Ever considered utilizing solar energy in your Maryland home? If not, you might give it a glance. Not only is solar energy tech really quite cool, it boasts some unique benefits as well. But, of course, like any decision you make about the home, it all really boils down to its effectiveness, and possibly more importantly, the cost.

At Kolb Electric, we want to bring you all of the latest information and tech! Our team is excited about the advent of solar energy, and sharing what we know is just part of the superior service we provide.

When being used? Practically nothing, aside from maintenance. For solar energy, it’s all about the installation. While solar power isn’t exactly a new thing, implementing it in a larger capacity in United States homes kind of is. In a mainstream sense, at least. Preppers, ingenuitive farmers, and tech nerds have been using it for years.

So, as a reasonably newer need, solar tech installation, such as panels and solar-supported equipment are understandably rather expensive. Assume your home uses the US average amount of electricity (between 600 and 800 kWh) per month. With this estimate, assume you’re wanting you fully solar your home.

You’d be looking at anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000. Do understand that this is a very broad estimate, as individual factors about your home can lower or raise that drastically. There is an endless number of variables involved here, including how much power you want, how large your home is, your solar energy needs, etc.

You would also have to take into account maintenance, as solar equipment will require very specialised training and tools to keep working at maximum potential. Bottom line, how much does solar energy cost? Next to nothing, if anything at all. The equipment, on the other hand, we…it’s an investment.

But Is Solar Energy Worth It in Washington, DC?

Above is a map of average energy savings in the US, courtesy of Energysage.

Depending on exactly how you’re going to utilize the solar power, probably yes. Especially (and almost exclusively) if you intend to make your current home permanent. As in you plan on staying there for fifteen, twenty years. To find more exact answers and suss out whether solar power might be something you’re interested, we would highly recommend consulting an energy specialist.

Need superior electrical services in Maryland, DC, or Virginia? Contact Kolb today!

Electricians. Maybe not the most glamorous of professions, but certainly a necessary one! What would we do without them?

The answer? Not much.

Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining the complex electrical systems that bring power and light to our lives. Without electricians, we’d all be living in the dark! No computers, no telephones, nada.

Electricians come in many types. For example, there are:

-> Linemen, the guys you see out working the wires on the side of I80, in a snowstorm at the Utah / Wyoming line

-> Wiremen, the guys who work in office buildings, hospitals, and private homes.

They have ranks, too. There are:

-> Apprentice Electricians – least experienced of all, the role of the apprentice is to learn the trade under the guidance of experienced and accomplished electricians.

-> Journeymen Electricians – more experienced, journeymen electricians have successfully completed their apprenticeships and have been found competent by a licensing authority.

-> Master Electricians – most experienced, master electricians generally have more than 7 years experience and have passed an advanced examination covering the National Electric Code, or NEC.

So how’s the job market for electricians? Amazingly great! The Bureau of Labor Services predicts a 23% increase in openings for qualified electricians between 2010 and 2020. And the pay’s not bad either! Electricians make, on average, $23.50 per hour, or approximately $50,000 per year. You don’t need go to college to become an electrician, but an apprenticeship of several years is required.

Is it dangerous work? Of course! Working with electricity, one of the most potent forces of nature, is always going to be dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to contact a qualified electrician if you suspect problems with your electrical system. Professional, licensed, and insured, a qualified and competent electrician is a must for any electrical project, no matter how small.

Shoddy electrical workmanship can pose a threat to the safety of your family and home as a whole. Additionally, faulty work done by an unprofessional or unlicensed individual can leave you open to liability for injuries that could possibly earned by others. Hence, it is vital to choose the right Trenton electrical contractor for the job.

Before you hire or contact someone, write a description of the kind of work you would like to be done. It is a good move to consider your electrical needs for the future if you are adding a new room or simply improving your home. For instance, with the abundance of electrical devices and appliances available to businesses and consumers, it may be a good time to have electrical home improvements as well as to have more electrical outlets at home too.

Starting your search for the right contractor can sometimes be a challenging task but you can begin hunting by checking the Web. These days, there are so many electricians who have their own sites. But before you hire someone, make sure to do a little background check. You may see some forums regarding what people say about a certain contractor or you may ask your friends what they know about the contractor or person. You may also ask your friends and officemates if they know a good contractor.

You should enlist the services of a licensed Trenton electrical wiring professional. While this may not assure you will get excellent workmanship, a licensed professional can possibly meet your needs. Make sure the contractor is insured too. See to it to clearly describe to the contractor what you need to be done and what you expect from him. You and the contractor you are going to hire should be on the same road regarding the proposed work. Once the contractor has reviewed the list of jobs that you would want to be done, you can then gain agreement.

If the contractor proposes something different or not related to what you want to be done, ask for an explanation and see if additional work is really needed. If you think his explanation is not clear and something you cannot seem to agree, move on to your next prospect. Having an electrician should not be a risky endeavor.