The power goes off and on at random times and often when you least expect it. When it happens, it is a minor nuisance that requires you to reset clocks and turn back on whatever appliance you are using. You don’t typically think of that few seconds of the power going off and then going right back on as serious. It is. Those little power outages are killing the life of your appliances and damaging your sensitive electronics. Every time the power flickers or surges, anything that is plugged in is basically getting a jolt. An electrician in Los Angeles wants you to save your electronics and appliances by investing surge protection. The team at The Electric Connection can get your home protected in just a few short hours.

Every day, little surges of electricity are sent through the lines and into your home. You may hear your refrigerator compressor kick on when nobody has left the door open or your lights may get suddenly brighter or dim. These are all signs of a power surge explains an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners may notice these things happen if they run more than a couple appliances at a time or when something like the AC unit kicks on. The electricity is pulled from the other appliances and electronics to run the AC, which is a lot like cutting off the supply. This makes everything else, including the AC, work a little harder and not run quite as it should. This is what causes the damage.

The fix is to have a whole house surge protector installed at the electric panel by a Los Angeles electrician. This will control the electrical flow and prevent those surges from happening. If the power goes out and comes right back on, the surge protector will prevent any one appliance from getting a jolt of electricity that may fry the board. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your surge protection installation.

Temperatures are falling rapidly, and some regions of the country have already seen snow. With winter settling in, renters and homeowners are cranking up their thermostats to stay warm and cozy while bracing themselves for a big bump in utility bills due to heating costs. Savvy consumers looking for a way to save money without sacrificing comfort might ask: Can I cut down on my winter heating budget if I lower the thermostat and make up the difference with an electric space heater?

Fuel Matters

Savings are possible, though, no matter what kind of central heat you have. According to Grist magazine, if you are using a space heater for less than one half to one third of your living space, and you lower the temperature on your thermostat for the rest of it, you can save money even if your main heater is an efficient gas model. So if your family spends most of its winter indoor time in just a few rooms of the house, go ahead and experiment with a portable heater and see if you can reduce your bills.

For even more savings, don't forget to take other steps to winterize your home, like sealing any drafty areas and hanging heavy curtains. Wear a sweater, too, so you can minimize the amount of time you need the extra boost in warmth from your heater.

Finally, avoid kerosene heaters if at all possible. They pose a greater fire hazard than electric models and can affect your indoor air quality. If they are your only option, take extra care to comply with the safety instructions. Only refuel outside and be sure the indoor space where it is used is properly ventilated. Some kerosene heaters are even illegal in certain areas, so be sure to check your local laws before you buy.

The federal Energy Star program does not rate portable heaters, but the Energy Department does provide more information about specific types of space heaters.

Your local Mister Sparky® electrician is always available to help with advice on choosing and using your space heater safely.

The short answer to this question is, no. There’s no written rule saying that you have to wait until a certain time of year to replace your air conditioner. Summer may almost be over but temperatures are still staying fairly warm, and as such you want a properly functioning system.

It’s actually better to plan an air conditioner replacement than to suddenly need one due to an unexpected breakdown, for your convenience and comfort. Do be sure, however, that you schedule your air conditioning replacement with a skilled, trained and licensed HVAC professional, such as one of the members of our team.

When you schedule a professional air conditioning technician, you can rest with a peace of mind that you are getting the most your AC system has to offer. Also, our technicians are trained on how to properly size an air conditioning system for your home, and can inform you of all the latest models to help you make an informed decision.

If you’ve noticed any troubling symptoms with your air conditioner that are making you consider a replacement, just remember that forcing your struggling cooling system to continue operating only makes a breakdown more likely. You don’t want this to happen in the middle of a hot day when you need the system the most!

Admittedly, it’s not as ideal to replace your air conditioner in the dead of summer as it is during the fall or spring. However, at least planning on a cooling system replacement will leave you with a peace of mind that you won’t have to call us during an unexpected emergency. Of course, we’ll still be there to help, however you won’t have to wait for someone to be available while you contend with stifling heat.