The holidays are upon us and though you’re probably more concerned with making holiday plans, you should also take aluminum wiring replacement in Manassas into consideration this year. Though it may seem your current electrical system is working well with aluminum wiring, it is highly dangerous to have in your home. Though it was popular many years ago to install aluminum wiring in homes, they have proven to be hazardous, leading to higher risks of residential fires!

Though you’ll have plenty of good times this holiday season, many Manassas homeowners aren’t fully aware of the dangers of having aluminum wiring in their home. Here are the dangers you should know:

We tend to get a little bit of cabin fever towards the end of the winter months. While the weather isn’t too terribly cold, it still isn’t exactly ideal to be out gardening or tending flower beds in January. Your desire to improve your home by making little changes is normal and many people resort to taking care of the inside of their home during winter. This is an excellent time to take care of those little projects like switching out that bathroom faucet, painting the spare bedroom or maybe adding a new ceiling fan. A Beverly Hills electrician can help you with the ceiling fan. In fact, it is best to hire a professional to take care of any home improvement jobs that involve electricity. You can rely on The Electric Connection to provide reliable and knowledgeable electricians.

A ceiling fan can really change the overall look of a room. There are so many different styles to choose from you are sure to find one that matches your current décor. Because most fans include lights, this is another way to change the ambiance in a room. Ceiling fans are not just for the living room or dining room. They make excellent additions to bedrooms and remodeled basements as well. The fans can be used to replace a current light fixture in a room. This is definitely something you will need to leave to your electrician. Beverly Hills residents will appreciate knowing the wiring to the fan has been installed by a professional who knows the proper way to hookup a fan.

Along with adding a certain aesthetic appeal to a room, ceiling fans can actually help reduce the cost to heat and cool your home. It is like getting a bonus! The fans can be used during the summer to help create a cool breeze while circulating the cool air throughout a room. During the winter, the fan pushes the warm air that rises to the ceiling down into the actual living space. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your fan installation.

Christmas is upon us again and more than any other time of year, it’s the time of year where people put strain on their electrical system.  The lights on your house and the beautiful decorations you’ve been storing in your attic finally are brought out and plugged in for your friends and neighbors to view and appreciate.  And, of course, the vast majority of homes you visit have at least one Christmas tree.  Since most of these things are electrical, it’s probably not a surprise to you that, as a top Dallas electrician, I start getting a lot of calls this time of year.  Though it’s always nice to have the business with Christmas so close, I thought it’d be great to share with ways to avoid wiring problems with your Christmas decorations this year:

 In general, there are a few important tips that can help you avoid wiring problems.  If your lights look frayed or dangerous, they should always be replaced or repaired before using them, frayed wiring are hazardous.  You should take care that your electrical source is safe before you even begin the installation process.  To avoid the potential for overloads, you should have dedicated circuits installed for your holiday decorations.

Most importantly, you should never try to supply power for your lights without contacting a top Dallas electrician to help you install the necessary equipment and make the necessary safety precautions.  Short cuts are potentially dangerous. I can remember one example where a customer had supplied power to their lights by splicing an extension cord directly into their circuit breaker box!  Even worse, they’d shut the breaker box door, pinching the cabling!  Left unchecked, even if this hadn’t started a fire, damage from a power surge or overload could have easily destroyed their whole breaker, meaning they’d have to spend thousands to repair the damage at the absolute worst time of year!

Christmas is upon us again and more than any other time of year, it’s the time of year where people put strain on their electrical system.  The lights on your house and the beautiful decorations you’ve been storing in your attic finally are brought out and plugged in for your friends and neighbors to view and appreciate.  And, of course, the vast majority of homes you visit have at least one Christmas tree.  Since most of these things are electrical, it’s probably not a surprise to you that, as a top Dallas electrician, I start getting a lot of calls this time of year.  Though it’s always nice to have the business with Christmas so close, I thought it’d be great to share with ways to avoid wiring problems with your Christmas decorations this year:

             In general, there are a few important tips that can help you avoid wiring problems.  If your lights look frayed or dangerous, they should always be replaced or repaired before using them, frayed wiring are hazardous.  You should take care that your electrical source is safe before you even begin the installation process.  To avoid the potential for overloads, you should have dedicated circuits installed for your holiday decorations.

Most importantly, you should never try to supply power for your lights without contacting a top Dallas electrician to help you install the necessary equipment and make the necessary safety precautions.  Short cuts are potentially dangerous. I can remember one example where a customer had supplied power to their lights by splicing an extension cord directly into their circuit breaker box!  Even worse, they’d shut the breaker box door, pinching the cabling!  Left unchecked, even if this hadn’t started a fire, damage from a power surge or overload could have easily destroyed their whole breaker, meaning they’d have to spend thousands to repair the damage at the absolute worst time of year!

With July ending and August coming around the corner, summer is cooling and that means it is the perfect time to go camping! Taking a camping trip before the start of the school year and the business that comes with the fast approaching holiday season will give you and your family the opportunity to relax and chill out. Make your camping adventure stand out this year and check out some of these camping tips!

What to Bring on a Camping Trip

With any luck, each camping trip proves to be a unique experience. There are many wonderful things that nature has to offer. But, no matter where you’re headed, a few things should always come with you. Below is the “short list” of camping essentials that should always be packed:

The tent is the focal point of most camping trips. If you’re a beginning camper, there are a couple of different tent tips to remember. First and foremost, practice pitching your tent before you head to the campsite. Being able to do it quickly and effectively is extremely valuable. When looking for a place to set up, always look for a “natural bed” of soft, flat soil – but avoid the bottom of hills or valleys. Finally, always set up a tarp below your tent to avoid potential damage or water-logging.

Campers can also benefit from a few non-specific outdoor principles. Rule number one, no matter the time of year, is to dress in (or at least carry) layers. It’s the easiest and most effective way to control your body temperature. Secondly, learn how to use a GPS or map and compass. No matter how familiar you are with a certain wooded area, getting lost among acres of similar-looking trees is very easy. Finally, practice basic outdoor skills such using and sharpening a utility knife, tying various knots, and building a fire. It’s this knowledge that separates the amateurs from the seasoned campers.

Budget for a Camping Trip

Like most anything else, budgeting for a camping trip is easiest when you start big and work your way down. First, decide upon an amount you can afford, and make a resolution not to exceed it. Then, begin to factor in the larger expenses – things like food, gas, necessary equipment, and campsite fees. From there, work your way down to smaller items until you come close to the spending limit.

As that line is tested, you’ll have to make the nitpicky decisions that ultimately determine your trip’s bottom line. For instance, you could eliminate that traditional fast food stop on the way there in favor of pre-prepared sandwiches. Little decisions such as these tend to add up in the grand scheme of financial matters, especially when it comes to discretionary spending.

Now that you know the basics of camping, what to bring, and how to squeeze outdoor adventure into your budget, nothing is left to keep you from hitting the woods! Enjoy one last “hoorah” before the busy season starts to stress you out.