Damaged wiring, DIY repairs and faulty installations are all common electrical mistakes which if not corrected in time can be hazardous and lead to short circuits, injury and electrical fires. If you encounter any of these 7 mistakes in your house, fix them immediately as they pose a serious risk to life and property.

Skip all the site hopping and countless hours in department stores; finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’ve put together a list of the best LED Christmas gifts for mom, dad, brother, sister, and any friend or family member. From custom-printed LED panel lights to rechargeable LED flashlights—we’ve got a great mix of LED lighting products that are sure to be a hit.

This LED strip light kit is great for cabinet lighting, under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, bookshelf lighting, and any other hard-to-light space. The weatherproof kit comes with everything needed for installation: a 16 1/2″ plug-and-play LED light strip, push-button dimmer, remote, UL-Listed 12V power supply, and connection accessories. Designed to last 30,000 hours, the LED light strip is available in cool white, natural white, or warm white colors.

Perfect for students or late-night workaholics, this long-lasting LED desk lamp offers a lot in the way of customization. Four dimming levels (up to 170 lumens) are available at the tap of its touch-activated button, and the sleek LED lamp is fully adjustable for the perfect amount of light right where it’s needed.

This REDLINE® RC™ Rechargeable LED Flashlight is a gift that keeps on giving. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the compact flashlight emits up to nine hours of powerful illumination, and its MagDock magnetic docking station provides a full charge in just two hours. Four different light intensities are available along with a strobe mode and 4x adjustable zoom. This durable little light is water and impact resistant with a non-slip grip, magnetic base, and an attached lanyard.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

One of the most frequent questions we hear is, “What’s the most energy-efficient light bulb I can use?” At Kolb Electric, we’re here to help you choose the best type of lighting for your Maryland, DC or Virginia home, and we want you to be well-informed about the energy efficient options that are out there. If you’re wanting to save even more, here’s everything you need to know about energy efficient lighting.

The two main choices for energy-efficient lighting in your home are light emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Both are a good choice, and both have unique benefits and drawbacks. Making the decision between the two requires a proper understanding of these benefits and drawbacks.

These two lighting options are so much more efficient and beneficial to the environment that incandescent bulbs have been gradually phased out in the United States. By 2020, all general-purpose bulbs must be able to produce at least 45 lumens per watt, which is a similar efficiency as that of CFL bulbs. It is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase traditional general-purpose incandescent bulbs in light of this phase out, though specialty bulbs are still available.

LED bulbs create light using a semiconductor to generate light energy. LED bulbs use about 1/30th of the energy used in incandescent bulbs and 1/3rd the energy in CFLs. They also last a long time—as much as 35 times the lifespan of an incandescent bulb—so you don’t have to worry about replacement regularly. With the energy savings and longer lifespan, estimates indicate you can lower your carbon footprint by as much as 85 percent simply by switching from incandescent technology to LED technology.

With an LED bulb, you can light your room with bright light and minimal energy use. Also, these bulbs generate very little heat energy, which means they are safe to touch. They are also quite durable and do not break easily, which means they are the preferred option for hard-to-reach places where a delicate glass bulb is in danger of shattering.

If that makes LED lights sound perfect, you need to know the one main drawback. LED lights are one of the most expensive options for lighting your home. While they lower your energy bills and have the longest lifespan of the available options, if your upfront budget is low, then this option may not work for you.

CFL bulbs bend a traditional fluorescent tube into a light bulb-shaped configuration. These are more affordable than LED bulbs and significantly more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they don’t quite last as long or save as much energy as LED bulbs.

With CFLs, you are able to lower your energy use by 60 percent as compared to incandescent bulbs that provide the same amount of light. They last about 10 times as long as incandescent bulbs, so you have less frequent need of replacement. While not as cheap as incandescent bulbs, CFLs are priced around $4 to $15 a piece. This is a more moderate price point than LEDs.

So why would you overlook the CLF in favor of LEDs? CFLs are more efficient than incandescent lighting, but they are not as efficient as LEDs. If you’re looking to have the most efficient option on the market, CLFs are not that option.

The answer to which lighting option you should choose depends largely on your goals. Is your goal to have the most efficient lighting available? Then you want LED bulbs. Are you adding a light bulb to a place that is hard to reach or not accessed regularly? The longevity and durability of LEDs makes them the best choice for this. Is your goal to go efficient while on a tight budget? Then CFLS will work best.

Regardless of the choice you make, both CLFs and LED lighting help you save money, lower your carbon footprint and do your part to make the world a better place with less environmentally damaging waste. If you’re curious about which lighting option will best meet your family’s needs or have further questions about the differences between LEDs and CFLS, Kolb Electric is here to help. Contact us today to have all of your questions answered!

Here at Kolb Electric, we’ve had numerous business owners throughout MD, DC, and VA approach us for more information about commercial light-emitting diodes—more commonly referred to as LEDs. Businesses everywhere have been forced to find ways to reduce their monthly expenses and save money in order to survive in these challenging economic times. Transitioning to commercial LED lighting is one of the ways businesses in the area can save money and enjoy other benefits as well.

Commercial LED lighting is very energy-efficient—replacing incandescent, halogen, or compact fluorescent light bulbs with LED lighting reduces energy consumption 50 – 85 percent. Some studies reveal that businesses have the potential to save as much as 60 percent on their electricity bill each month by making a total change from incandescent bulbs to LED lighting. ENERGY STAR reports that lighting is the largest cost component of a commercial building’s electricity bill and a significant portion of the total energy bill.

Some businesses shy away from LED bulbs because of their higher initial cost compared to other bulbs.  However, it will not take long for businesses to recoup this cost in the form of direct savings on electricity bills. Also, LED bulbs work by generating light using a semiconductor rather than relying on heating up a traditional filament. What does this mean for you? It means the highest quality LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours. The typical incandescent bulb, on the other hand, lasts only about 750 hours.

Work environment upgrades are closely tied with an improvement in the performance of employees. A Cornell University study estimates that a 3 – 5 percent gain in worker performance can be achieved with better lighting. In many cases, the gains in worker productivity alone are enough to offset the costs associated with commercial LED lighting. Light has a direct correlation with ease of reading, lower eyestrain, reduced errors, better turnaround time, reduced risk of musculoskeletal injuries, and psychological well-being.

The great thing about commercial LED lighting is that it can be tailored to meet your needs for color accuracy. Whether you want lighting that’s warm, cool, or neutral, the right type of LED lighting is available. Color rendering—the ability to make colors look true—must also be taken into account when it comes to LED lighting. The color rendering index (CRI) characterizes light sources in view of their ability to produce “natural light” and can be between 0 and 100. The closer an LED light comes to 100 on the CRI, the more naturally colors are rendered, and the light is perceived as more pleasant.

Transitioning to commercial LED lighting can help you save immediately on your electricity bills. The fact that LED lighting lasts significantly longer than incandescent bulbs and has the potential to improve employee performance is also beneficial to your business. If you want to learn about what type of commercial LED lighting is best for your business, contact us today.