Although the weather is still not exactly perfect for spending time outdoors, there is not time like the present to start getting ready for those outdoor get-togethers. As you sit outside and enjoy your patio this summer, things tend to get a little too hot for comfort on some of those hottest days. A cool breeze is always a welcome addition when you are sitting in the heat. An electrician in Pasadena is here to offer you a solution to your outdoor heat issues. You can rely on The Electric Connection to provide you with an electrician who is professional and able to take on the job.

An outdoor ceiling fan is an excellent way to keep the outdoor heat from becoming stifling. The fans are specially designed to be suitable for the outdoors without shorting out. There are a couple of different kinds of fans for you to choose from. The type you choose will depend on where you live and where you want to have the fan hanging.

There are fans designed to withstand the harsh, salty air for those who live very close to the ocean. The other two types of fans are wet fans that are designed to tolerate rain. This is the fan you will want to have your Pasadena electrician install if you plan on having the fan hang in an area that is exposed to the elements. If your fan will be placed in a covered deck, you can get away with a less-protected fan. You will need to have an electrician complete the wiring portion of the outdoor ceiling fan installation. A switch to turn the fan off and on can be included during the installation process if you choose. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment to have your fan installed.

As you have likely noticed, Winter is well on its way in the Greater Vancouver area and Lower Mainland. With heavy snowfall and stormy weather predicted for this upcoming Winter season, it’s important for residents in these areas to brush up on all electrical safety procedures and best practices. The licensed electricians at Expert Electric have been providing Vancouver and the Lower Mainland with residential and commercial electrical services for many years. Check out our list of Winter electrical safety tips to keep you protected this Winter season.

Don’t get caught unprepared in a local power outage. Every year, residents of the Greater Vancouver area and Lower Mainland lose power due to local power outages. In recent years, some residents have been stuck without power for up to 72 hours. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you are fully prepared with an emergency kit that contains enough supplies to last up to 72 hours without power. Some of the supplies that your power outage emergency kit should include are batteries, candles, matches, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable foods and more. For a full list of emergency kit supplies, please visit the BC Hydro website.

Winter storms can cause significant damage to trees outside your property. It is important to inspect any trees on or near your property that could result in damage to your home or building. Any loose branches should be removed to minimize the risk of falling. Large trees can also damage power lines and vehicles. If possible, park your vehicle in a safe area that is located away from any large trees that could fall on it. If you are unsure of whether a tree poses a significant threat to your property, call the licensed electricians at Expert Electric.

Snowfall and Winter storms mean an influx in the amount of water present on your property. Because water and electricity don’t mix, it is crucial to ensure that there are no loose wires or electrical cords present around your property. All electrical equipment should be stored safely away while not in use. Any large electrical equipment such as pools, hot tubs or outdoor lighting should be inspected to ensure that it is operating properly and the equipment’s cords and electrical wiring are hazard free.

If you would like further information about Winter electrical safety tips, please contact one of our licensed electricians at 604-681-8338. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Our team of licensed electricians has been servicing the Greater Vancouver area and Lower Mainland for many years. We offer various types of electrician services including electric water heaters, surge protectors, ceiling fan installation and more. Visit our website to book an appointment today.

We do a lot to protect our families when they are at home. We lock the doors at night, make sure there are no safety hazards like broken stair rails or exposed pools. Have you ever thought about your smoke detectors? Sure you probably have a couple in your house, but have you checked the batteries? It can be hard to remember to replace the batteries every six months. Fortunately, there is an option your electrician in Pasadena can help you out with.

The professionals at The Electric Connection can explain why hard-wired smoke detectors are so important. This type of device is connected directly to your home’s power so you don’t have to worry about regular battery changes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about somebody “borrowing” the batteries and not replacing them right away.

When the smoke detectors are wired into the home, they are interconnected. Meaning, when the smoke detector in the kitchen goes off, the one in the upstairs bedroom and garage also goes off. In the event of a fire, this can give occupants in the home several extra minutes to get out. Every minute counts when there is a house fire. Your Pasadena electrician can install the detectors in any room you request.

Along with hard-wired smoke detectors, a carbon-monoxide detector is also a good idea. One in the garage and on every floor of the house is typically the standard. These are especially important if you burn any fuel within the home or leave cars running in a garage. Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It is crucial to your family’s safety to have one of these valuable devices installed.

Add another layer of protection for your family and give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule an appointment to have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

The ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award. Sea Gull Lighting’s focus remains on delivering on-trend, high quality lighting products with unparalleled customer service and best-in-class availability. For almost 100 years, they have built strong relationships and earned a reputation among channel partners, builders, contractors and homeowners to be among the very best. Sea Gull Lighting looks forward to the evolving business landscape, and with its continued commitment to serve, and to listen and learn from its valued customers, is poised for success as it soon enters its second century of operation.

If you are planning on renovating or sprucing-up your kitchen, it’s probably a good idea to map out a detailed lighting plan as well. Most people find this a little strange as they feel that lighting in a kitchen isn’t something that needs too much of consideration or planning. It’s just a place where you cook and probably where you have an informal meal after all.

However, the fact is that it’s important to plan kitchen illumination well if you want to make optimal use of your kitchen spaces. Here, we would like to share some basic lighting ideas to create the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

If you want to get a better idea about what type of lighting would work best for your kitchen, it’s vital to understand how your kitchen spaces relate to the different type of lighting. Let’s start off with understanding what type of bulbs you can use for the best effects:

These bulbs emit a yellowish light and you will now find many artistic versions of these on the market today.

These bulbs throw off a flat, cold light that has a bluish tinge, which lends a very harsh effect to the room.

These have a warm light that makes the place look very inviting and comfortable

These are the latest in light bulb technology and are available in a range of effects including white, cool daylight, warm light, yellow and a range of other colours and hues. Aside from this, LED bulbs are also 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs; and most property owners are now opting for these fixtures.

In addition to the types of bulbs used, the style of lighting or the lighting effects are what impact the ambience and appearance of a room. With this in view, here we discuss the different lighting effects that can be used in your kitchen:

This is one of the simplest ways to create the right lighting effect in your kitchen. This type of lighting is designed to help you move comfortably around the room. In most instances this type of lighting comes from grid-style can lighting, widely-spaced, wall and ceiling lamps, semi-translucent skylights or even the natural light that streams in through glass windows and doors. This is the base layer of any lighting plan.

In your kitchen, task lighting would be required to illuminate kitchen counters and food preparation spaces. Since you will be cooking in your kitchen every day, it’s important that the task lighting be planned and installed well. If you have only recessed lighting fixtures in your kitchen, you will feel the lack of focused light when you are cleaning, cooking or prepping in that space.

If you install one-dimensional lighting in the kitchen, it creates unsightly shadows in different areas of the room, while ceiling lighting is ineffective in illuminating spaces like sinks, under counter or cabinet areas etc. On the other hand, if you add special pendant lamps over the counters or even your kitchen island it can prove to be a more practical solution. Under-cabinet lighting can also help in illuminating the cabinets that are positioned there.

This effect doesn’t seem as necessary as ambient or task lighting does in a kitchen space, as the illumination it provides isn’t as functional as the first two. However, it can have a significant impact on the way your kitchen spaces look. If you want to enhance the appeal of your kitchen (regardless of whether you are getting it entirely renovated or are opting for a lighting upgrade), it’s important that you plan your accent lighting well.