tips on what to do if the power goes out! Power outages can be more than inconvenient—if you don’t know how to respond, they could get dangerous!

Never use generators, pressure washers, grills, or any other gas-powered appliances indoors—even in the basement or garage. These appliances can generate carbon monoxide, which can be deadly even in small doses.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed until the power goes back on. If the power is out for less than four hours, all of your food should be safe. Click here to view the USDA’s guidelines for what to do if the refrigerator is out longer than four hours.

Water treatment facilities are generally some of the first places to get power back. Even so, avoid drinking tap water until you have been assured by local authorities that it is safe to do so.

Wear loose-fitting, light clothing, keep hydrated, and do what you can to stay cool in the summer. Heat stroke can happen to anyone, especially young children and the elderly, and can cause death or permanent disability if not treated properly.

Stay far away from downed power lines, even if you don’t think they are live. If you are in your car and power lines fall on your vehicle, remain in the car and call 911.

Call the power company and let them know your power is out—even if you think all your neighbors have already called. The power company uses call data to determine which neighborhoods to prioritize when working to get the power back on.

Pepco, one of the largest energy companies in the DC area, has a detailed summary of their response to power outages in the area. In summary:

First, they collect information from homeowners and business owners to determine the extent of the power outage. Using this data, they determine which areas are down so they can pinpoint the locations where they need to send crew members.

Once they have arrived on scene, they eliminate public safety hazards like downed power lines while working to restore power to public health and safety facilities.

Next, they prioritize customers when determining how to restore power: public health facilities like hospitals, police and fire departments, and water treatment plants come first, followed by areas of high population densities. Once they restore power to these “vital” areas, they work their way down secondary distributions that serve neighborhoods, commercial areas, and subdivisions. Finally, they turn their attention to individual homes and businesses that have not yet been reconnected.

You can read more about Pepco’s response to power outages here!

Knowing how to react following a power outage can lessen the inconvenience and keep you safe. For more tips or for electrical service in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric!

Bring out the constitution in your house with top quality decorative lighting. Put your trust in the lighting experts at Capitol Lighting, and your American dream home will come to light.  With premier service and selection, Capitol Lighting is the place to find the most up-to-date home lighting strategies and applications, including expert foyer fixture installations.

Our three-step guide will help you custom-design a beautiful home entry zone with just the right illumination.

Expert Foyer Fixture Installation:

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom for more excellent lighting ideas and view the latest collections from the world’s most distinguished vendors. Enjoy promotional pricing on select merchandise, including these unique finds from Savoy House:

For over 35 years, Troy Lee and his crew at Savoy House have been providing design inspiration to the most discriminating designers and homeowners throughout the nation. A breathtaking array of thrilling new finishes, styles, and accent pieces masterfully brought to life by skilled artisans, awards freedom to create a unique vision at home.

“A retail icon for over eight decades, Capitol Lighting is the choice of purveyors of fine lighting. Committed to bringing their clientele the best the world offers in fine decorative lighting, Capitol’s superb management and sales staff does it like no else can do it. Come and experience the reason we at Savoy House Lighting are proud to proclaim Capitol Lighting as our home.” — Troy Lee – Chairman & President, Savoy House.

When Your House Calls, Capitol Lighting listens! From our House to your house, Capitol Lighting delivers the light.

Energy Smart concepts in home lighting make for a brighter future for America.  Join Capitol Lighting’s efforts to keep America moving forward, planning wisely for future generations, and illuminating the world with thoughtfulness and in good taste.

Top 5 Reasons to Become an Energy Smart American:

You’ll never sacrifice style and artistry with these energy-saving innovations from Savoy House:

*Energy saving CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs and uniquely crafted opaque glass are included with these fixtures to provide a pleasingly soft illumination.  NOTE:  If you use compact fluorescent bulbs on an incandescent fixture, the spiral glass of the bulb will be in plain sight if the glass of the fixture is clear.

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or call 1800lighting.com for even more ways to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.  Just in time for CitiZENship Day, these new arrivals from Savoy House will bring out the ZEN in your home: