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

If you’re thinking of installing solar panels for your home, you’re probably doing a lot of research to see what the costs and your options are. There is a lot to get up to speed on, so let’s start with what solar panels cost.

Solar panels have been steadily dropping in price, due to more efficient manufacturing and increased popularity. Currently, they are at an all time low, and the cost of a solar panel is around $5 per watt of output. A quick look at your monthly electric bill should help you figure out what you need, in terms of power.

That’s just part of the equation though. The main reason for installing solar panels is to save money on electricity. Depending on where you live, you may be able to make some money by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Rates vary for this, so be sure to investigate the options fully.

Buying solar panels appears to be a big investment, but most people find that they are able to pay them off in under ten years, and sometimes faster. There is a complex mix of factors that determines that timeline, including your power consumption.

There are federal tax credits available for people purchasing solar panels, and usually work out to the tune of 30 percent of the purchase price of the system, including converters and batteries. That’s a significant incentive. Between the tax credit, selling energy, and the long-term promise of energy independence, there has never been a better time to get solar panels.

Of course, it’s all a little overwhelming. What you need is someone who is familiar with the territory to walk you through all the steps. The Electric Connection has the experience and the connections to get you started on the path to energy independence. Give us a call today to get the process started.

Every home uses energy in some way, shape, or form. For most of the population, this energy comes in the form of electricity from the power grid. According to Dayton Power & Light, an average of 46 percent of a home’s energy consumption goes into heating and cooling the home. Another 12 percent of energy consumption goes into lighting. While many individuals may think that all energy efficiency improvements are made through construction changes, like new windows, there are plenty of upgrades that can be made on the electrical system to improve your energy usage. Take a look at how a residential electrician can help you today.

We all forget to turn off the lights when we leave the room from time to time. Or perhaps you leave your back porch light on all night for safety. These habits can be a large energy drain but they don’t have to be. Motion sensor lighting, especially for exterior or commercial uses, can make a home much more efficient by turning the lights on when you need them and off when you don’t.

While your first thought may not be about needing the local residential electrician when you upgrade to ENERGY STAR® appliances, it may be a phone call you have to make anyway. Upgrading appliances such as the washer, dryer, or air conditioning unit may also mean addressing the power output of your home. Even ENERGY STAR appliances run on more wattage than older appliances used to and therefore the upgrade may put a strain on your electrical system and circuit breaker.

The residential electricians at Electrical Gurus can provide you with an energy efficiency evaluation of your home to help you identify your biggest electricity drains and how you can improve upon them. Contact us today!

Outdoor lighting provides homeowners with the ability to make their property safe and easier to walk around at night. Not only will you feel more comfortable knowing what’s in your front yard, but you will also add visual appeal to your home too. If you want to improve outdoor safety through lighting, and at the same time add a little character to the outside of your home, then follow along to understand the potential upgrades you can make for outdoor lighting options.