just 15 years ago. I wonder if any of the attendees at COMDEX thought to themselves “One day, I can cook my steak with the help of a tiny glowing tool that changes colors when my meat is cooked to perfection.” Probably not. Thankfully Sharper Image did, so now you can cook your steak and monitor it from your smart phone.

Have you ever walked into your kitchen and tried to use the toaster only to discover it had been unplugged. Then you remember you unplugged it because you needed to use the can opener and didn’t want to unplug the Crockpot, interrupting your dinner. If you have ever experienced anything like this, then you probably need the help of an electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection. Stop the frustration by having an electrician install additional outlets in your kitchen.

Older homes that have been renovated and made more modern tend to overlook the outlet situation in the kitchen. Fifty years ago, kitchen appliances were very minimal or considered a major luxury. In today’s world, we can’t make coffee or open a can of beans without an electrical outlet. With all the lovely appliances available today that make our lives easier, it is only normal we would want the power to use them.

You can remedy the situation with the help of an electrician. Pasadena residents can transform their kitchen into a space that works for them by having additional outlets installed. Before this can happen, the electrician will need to check out the existing electric panel to determine whether or not the current breaker can support more outlets. In most cases, an additional breaker may be needed to support the outlets. This is something an electrician can take care of for you. When it is time to install the new outlets, it is a good idea to have the electrician replace the old outlets in the kitchen with GFCI outlets. These are the standard in new home construction in the kitchen and bathroom areas. They prevent electric shock if water is splashed on an appliance. If you are ready to make your kitchen start working for you, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Question:  How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer:  Only one…but the light bulb has to really WANT to change.

Maybe you’ve heard this joke before.  And, maybe you are tired of hearing light bulb jokes in general.  But, like it or not—Change is inevitable and the LED light bulb is leading the way.

Nearly a day goes by that we do not hear about light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the changes taking place in the lighting industry.

And, for good reason.  LED is changing the way we see the light.  The latest ceiling pendants, mini chandeliers, task lamps and outdoor light fixtures are accepting these new bulbs with tremendous gusto.  The lighting effects are becoming more versatile and redefining our vision of elegance.  The price of LED lamps is even coming down.

As LED light fixtures become more affordable and user-friendly, the choice of which bulb to use in your next lighting design will be clear…or frosted or soft white or blue…but it will be LED!

1.  LEDs lasts up to 50 times longer and use 80% less energy than old standard incandescent light bulbs.

2.  LEDs burn out slowly over time, so the dreaded pop and bulb blow out will be a blast from the past–something to tell your grandchildren about!

3.  LEDs radiate little to no heat and they hold up extremely well in harsh winter weather conditions.

4.  LEDs are eco-friendly; they do not contain toxic gas or emit harmful IR/UV radiation.

5.  LEDs are also referred to as “solid-state” lighting  (SSL) because they use semiconductors and are solid light sources; they are shatter-resistant and durable.

Embrace change. Learn the facts and put LED to work in your home or office environment.

√ Buy from a reputable dealer.  All LED bulbs are not created equal.  Through a process of “binning,” LED chips are sorted according to the quality and degree of luminescence.  Cheaper LED bulbs may be equipped with a lower quality chip that will not provide the brightest light and may burn out prematurely.

√ Look for Energy Star®-ratings to find LEDs of the highest quality.

Some of the latest LED innovations include designer mini pendants and ceiling fixtures from ELK Lighting.