Is it just a coincidence, or was the script written? She was pretty enough to be a Beverly Hills model, but that was not ever in her plans. I met Daisy when she was barely six months old, precocious little thing with a jolly smile and big blue eyes. I remember seeing her face light up one day as I turned on a table lamp. Deciding to have some fun, I turned it off and back on a few times as she giggled with each event as though it was major. She was fascinated by this activity; she never got bored with this phenomenon that we all took for granted. It really was not that surprising to hear her first words at nine months of age when she pointed to a light that had been flicked on and said with certainty, “Ders de light!”

Most of us live our lives using up electricity without a thought, but then there are those like Daisy, who want to know everything about it. Light bulbs, surge protectors and electrical tools grabbed her attention faster than any toy. One day a local electrician in Beverly Hills spent the day adding some outdoor lighting and new electrical circuits, and even though she was only 3, she followed him around, mesmerized by his work. At age 5, all she wanted for Christmas was a kit that would allow her to build an electrical generator of her very own. When she was 8 years old, she had a sign on her bedroom door that read: DAISY: Electrician Beverly Hills CA.

When she needed to write an essay in Junior High, she jumped at the chance to tell everyone why you should not put metal objects in your microwave. She thoroughly covered how it could prevent the food from heating properly and it might also cause electrical sparks. Her next piece was an overview detailing the benefits of whole house surge protectors. She knew something that every Beverly Hills electrician knew, which was that when an electrical surge hits your home, those little surge protectors are nowhere near as effective. A whole house surge protector even protects cable and telephone lines. When it came to anything electrical, Daisy knew her stuff, including all about Thomas Edison’s influence over the world of electricity and another little known “electrical wizard,” Nikola Tesla, who is considered the “father of modern radio.” Those two were her idols.

Career day in high school gave her the opportunity to visit a company in Beverly Hills called The Electric Connection. A dream come true, she was able to accompany a real live Beverly Hills electrician as he did electrical bids for new recessed lighting, a smoke detector installation, an electrical spa hook up, a ceiling fan installation, an electrical panel upgrade, a house rewire and a lot of electrical troubleshooting. He was so impressed with her knowledge that at the end of the day, he gave her a commendation diploma, reminiscent of that sign on her door and confirming her position: Honorary Electrician, Beverly Hills.

Daisy went on to pursue her science interests in college, get her PHD in nuclear physics and work for a large corporation until just recently. Now she stays home teaching her two kids how to follow their passion, whatever it is. She still uses electricians in Beverly Hills, and looks forward to having a spark ignited between like minds as she carries on stimulating conversations concerning custom lighting or panel upgrades. She hires Beverly Hills electricians mostly for the conversation because one thing is for sure – she can do almost anything when it comes to electricity.

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Whether you have a spacious and expansive wraparound porch or a cozy stoop to welcome you inside, the front porch is the perfect place to establish a mood that flows throughout the home. Today I’ve rounded up a unique collection of front porch decorating ideas that celebrate the beauty of Spring with bright colors and endless charm.

Springtime is all about freshness and a world ablaze with color. This bright DIY welcome mat filters out both the dirt and the troubles of your day.

I’m a big fan of coming up with Etsy.)

Unique ways to display a bounty of your Spring flowers abound in these fresh front porch planter ideas that are anything but predictable.

via submersible LED tape lights to your water feature.

As you welcome your friends and family into your home this year, there are many ways to welcome Spring too. Small touches and pops of color are simple ways to turn your front porch into a bright and cheerful space to invite guests into the home.

Every home uses energy in one form or the other; and in most instances, this electricity comes from the power grid. Statistics indicate that almost 50% of a home’s energy is used by its HVAC systems while about 12% goes into the lighting. Most property owners presume that all the energy-efficiency upgrades happen through various home improvement upgrades such as replacement of wooden windows and doors with energy-efficient 2 or 3-paned vinyl windows etc.

While these changes do add to the energy-efficiency of your home, there are a number of electrical systems and maintenance upgrades that can significantly improve your energy usage, such as:

It’s not uncommon for us to occasionally leave the lights on when we leave a room. Or there may be times when we leave the deck, patio or poolscapes lights on all night with the security aspect in view. These types of habits can become a significant energy drain, but there is a way to curb that. We can install motion sensor lighting in the exterior spaces of your home; the lights will get switched on only when the sensor picks up any movement within its range. This helps you save energy without compromising on the safety factor in any way.

Most people don’t realise that their local electrician can help them when they are upgrading to energy efficient appliances. The fact of the matter is that simply replacing older appliances with ones that have high energy star ratings may not always help them reduce their electricity bills.

When you upgrade the appliances in your home such as air-conditioners, dryers, dishwashers and washing machines etc., these appliances tend to need a higher wattage compared to the older ones; this means the upgrade may actually strain the circuit breakers and your electrical system. It’s important to get a skilled electrician to come and check whether the existing wiring and system is built to bear the higher electrical loads that the newer, advanced systems need.

Inadequate or improper insulation is one more major sources of energy loss on most properties. And if you are considering a home renovation/remodelling/extension project, it’s a good idea to upgrade the insulation in your house as well.

Today, many property owners are quite committed to opting for eco-friendly alternatives to many materials and systems. If you feel you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to consider installing solar panels in your home. This can significantly reduce your reliance on grid power.

Upgrading appliances or making major electrical upgrades can sometimes prove to be an expensive proposition and may not fit into everyone’s budget. This is why it’s important to know how to make some smaller changes that will also add to your home’s energy-efficiency. Some things that can make a big difference are:

We at AllRound Electricals can provide excellent energy audits and electrical upgrade and maintenance solutions. For more information, contact our friendly team at this number – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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If you are like most families, you probably have an extension cord – if not multiples – around your house. But did you know that these are among the most dangerous electrical appliances in your home? If not used properly or cared for appropriately, an extension cord could be the cause of fatal injuries, electrocutions, or even a house fire.

Not all extension cords are the same and it is important to select the appropriate extension cord for your needs. The next time you go to grab the same old extension cord, ask yourself these three questions that will help you determine whether it is appropriate for the task at hand.

If you are looking to use an extension cord outside, you must check to make sure that it is equipped for such. An outdoor extension cord has tougher insulation/jacket allowing it to withstand moisture, temperature change, UV rays, etc. An extension cord that is safe for outside use will say so clearly on its packaging. If you are not sure, contact the manufacturer.

The length and gage of your extension cord will determine the wattage rating of the cord. Ensure your device(s) wattage doesn’t exceed the cords wattage, this could cause overheating and/or a fire. The wattage of a device is generally found on a tag attached to the cord. Again, if you are not sure, contact the manufacturer to clarify. Better safe than sorry!

Another important consideration is the length of time that you are using the extension cord. An extension cord is only intended for temporary use. Leaving an extension cord plugged in will cause electricity to continue to circulate through the device and could potentially cause overheating, a fire or defects to the device. If you are looking for a permanent fix, look into installing more electrical outlets around your home and plug your device directly into the outlet.

For more information on how to ensure the safety of your home and devices, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.