When you think of electrical work, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We’d like to think that Kolb Electric is the first thing that pops up. But hey, we’re realists. You think of stress, you think of frustration, and mostly think of the money involved. With this in mind, it can be pretty easy to want to contact that “friend of a friend” that dabbles in electric work, right?

Well, the experts at Kolb would like to have a little talk about that. And not just the DIY buddy you may have; we’d like to discuss disreputable and unofficial Baltimore electrician “companies” as well. Trust our word we we say these kinds of solutions can do more harm than good!

Need an electrician in Baltimore? Save the stress and contact Kolb Electric!

We’ve discussed this at length in the past, so we’ll stick to the cliff notes here. Disreputable electricians in Baltimore are any that lack current, in-state licensing. Those that carry no official, genuine documents, and those that operate from unmarked vehicles. These types of companies also often ask for cash up front, and are just as likely to disappear as to do the project they were hired for.

When you’re looking to hire electricians in Baltimore, keep in mind that you’re putting a huge amount of your personal assets and heath on the line. By dealing with a company that isn’t recognized, you risk:

Beyond dodging all of those issues we listed above, working with professional, certified electricians will net you:

If you’re looking to hire electricians in Baltimore that can provide you with peerless, effective electrical services, look no further. Contact the experts at Kolb today to set your appointment!

Are you thinking upping your home technology game? If you’re a movie buff, sports fan or video game expert, having a home theater system can give the experience of being in a large movie theater without having to leave your home. You can stream your favorite movie without the hassle of waiting in line for tickets or having to sit in a crowded theater. Your home theater can be as comfortable as you want for those weekends of binge watching a new TV show or playing that video game you per-ordered. Check out these three benefits of home theater systems:

If you’ve been planning a Star Wars marathon with your family or friends, having a home theater will take you to a galaxy far, far away and immerse you into the epic space battles that will make you feel like a kid again. You can drastically change your movie-watching experience from a typical hangout in the living room to a movie night experience. After a long week of work or school, your family can unwind together by selecting your favorite film and relaxing in your pajamas.

Owning a home theater system is a must for sports enthusiasts. You can invite your friends over every Sunday and watch the game on a huge screen with surround sound. Rather than watching the game on a regular TV in the living room, you could be lying in front of a high definition television that will make you feel like you are inside the stadium.

Playing your favorite video games on the big screen can enhance your game-play experience. You can journey with Link throughout Hyrule and immerse yourself in the vast expanse of landscapes that video games create. Beautiful imagery and the surround sound effects that are a part of a home theater can completely change how you play your video games. Single-player video games are all about immersion, and there is no better way to get into the game than with a high-quality home theater system.

Because of our home state’s ample supply of oil, Texas isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when people hear the term “green energy.” However, recent research is showing that Texans may be embracing renewable solutions more than the rest of the country is giving them credit for.

A new report released by Choose Energy, a San Francisco-based company that helps people choose energy plans within deregulated electricity markets (like that of Texas) revealed some data that may surprise people. The company found that Texas residents select 100% green energy plans more than any other state, with 1 in 3 customers choosing renewable-sourced electricity plans (i.e. electricity coming from wind or solar power). That’s more than both Connecticut and New York, two states that most people would expect to have exponentially higher numbers of green customers. However, in both markets, fewer than 10 percent of customers were selecting green plans.

We generate more electricity than any other state in the U.S. In 2012 alone, Texas pumped out 14,201 trillion BTUs of electricity. To put this number into perspective: Montana, the nation’s #2 producer of electricity, only generated 9,611 trillion BTUs in the same year.

But not only do we produce the most electricity, we also produce more green energy than any other state! We have over 100 wind power plants across the state. In fact, we lead the nation in wind-generated electricity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that in 2013, our state generated around 36 million megawatt hours of electricity from wind energy. If that weren’t enough, our solar industry continues to grow as well.

Renewable energy is both plentiful and affordable in the Lone Star State, so it makes sense that more and more customers are jumping on the green bandwagon every year. But Choose Energy also suggests that even in situations where green energy might be more costly than “brown” energy, Texans still opt for the more environmentally-conscious plan in support of energy independence.

Even with our reputation as an oil-friendly state, Texas is leading the way in green electricity. As a company committed to reducing our own energy consumption and creating a healthier, safer world, we’re excited to see so many people adopting renewable, sustainable solutions for their energy needs. When consumers purchase 100% green plans, it increases the demand for efficient energy, which propels the green sector even further into success.

Ceiling fans are sometimes looked over when decorating a home. Besides of freshening a room, fans complete a room design and composition. It’s important to understand how size and height affect the fan’s efficiency and overall look of a room. A ceiling fan that’s too big will overpower the room’s design and visually pull the ceiling downwards; a fan that’s too small won’t properly circulate the air.

The best Allen electrician can tell you that chances are, your air conditioning unit is probably going to be the most frequently used electrical appliance in your home this summer.  Making sure that the a/c unit is running efficiently and safely is the best way to save money and prevent costly and dangerous electrical problems. Still, as the best Allen electrician will also tell you, preventing electrical issues can be difficult for someone who doesn’t recognize electrical problems immediately. After all, most of us who are not professionals probably don’t.

Surprise! It’s NOT Your Unit

As the temperatures rise this summer, keeping up with the maintenance of your air conditioning unit is one of the most important things you should do. However, when customers hear about maintaining their a/c unit, they often think in terms of Freon and condensers. The truth is that, although those are clearly important, one aspect that is often overlooked is the electrical part.

It may surprise you to know that calling an air conditioning guy when your unit is on the fritz isn’t always the right thing to do. In fact, any Allen electrician will confirm that, indeed, half the time the problems aren’t with the a/c unit but with the electrical system. If the problems are electrical, they can result in dangerous blowouts and burnouts that could cost you a fortune—or even your home, if a fire were to start. So, with so many things that could go wrong, how can you be sure that the problem calls for an Allen electrician and not an air conditioning repairman?

Air Conditioning Electrical Safety Tips

For instance, did you know that a lot of electrical problems arise when swapping air conditioning units? Something as deceptively simple as trading your current unit for another one, especially if the new unit is larger, can wreak havoc on your electrical system. The amount of wattage required to power the new unit can result in overloading, overheating and damage to the unit as well as to your home’s electrical system. You can burn the lines quickly. Some who think that they have found the solution in splicing their lines to accommodate a newer unit may also be in for a dangerous wake-up call. Splicing lines is never a good idea. When in doubt, call your local electrician. He understands what should be done.

Another thing that your electrician understands that you may not be aware of is that you need him to come out and inspect your circuit breakers regularly to make sure that no wires are melting, no circuits are going bad, and there are no potential fire hazards looming. Because a/c units consume so much power, many times they are wired directly into a circuit breaker. Loose connections in the circuit breaker can cause many problems, including irreparable damage to the electrical system. Be sure to always have an electrician come check your breaker and wiring to be on the safe side.

The electrical work is not limited to the obvious parts of the unit that may need help. The Forced Air Unit (FAU) part of your air conditioning unit is one of the most prone to electrical failures, and yet it is the one part that is often overlooked because it’s located somewhere in a closet, a spare room, or a utility space inside the home. The blower fan inside the FAU often blows out, causing issues with the overall functioning of the unit. Here’s the best way to prevent this: Make sure your electrician does routine maintenance on every part of your air conditioning unit, including the FAU, to prevent blowouts.

Electric Man: Best Allen Electrician

The best Allen electrician makes no bones about the importance of checking your electrical systems when turning on your air conditioning for the sizzling Texas summer, and how much you can save on your summer electricity bill, repair costs and a/c maintenance and repair. As summer heats up, let the team at Electric Man take a look at your unit and help you save money, time and repairs. For more helpful tips, read ElectricMan’s blog or connect with us on any of our social communities. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 972-792-7270, or use the Contact form on our website!