Anyone who has a security system installed on their premises knows exactly how much of research they have conducted before deciding which one to opt for. If you check what’s available in the market, you will find there really is an expansive range of security solutions to choose from, in varying price ranges. In many ways, this wide choice makes the decision more difficult. It’s probably why many people settle for devices that have the most advanced technology.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the end of the story! It doesn’t take too long for security technology to become outdated and get nudged out of the picture by newer, state-of-the-art, security systems. But you can’t really switch to the new technology that easily, even if you want to. After all, the security system you get installed represents a significant investment and you want to be able to use it for as long as you are able to.

If you are considering getting a security system for the first time, or are upgrading to a new one, there are certain things you should keep in view:

While all these factors are important, it’s also extremely important to ensure that the wiring in your home is completely synched to your security needs in the future. Technologies are always in evolve-mode. It’s difficult enough to accommodate the varied equipment that is an integral part of most households. But when you throw in security system-related wiring requirements, you might just be in for some unpleasant surprises, if you don’t keep your future needs in view.

When you are adding a new security system and upgrading your wiring, think about all the places you would want Ethernet, cable, Internet or any other wiring installations and how those needs may change in the future. The wiring you get done now, should keep these things in view. This will help make your security system more future proof than it already is.

For more security system wiring ideas and the best electrical solutions, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email.

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There are plenty of electricians listed in the phone book along with a handful of companies who take out large ads boasting about their expertise. It seems like a fairly straightforward task to open the book and pick out the electrician or the company that jumps out at you. However, you will want to choose a little more wisely than that. What should you look for when choosing a Beverly Hills electrician? At The Electric Connection, you will find electricians who meet the following traits.

Reliable

You absolutely need an electrician who is reliable and will get the job done within a decent amount of time. You want to be able to call a company who can meet your needs by providing you with electricians who are reliable and will show up as promised.

Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Only hire an electrician who is licensed, bonded and insured. Failure to do so could end up costing you a great deal of money. All contractors who have access to your home should meet these qualifications. This will allow you to check the license number of a particular electrician to ensure he or she has a good track record. If something does go wrong, whether the electrician is somehow injured or if something is damaged in the home, insurance will take care of the problem.

Reputable

It is always a good idea to check out the reputation of a company and an electrician. Beverly Hills residents can check with the Better Business Bureau as well as their friends and neighbors who may have had any work done. Ask your friends to recommend an electrician.

You can always count on The Electric Connection to meet all of these qualities as well as several others like providing prompt service and giving accurate quotes about a job. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment to take care of any of your electrical needs.

You might think that there's not a whole lot that you can personally do to save money on your energy bill. After all, you need to shower, cook, use the lights at night and wash and dry your clothes -- all which take up electrical energy. You might be surprised to learn that there are small things that you can do to help save energy at home and in the process save money on your electric bill. 

1. Pack more efficiently

You pack more than just clothes for your next vacation. You also pack items into your freezer and refrigerator. Much like improper packing for your vacation will leave you with less room, not packing your refrigerator and freezer the right way can wind up using more energy. 

In general, a full refrigerator and freezer are more energy efficient. The more empty space there is in these appliances, the more space warm air has to replace each time you open the door. 

If you don't want to keep your freezer and refrigerator full of food, containers with water can be a great substitute. You can also try keeping the most used items by the door. 

2. Watch out for vampire power

Is your home a haven for vampire power? Vampire power, also called standby power, among other names, refers to the power that appliances used when they are plugged in but in standby mode or turned off. Some examples of common culprits of vampire power include televisions, computers and chargers for cell phones and other electronics. 

Put bigger electronics, such as computers and televisions, on power strips and get into the habit of flipping them off when you're finished with them. Unplug smaller electronics and your chargers when you aren't using them. Plugging up unused outlets helps stop the leakage of outside air into your home. 

3. Schedule a home audit

Nearly all homeowners want to save energy but few think that their home is a bastion of energy efficiency. An energy audit by a professional energy auditor can pinpoint the problem areas in your home and provide affordable ways to address them. Paying for the weatherization of your home can be expensive upfront. The long term energy savings as well as any tax breaks offered by the government can help you pay for it. 

LED streetlights are great for the environment. They consume much less energy than standard high-intensity discharge (LED streetlights. What some cities have failed to consider, however, is that while LED streetlights are capable of emitting different colors of light, not every color should be used in public outdoor spaces. Bright blue-rich white light can cause some issues for residents, local wildlife, and night sky visibility. When it comes to streetlights, the warmer the color/correlated color temperature (

studies showing that it can even aid in IBS as well as migraine and cancer prevention.

Throughout the day, light changes from a warm white color at dawn to natural white then to a cool white in the afternoon, back to natural white, and eventually to an ultra warm white color at sunset. Our bodies are used to this cycle of light. Artificial lights that deviate from the natural lighting cycle can throw off our circadian rhythms. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences states that, “Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment.”

According to healthybuildingscience.com “. . . different types of light trigger different physiological effects. Blue/white light, akin to a bright midday light, suppresses melatonin and increases serotonin, this light is great for activity. Conversely red/orange light triggers melatonin in preparation for going to sleep. If everything is in balance, the body will generate dopamine, serotonin, cortisol and melatonin in the right quantities at the right time of day.”

On their website, the IDA cites important information from a report, this happens “. . . because blue light scatters more within the human eye.”  While it’s not directly causing harm to someone’s health, glare decreases driver safety and can lead to traffic accidents.               

At night, blue light used outdoors can also wreak havoc on ecology. Introducing light with a CCT that’s close to daylight essentially changes the daily cycle that plants and animals are used to. They depend on this cycle of light and dark for hunting, reproduction, sleeping, migrating, and protection. Nocturnal animals have suffered greatly from cool white light at night; the IDA

Because blue light has a larger reach, cool white LED lights used outdoors at night can contribute to light pollution, or brightening of the sky. This decreases the visibility of stars and can have a negative effect on astronomical research. If cool white LED lights are used, they should be shielded or aimed directly downward to prevent light pollution.

Warm white LED street lights and parking lot lights—with a CCT of 3000K or less—are a much better option for public outdoor areas. They emit a much smaller portion of blue light—which is unnoticeable to the eye—and are currently the best options available for street lighting.

Click the photo below to see our line of warm white LED streetlights.

If you cannot answer this question with confidence please ask yourself…  WHO DID I JUST LET INTO MY FAMILIES HOME?  Many people have made this mistake and some paid the ultimate sacrifice.  Some just fell victim to theft, such as the scam where a handyman would offer services to gain access into someone’s home and then steal from them.  You can read more about this crime here.  Unfortunately, there have been more victims experiencing much worse crime.  We do not need to get into the details for the purpose of this blog but we have all heard about them on the news, social media and the stories are very easy to find and numerous.

An electrician on drugs is a recipe for disaster.  Yes an electrician on drugs may not intentionally try to harm you, but how many traffic deaths happen every single hour in the US from people under the influence of drugs or alcohol?  You wouldn’t let a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol drive your children to school, so why would you let them perform electrical work in your home?  Our service electrician’s undergo a drug screen and are also subject to random checks throughout the year.

Our service professionals undergo a thorough background check before being hired.  We won’t just send anyone into your home.  We are going to send a true professional that meets our stringent guidelines.  He is not going to steal from you.  He is not going to harm you.  He is there to help you.  Our electricians truly care about you and the work they are performing for you.

We are here to serve YOU, our customer!  We want a customer for life.  We are not here to steal from you or take advantage of anyone!  We are here to provide a VALUABLE service to you.  We will stand behind our work and make sure you are 100% satisfied.  We guarantee it with the way we act in our organizations culture, and also in writing.  If for some reason you are not 100% satisfied please let us know.  We will not leave until we get it right.  It’s our guarantee to you, our valued customer.

Many contractors say that.  You win some you lose some.  Not with us!  No we do not get every job we bid on, but we realize there may be other factors at play.  What we care about is you truly understand the price presented to you.  You know what options and solutions you have.  You know what will be done, how it will be done, and that we will stand behind our work.  You know the value you are getting when you choose Custom Electrical Services.

It’s common to be nervous when a service person shows up to your home.  Your thinking how much is this going to cost me?  Am I getting the best bang for my buck?  Do I have other options?  At Custom Electrical Services, our technicians are trained for this.  We will work to put you at ease and make sure you fully understand everything presented to you.  We will take the time to fully evaluate your situation and present it to you in a professional manner that you can understand.  Price is not everything.  We will not change the price of the work performed.  The straightforward price you receive will not change if it takes our electrician longer than expected.  You won’t be left thinking, “I hope he can work faster so my bill will be less”.  Lets think about this common statement for just a second.  Would you really want a mechanic hurrying up to put new brakes on your families car?  Of course you wouldn’t!  You would want the mechanic to perform the job as best as possible.  And that is our promise to you.  Give you the best possible job and the most reasonable rate possible.  We are professionals.  We are Custom Electrical Services.

But wait!  A Custom Electrical Services technician is not just there to give you an estimate or fix that minor problem you called about.  We are here to truly help you.  When is the last time someone checked the connections in your electrical panel?  1 year, 10, or never?  Electrical connections can loosen over time.  Electricians are trained to look for this.  As part of our service fee we will inspect your breaker box or electrical panel.  Identify any problems such as loose connections, non code compliant breakers, under sized wire, corrosion, heat, and more!  What if you have an old Federal Pacific Panel and you didn’t even release the dangers they present.  Our technician will identify and let you know of any potential safety problems.

Are all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms functioning properly?  For no additional charge we will test all your smoke alarm units and identify any that are not functioning properly.  We will also replace all your batteries at the same time.  It is all part of the service designed to keep you, your family, and your home safe.  Our commitment to you!