Since we covered outdoor lighting last time, this week we thought we would focus on lighting that you use more frequently. Everyone wants a house with good lighting. A bright house can fill you with energy or create a peaceful atmosphere. There are plenty of options out there for you if you are redoing your indoor lighting.

Pot lights are becoming a popular option in many homes over the last few years. Because pot lights are receded you can get a great “clean” look in any room. You can put many pot lights in one room without it looking busy or overwhelming. This also helps to give great light coverage from corner to corner.

In February we talked about adding a new chandelier to your home. This is a fantastic option for those with a big open space. A chandelier can bring the room together and look great. If you pick out the right one you can also add tons of light to a dark space. For those of you looking for something above and beyond this could be the right option.

Ceiling fans offer both functionality and aesthetics. We previously discussed the efficiencies’ of having a ceiling fan during the summer to keep your home cool. With a ceiling fan you can turn down your thermostat and let the fan regulate the air. Ceiling fans also come in a wide variety of styles, ensuring that there is one for every room. If you have an upper level room that is just getting too warm during the summer months, a ceiling fan is perfect for you.

Track lighting used to be bulky and unattractive. But the design has significantly improved over the years. Now you can find sleek designs with a combination of heads and lights. Track lighting allows you to focus the lights in the places that need it most. In a living room you can create a cool environment, or in a kitchen you can brighten up a workspace.

Each one of these lighting options can fit a different space. Take a look at your room and think about what works best for you.

If you have a breaker or several breakers that are tripping, there are some things you can do to keep it from happening. If you are not comfortable with trying to diagnose the problem, you can call The Electric Connection. We have skilled electricians who can certainly take care of the troubleshooting process for you.

Follow these troubleshooting guidelines from your electrician in Glendale to see if you can identify the problem.

1-Note what is plugged in when the breaker trips. It is possible the breaker is being overloaded. You will need to reduce the number of appliances running off of one breaker. Microwaves should be on their own outlet when possible. Do not resort to using several powerstrips that are completely loaded. This is another major draw and can overburden a breaker. If you need additional outlets or another breaker, give your electrician a call.

2-Your large appliances like the air conditioning unit, hot tub or dryer should all be on their own dedicated circuits. If this is not the case, call an electrician. Glendale homeowners will need the expertise of a certified electrician to take care of this situation.

3-Carefully check each appliance that is plugged in when the breaker trips. There may be an issue with the appliance or the wiring. Don’t use it anymore.

A breaker that trips often for no apparent reason should always be inspected by an electrician. It could be an indication of a bigger problem. Sometimes, the breaker will need to be replaced. In other cases, the electrical wiring to the outlet/s may be the issue. In any event, it is always a good idea to have an electrical inspection completed to check for any serious problems that could be a fire hazard. If you are interested in learning more about this, give The Electric Connection a call today.

In just about any home you visit, the kitchen is often the focal point and the most frequented area. Think about the amount of work that gets done in such a small amount of square footage. With massive appliances like a fridge, stove, or dishwasher doing hours of work a day, it is important that your home electrical system has been planned and installed properly to support this work force.

In the kitchen you have some of the most energy hungry appliances you can find in a home. The energy to keep these running comes from the electrical outlet. If the outlet is not designed to give the amount of electricity that the appliance requires there can cause damage to the appliance and to your home’s electrical system. For some of the main appliances in the kitchen the electrical outlets should be:

Of course with the size of the appliance these requirements can vary. As fridges become larger and stoves get more features, the appliance may require much more. It is important to check the requirements of your new appliances prior to installation. Make sure that you have an expert electrician check your outlets and compare them to the requirements of your new appliances.

To make sure appliances are getting the right energy requirements, you can follow the outlet to the electrical panel. When there is a heavy load on a circuit, it is important to check that the appliances are given their own circuit and that the wires behind the wall are up to code to support the capacity. If too many appliances are on the same circuit you can continuously trip the circuit causing larger problems in the long run. Also, if the wiring does not comply to code there is a chance of an electrical fire. This is a scary problem because it can hide behind the walls for years before it can happen.

If you are planning on purchasing new kitchen appliances or remodeling your kitchen make sure that you have done your homework. Review what your kitchen and home’s electrical system are capable of and what your new appliances require. The best way to know for sure is have an expert electrician do a thorough review before installing the new appliances. This can not only put your mind at ease, but avoid expensive bills in the future.

You’re all packed for your trip, and you think you have thought of everything your family will need while away, but it is important to consider how to keep your home protected while you are gone. Taking a few steps to ensure your home safety while away on vacation can lend great peace of mind as you travel and relax on your vacation. Here are a few action items you should consider to prevent break-ins and add to your peace of mind while you are away from home.

If newspapers are piling up on your porch, it is easy to guess that nobody is home. Hold services can often be placed online, so you can have all your mail and papers delivered once you return.

Keeping the lawn trimmed while you are out will keep up the appearance of your home being inhabited and add to your home safety while away on vacation. You can hire a service to take care of cutting the lawn, or maybe you have a friend who can help keep the front yard from looking abandoned. Thieves are lazy, so if it looks like you’re home, they’ll move on.

Use timers to turn your inside lights on at the right times some downstairs some upstairs and to keep the outdoor lights on at night only. It’s a little thing, but having the porch light on all day may be a giveaway that the lights are one but nobody is home.

Of course, a window can be broken, but it is easier for a thief to keep a low profile by opening doors or windows that may be easy targets. Install deadbolts on exterior doors and keep a dowel or good window lock on all windows.

It is a good idea to look at all your faucets indoors and out to make sure they are not leaking. You would not want to come home from vacation to find interior flooding from a sink that should not have been left running.

Having adequate coverage against theft will insure that you can recover your losses should you have a break-in.

By taking a few extra steps before heading off on your travels, you can add to your home safety while away on vacation. Get your home well protected, and take care of safety details now so that you can avoid worries while you are out.