Homeowners have a powerful tool at their disposal that they may not even be aware of. Lighting can make or break a room. Having new, updated light fixtures in a room can completely change the way the home looks and feels. And although the actual work is not all that labor intensive, it is crucial you have a Glendale electrician perform the work. Working with electricity is something that should be left to the professionals like those at The Electric Connection.

It is amazing to see the difference a single light fixture can make in a room. Changing lights throughout a home is like giving your house a major facelift without any serious expense. There is so much you can do to change the look and feel of a room simply by visiting your local lighting store or your favorite home improvement store. Hanging chandeliers, recesses lights, track lighting and so much more is all available for you to use to your advantage.

You can easily turn a dark kitchen into a brilliant space with plenty of lighting right where you need it. Turn your dining room into a romantic area with lights that are controlled with a dimmer switch installed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will have the freedom to control how much light you have. That one particular picture in the living room hanging over the mantle deserves some special recognition. Use recess or track lighting to direct light onto a family picture or a prized piece of artwork to really make it pop and become a focal point in the room.

The possibilities are endless. Take a walk around your home and look at your current lighting scheme. Could you do something different? Then head to the lighting store and pick up the fixtures that will compliment your home and décor. When you are ready, give The Electric Connection a call and schedule your appointment for your new lighting fixtures to be installed. It is that simple!

In some of our previous posts, you’ve likely seen our experts mention the presence of “ungrounded” outlets in homes and buildings. But what exactly makes an ungrounded outlet such a negative? Are they dangerous? Our certified electricians come to you today with answers to the real important questions regarding ungrounded outlets!

If you have ungrounded outlets and need an outlet upgrade, contact us today!

Ungrounded outlets are easily identified by simply taking a look at the face of the outlet (where you plug things in). On nearly all modern homes, there should be three holes. Two are the vertical slits, and one roundish one located underneath the pair of vertical ones. That’s a grounded outlet, which have been required by electrical safety standards for all structures since the mid-1960s.

Ungrounded outlets lack the third hole, the roundish one on the lower portion where the, somewhat obviously, ground plug goes.

To understand the why, you kind of have to understand what a grounded outlet does. The two vertical slots represent both a “hot” wire, and a “neutral” wire. The ground wire in a grounded outlet ties into the neutral vertical slot. Why the redundancy? Well, it acts like a failsafe. Should anything go awry with your outlet, such as a short, the renegade electricity simply travels safely along the ground wire back to the panel. Without the ground wire, that electricity can channel into materials, such as fabrics located close to the outlet, or a very unlucky person.

Is it dangerous in that it might jump out and bite you? No. Is it dangerous in that it dramatically increases personal and property risk? Yes, absolutely. Ungrounded outlets increase the chance of:

We’ve encountered a few arguments over the years about the safety of ungrounded outlets. Like how they were used just fine in the past, or how the home that has them hasn’t “burned down yet”, etc. Well, that’s just the thing. Yet.

We haven’t been hit by a car, but that doesn’t mean we should go walking down the center of a busy highway at midnight. Grounded outlets became a standard in electrical code for a reason. They prevent possible problems that homes consistently encountered in the past. It’s all about preparedness and prevention!

So to conclude, are ungrounded outlets dangerous? Yes, they represent a very real potential risk. Worried that you may have ungrounded outlets in your home or business? Contact the certified master electricians at Kolb Electric today! We’ve been bringing our consumers the very best in electrical advice and service for years, and your complete satisfaction and safety are always our top priority!

Solar power is something any home can take advantage of. You don’t have to live in the boonies to use solar power to offset your electric bill. The process of installing solar panels is relatively easy and can be taken care of by a Pasadena electrician like those at The Electric Connection. Solar energy is free and is most certainly the way of the future. Imagine cutting your electric bill in half or more by relying on the sun.

The panels are typically installed on the roof of your home. The initial cost of the solar panels will vary depending on how many you choose to have and the various sizes. There are lease options that have proven to be very good options for homeowners who are not quite ready to make the rather sizable initial investment to buy their own solar power equipment. Call it a test run of sorts as you learn to rely on solar energy.

Many people don’t realize that they can use solar power to run their homes even if they live in the suburbs. Most covenants will allow for the panels to be installed. Your home will stay connected to the main power grid so there is no fear of “running out of power.” In fact, if your solar power system happens to generate more electricity than you can use, you can sell it back to your electric company in most cases. How many people can say their power company pays them a monthly fee?

Because the solar panels will need to be connected to your home’s electric panel, you will need to hire an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will see the cost-savings of using solar power within the first month. As you grow more accustomed to maximizing the solar energy, those savings will increase over time. If you would like to learn more about adding solar panels to your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electric blankets can provide some much needed warmth and comfort during the long winter months. Nothing beats a personal heat source on your bed, staving off the nighttime chills. Electric blankets can even help you save money by allowing you to keep your thermostat turned down a few notches. However, these blankets can also be a fire hazard, particularly if they are old or damaged. Read on to learn more about how to stay safe if you choose to use an electric blanket this winter.

Bringing Electrical Work to Your Bed

If you do decide to use an electric blanket, make sure you carefully follow all the instructions regarding use, care and storage so you maintain it in good condition. Most electric blankets are designed to be rolled or hung up when not in use, since folding or bunching them can damage the heating wires. Once a blanket becomes damaged or stops working properly, it's time to dispose of it so you don't risk a fire. Blankets that are more than three years old should be checked carefully, and once they hit a decade of service, it's time to retire them even if they still appear to be in good shape.

You also need to inspect the blanket's cord and verify that it isn't worn, frayed or otherwise damaged. It's generally a bad idea to run the cord under the mattress or under a carpet, which can speed up its deterioration, but you also need to prevent children or pets from chewing on it or playing with it. The best option is often to store the blanket out of harm's way during the day when it's not in use.

Weighing the Benefits and Risks

Even a well-functioning electric blanket can be a hazard if you aren't careful with it. Some authorities even recommend using electric blankets to pre-heat the bed, then stowing them before you actually climb in. When you have an active electric blanket on the bed, you need to also make sure you don't leave any heat sensitive materials above or below it.

Additionally, pregnant women and people suffering from certain illnesses need to be careful that they don't allow an electric blanket to overheat their bodies. Excessive heat can harm developing fetuses, as well as people who have diseases like diabetes. Safer options for supplemental heat sources include a hot water bottle tucked under the blanket, or an electric space heater to warm up an otherwise chilly room.

Expert Treatment for Your Electrical Work

For help evaluating the safety of your wiring or any other electrical work, call an expert electrician today.