Kolb Electric, here, and we wanted to discuss a fairly common topic we’ve noted with our patrons as of late. We’ve been getting a lot of “Is this normal?” Or “Is this a common problem?” questions on our projects and calls recently. This got us to thinking; maybe people would be interested in learning a bit about what electrical problems our Baltimore electricians encounter regularly.

What would we consider to be a fairly normal issue? And what would be an oddball? Answers to this and more today in:

No problem is ever “normal’, per se. That’s why it’s a problem! But there are certainly some issues we see regularly:

So why do we feel like it’s a good idea to clue you in on our most common repairs? Partially because information is fun, but mostly because problem is the key word here. Understanding that these common issues are indeed problems that should be looked into by our Baltimore electricians is important.

Any instance of poor wiring, flickering lights, under-maintained equipment or general electrical funny business should be addressed right away! Leaving them alone or ignoring them can be hazardous, or can lead to much larger electrical problems. So have them handled by a pro right away!

If you note any of the issues we mentioned today (or any other electrical problems), contact the certified Baltimore electricians at Kolb today! Our experts can have your electrical appliances and wiring in perfect working order in no time at all!

Why is it you can replace some lights with more ‘advertised’ lumens with a LED light with less lumens. Here are 4 reasons:

1. Focused Lumens:

LED light is directional, conventional light sources are omnidirectional and require reflectors to gather the light and focus it to where it is needed. Any reflection that is over 1 bounce effectively loses the effect of the lumen. It has been proven that you can lose up to 30% of the effective lumens in this process.

The science of scotopic lumens is associated with a factor that allows us to adjust the photopic value to give a true representation of how useful the lumens are. The factor, developed by scientists, is an attempt to level the playing field. The factor is used to adjust the effective value of the lumen, either up or down from the advertised photopic lumen advertised on the package. Some lights, like HPS, have a factor that reduces the lumen amount. LED, on the other hand, typically has a factor > 1.7, which means the lumens it is producing is far more effective to us. Therefore, less lumens is required to do the job.

We have been very successful replacing 400W Metal Halide bulbs with our 18W LED tube, producing 1900 lumens, compared to a 32W 4 ft fluorescent tube, producing close to 2900 lumens. The main reason is all our lumens are coming straight down, where as only a small portion of the fluorescent tube is coming down and the majority of the light is requiring  a reflector to gather it and shine it downwards. After many projects, our customers tell us that it is brighter and feels better than working underneath fluorescent lighting

Are you curious about solar energy, but scared away by the up-front costs? It's an understandable concern. Although going solar can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your electricity bill, the initial installation of the panels can cost between $15,000 and $30,000, far beyond the reach of many homeowners. However, a shift in the market means that solar energy isn't just a luxury product anymore – it's now within the financial reach of families across America.

Cheaper Parts and New Leasing Models

There are several factors at play that make solar energy more accessible to middle and working class families:

But How Does it Work?

Most solar systems don't actually power your house directly from the solar panels. Instead, the panels are hooked into the electricity grid, and the utility company purchases whatever energy you produce. Normally, a home will still consume more electricity than it produces, so the homeowner will owe the utility some amount of money – but a sum much lower than that of a normal electricity bill. For homes that are perfectly positioned, it is possible to produce more electricity than you use, and therefore cancel out the bill entirely.

For a more off-the-grid option, some people hook their solar panels up to batteries and power their homes directly. However, under this setup, you have to carefully limit your consumption so you don't drain the batteries prematurely. You also won't be eligible for a no-cost-up-front leasing program either.

Will Solar Work for Me?

There are several factors that determine the suitability of your home for solar panels. Among others, the size and orientation of your roof and how much shade it receives play a big role. The sunniness of your climate is also an important consideration. If you want to investigate going solar, you can have technicians come to your house to measure the roof and give you an estimate of how much power you can produce on-site.

Partnering with a company like Direct Energy Solar comes with other benefits as well. If you opt for the free installation model, you don't own the panels, so the company takes care of all necessary repairs and maintenance. The company also handles all the red tape and paperwork, so all you have to do is sit back and feel good about helping the environment while saving money on utility bills thanks to the enduring power of the sun.

The traditional lighting style–while tasteful and low-key–provides just the right touch when you want to draw the eye to a design focal point without overpowering it. Few lighting styles work as unobtrusively as transitional chandeliers while managing to showcase an advanced stylishness for discerning design aficionados. You can choose from Capitol’s vast selection of lighting features that include:

• Multiple glass shade shapes

• Brass, crystal and metal finishes to complement existing or planned furnishings

• Finishes that include bronze tones, gold accents, brushed nickel, polished nickel, clear and crystal

• Fixture styles that include pendant lights, chandeliers, mini chandeliers, island lights, flush-mounted lights, recessed lighting and track and rail lighting

• Bulb types that include incandescent, fluorescent, halogen and LED technologies

• Energy Star lighting efficiency

• Title 24 compliant

• Dimmable fixtures