If you’re not prepared for them, electrical repairs can be painful. And while certain things are obvious, sometimes it can be tricky to decide whether or not you need to call an electrician. Here are eight reasons people commonly call Kolb Electric:

Your circuits constantly trip – do your lights flicker every time you run the microwave? Can you not run more than a few electronic devices at a time? This may be a sign that your circuits are overloaded and are drawing more electrical current than they can provide. A heavy up should take care of the problem.

You have power strips everywhere – don’t have enough outlets? We can take care of that! Using too many power strips can overload your electrical system and can create a fairly serious fire risk. Call Kolb Electric to install additional circuits to keep your home safe.

You’re running extension cords under your carpets – running extension cords all over the house presents a couple different hazards. Not only are they easy to trip on, but they’re also not things you should be stepping on. Kolb Electric can install additional outlets so you’ll always have power where you need it.

Your light switches feel warm to the touch – warm or hot switches, or switches that shock you, should definitely be checked out. While it could mean your circuits are just overworked, it could also be a sign of something more dangerous.

You have aluminum wiring — according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, homes built before 1972 that have aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to create fire hazards than homes with copper wires.

Your lights flicker — do your lights seem to flicker or dim whenever your air conditioner, washing machine, or other large electrical device turns on? If so, call Kolb Electric! Our licensed electricians will assess your home’s circuits and make improvements to prevent these problems from continuing in the future.

You own a number of expensive electronics — you may already have surge protectors to take care of your expensive desktop computer or stereo system, did you know that an electrician can install a whole-house surge protection unit to make sure that all of your electronics are safe? Consider calling an expert and feel safe and sound at home.

You’ve never upgraded — if it’s been 25 years or more since you upgraded  your home’s electrical system, then you may be living with a sub-par one. Call an electrician so he or she can help move you into the modern era with a new system that will be more accommodating to the needs of today’s world.

If you need electrical troubleshooting in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, don’t wait—call Kolb Electric today!

Your home is yours to do with as you wish. There is no one size fits all and you will likely want to customize it to suit your needs. That is one of the joys of owning your home. You can paint the walls any color you choose and can use each room to suit your needs. Sometimes, there is a lot of extra space in the home that is going to waste. Your basement and the attic are often used as storage, but what if you could transform the area into a more comfortable storage space or even a living space? With a little help from a contractor and an electrician in Burbank, it is usually possible. You can feel confident when you call The Electric Connection that you will get a knowledgeable, experienced electrician to help you realize your dreams of more living space in your home.

If you just want to turn your storage space into a place that is a little more inviting, it is a good idea to have new lights installed by an electrician. Burbank residents will appreciate being able to see everything they have stored away. Often times a single light in the center of the space is all that is provided. This leaves the corners dark and tall shelves will block the light from really spreading out. An electrician can install new lighting to brighten up the space and make it much more user friendly.

You can also transform your basement into a man cave complete with outlets and light fixtures that make it much more habitable. An attic space is also a great place for a reading nook. You will need a couple of outlets to plug in fans, cell phone chargers or lamps. If you are ready to get the most out of your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.

A green home does not imply your home is actually the color green. It means you are doing your best to live in a home that relies on renewable sources like solar energy. Solar power is quickly growing in popularity as more people realize the extensive benefits to relying less on the power grid and more on energy that is free and readily available. There is no fear the sun is going to run out and you don’t have to worry about the sun raising its rates.

If you have ever thought about how you could do a little more for the environment while saving a few dollars, talk with your electrician. Glendale homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to provide them with valuable information and facts about solar energy.

So what is solar energy? Essentially, the sun’s rays are collected via solar panels. The energy is transformed into electricity to power your home. There are systems designed to store the energy your panels collect throughout the day. Your home will stay connected to the main power grid as a backup power source. You will not be without power, which is a misconception many people have. A basic system allows you to switch back and forth between solar energy and electricity from the main power grid.

Solar panels are not giant things that stick out like a sore thumb in your beautiful yard. They are aesthetically appealing and many are mounted right on your roof. Technology has made a lot of advancements and panels often blend right in with the rest of the roof. These are all things you can talk about with your electrician. Glendale residents have come to rely on the services of The Electric Connection for solar panel installation. If you are interested in having panels installed or would like to learn more about this energy option, give us a call today.