When looking for a home a lot of homebuyers flip the light switches, check the outlets, briefly look at the electrical panel, and think that the electrical system is perfectly fine. However, this is not always the case and it is important to have an expert come in for inspection.

Your home’s electrical system will age, just like your plumbing, roof,  air conditioning and heating system.  Those systems can have unexpected issues and problems, and so can your home’s electrical system.

Over ten years, the reliability of your homes’ electrical system can deteriorate greatly. Certain components can expire, like smoke detectors. Other items can wear out and not function properly like light switches, receptacles can wear and lose retention, GFCI outlets and smoke detectors may not be operable and may not be there when you need them most. Here are a few electrical components that can change over time and here is some information regarding other problems associated with older homes electrical systems.

A ten year checkup is a good idea. We always will perform a complete inspection with every service call. But if you haven’t needed to call in an electrician for a while, it’s a good idea to have one come in at least every ten years and provide a comprehensive check of your electrical systems.

Gas prices are fabulous—right now. We all know it is only a matter of time before the gas prices creep back up and we will once again be forced to pull from other areas of our monthly budget to afford to drive our vehicles. Many people have already made the switch to electric cars in an attempt to save money on their gas bills while reducing the strain on natural resources. There are plenty of different models of electric cars available that are sure to suit your needs. When you make an electric car purchase, you will likely also buy a charging station for you car. An electrician in Pasadena has some vital information for you. The team at The Electric Connection can also help answer questions about the electrical requirements of your electric car charging station.

When you buy your car, you will have the choice to buy a Level I or a Level II charging station. A Level I station is essentially a trickle charger. It sends a small charge to your car and can take upwards of 24 hours to fully charge the car. This charging station can be plugged into a standard outlet. However, it will need to be the only item plugged into that outlet and should be on its own breaker. If you need additional outlets or breakers, your electrician can take care of that for you.

A Level II charger is a fast charging system that typically fully charges a car in about 8 hours. This charging station requires a 240-volt outlet, which is not standard in your garage. It is a special outlet that will require installation by an electrician experienced with Pasadena electrical requirements. An inspection of your breaker panel will need to be conducted to make sure you have room for an additional breaker dedicated to your fast charging station. These are all things your electrician will evaluate on the first call. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your consultation.

On average, over 350,000 home fires take place every year, claiming thousands of lives. How are your smoke detectors functioning? Don't make these mistakes with your smoke detectors:

Make sure your smoke detectors are installed correctly The U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. At a minimum, alarms should be located on all levels of your home, at least one near each sleeping area and preferably additional detectors in pathways between sleeping areas and exits out of your home. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, smoke or use heat-producing appliances in or near your bedroom, or have noisy appliances in your bedroom that could block the sound of a smoke detector (TVs, stereos, air conditioners, and more), it is especially important to install one inside each bedroom. Always use a licensed electrician when installing hardwired smoke alarms. Alarms should be installed:

Smoke detectors save lives. Don’t fall victim to these common smoke detector problems or behind today’s recommended standards for protection. Contact Mr. Electric® today to ensure the proper installation and operation of these life-saving safety devices in your home.

As we prepare for fall and eventually winter, there are probably plenty of jobs you need to get done in the house. We often focus a lot of our time and energy on the outdoors during the spring and summer months and the indoors gets neglected. The following tasks are some things you will want to take care of with the help of an electrician in Burbank. The team at The Electric Connection will make sure your tasks are taken care quickly and professionally.

GFCIs

Ground fault control interrupters are excellent safety features to add to your kitchen and bathroom areas. The outlets prevent against electric shock when an appliance comes into contact with water. The second the circuit is interrupted by contact with water, the electricity to the circuit is automatically cut off. This can prevent the person holding the appliance from being shocked.

Smoke Detectors

The standard smoke detector you have in your home may not be quite as safe as you would think. These battery powered smoke detectors must have fresh batteries in order to work properly. There is also the risk of not hearing a smoke detector down the hall or in another room. Hard-wired smoke detectors are a better option. They are wired directly into your home’s main power and are interconnected. When one alarm is sounded, all the alarms will go off. This can add several minutes to your escape time.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are an excellent way to circulate warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. There is some minor Burbank electrical work involved that can be taken care of by an experienced electrician. Ceiling fans are energy efficient and can save you money on your electric bill.

If you would like some help taking care of these small, but necessary upgrades around your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.