A large amount of the calls we go out on are for lighting fixture replacement/changes.  A lot of the customers say “I usually do this myself,” but I don’t have time to take care of this right now.  Another common quote we hear is “We have been working on this all weekend, and can’t get it to work.”  Last but not least, a favorite quote of mine that I hear is “I am so tired of this outdated looking lighting that exists in my home.  Can you please bring it up to date?”  Usually this is where I chuckle and say “Twitter, Google Plus.

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes and with multiple base types, these long-lasting LED bulbs are perfect for an elegant, vintage look. Chips-on-board (COB) LEDs imitate the look of thin filament wire in antique-style bulbs and emit a rich, warm white or ultra-warm white color. The decorative bulbs are great for many applications, such as chandeliers, wall sconces, ornamental fixtures, and light strands, and they consume only a fraction of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs.

Energy deregulation gives consumers choices when it comes to the companies that provide their home electricity. Suppliers can compete for your electricity dollars in a variety of ways, offering low prices, short and long-term contracts, fixed or variable rates, and a choice in how your energy is generated. The sheer volume of options can seem so complicated that you need to ask an electrician to help you tangle out the pros and cons of the available plans. One area in particular that can trip up consumers has to do with whether the source of their electricity is green or renewable. Read on to learn the difference.

Green Customers are Loyal Customers

Currently, 15 states plus Washington, D.C. have active electricity deregulation programs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and these states are largely concentrated in the Northeast. Consumers who live in deregulated states are likely to be flooded with energy offers, often promising electricity that is derived from green or renewable sources. Purchasing this environmentally friendly power usually costs a bit more than electricity that comes from more traditional sources like coal, but some homeowners like to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.

Those customers who go green are valuable to the supplier because they are less likely to jump ship based on the availability of a cheaper energy source. "A customer on a renewable-energy product has actively decided what is important to them and has selected their supplier accordingly," Ritchie Hudson, Pennsylvania chairman of the Retail Energy Supply Association, said to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A Question of Semantics

However, while many suppliers and consumers treat green and renewable sources of electricity as synonymous, there is a distinction. Green energy is that which comes from specific sources that have the highest environmental benefit, including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass and small hydroelectric sources, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, renewable energy “includes resources that rely on fuel sources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish,” which includes all the green options but also other sources such as large hydroelectric dams, which present certain environmental tradeoffs.

That means that if you really want to limit your impact on the Earth as much as possible, go green in lieu of simply choosing renewable energy. You can further refine your choices by asking about the specific source of the electricity, if you have a preference for solar, wind or another option.

Ask an Electrician About Your Options

Deregulated energy markets give you flexibility, but can also sow consumer confusion. If you need help deciphering the offerings of your state's electricity providers, ask an electrician who can walk you through your choices.

Part of owning a home means you will always have something to do. There are always going to be things to fix, things to update and little improvements that need to be done to make the home work a little better for your family and its needs. It is a source of pride for many homeowners to take care of these little jobs themselves. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you finally stop that door from squeaking or the one stair from creaking. Then there are the big jobs. The jobs where you turn to your phone book or the internet to find help from a professional. Electrical issues are one of those things that you will want to call a professional electrician. Glendale homeowners can rely on the experience of the team at The Electric Connection to take care of any electrical problems that arise.

It doesn’t matter if your home was built last year or fifty years ago, there are always going to be little things that need adjusting and fixing. It is part of the joy of home ownership. The property is yours to do as you will and that includes any all of the electrical components. An electrician in Glendale can help you with some of the more common electrical problems a homeowner will face.

This is a small sampling of some of the more common problems homeowners will face with their electrical. Time and regular use tends to wear down anything and your electrical components in the home are not immune. You can rely on a Glendale electrician to take care of the repairs quickly and safely. Cross them off your list and stick with the items that are not dangerous. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical repairs.