Today, Americans use more electricity than ever before. The average American consumed roughly 2,200 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year in 1950. This has skyrocketed to approximately 14,000 kilowatt-hours for the average American today. The consistent increase of consumer electronic use and energy consumption means that electrical systems could easily become overloaded and, as a result, malfunction. While the appliances of today are significantly more efficient than the appliances of the past, homes and businesses may be operating with insufficient electrical support for their modern appliances, which could be a signal that it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade.

Since 1925, Kolb Electric has provided excellent services on electrical panel installations in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be a warning sign that it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade. Please contact Kolb Electric so that one of our qualified electricians in MD, DC or VA can take a look at your electrical panel. If you are unsure about the status or functionality of your panel, it is best that you do not take any chances.

In 2007, approximately 170 people in the United States died in the workplace as a result of fire or explosions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts agree that an outdated or inadequate electrical panel is a fire waiting to happen. The dangers associated with an outdated electrical system can be drastically reduced simply through an electrical panel upgrade.

Electrical panels are the heart of any electric system. You can help protect your family or your employees by upgrading your electrical panel. Kolb Electric is one of the top installers of electrical panels. Our expert electricians in MD, DC or VA can complete an electrical panel upgrade and enhance the safety of your home or business.

As a homeowner, you might not be aware of all the features your home has, especially when it comes to your electrical system. It’s like another occupation trying to keep up with your home’s appliances and making sure everything works properly. One of the things, however, that is so important to take care of is your electrical system and the features that are involved or connected to it. Not only does it help to understand your electrical system and what it can do for you, but it will also help you become more efficient especially when you’re trying to save money on your utility bill. Keeping your family safe is also a necessity, so keep these electrical features in mind and know how to keep your home safe with your electrical system.

Once you understand your electrical system and know how it works, you’ll notice a host of beneficiaries. You’ll be increasing the safety of your home, especially when a small problem arises and you’ll know what to do in that place and time. Meanwhile, you will also know how to avoid any potential problems and end any lasting effects that can be damaging to your home. And on top of all these benefits, you will also decrease your monthly utility bills. What’s better than that? Knowing your electrical system allows you to understand what works efficiently and what doesn’t, which avoids the cost of wasted money in the long run. Lastly, you can make smarter energy consumption choices. You’ll be able to identify which habits work for you and your family and which ones are affecting your lifestyle and costing you more out of pocket expenses.

We usually expect to find wiring troubles in old homes where the wires are made from out-of-date material that is no longer up to code. But electrical repair needs can crop up in the most modern homes: all it takes is a bit of shoddy installation or damage to a few connections and you can end up with wiring that malfunctions, leading to power loss or—in the worst case scenario—an electrical fire.

Do not attempt any repairs to your wiring yourself unless you are a trained electrician with access to pro-level tools. High-voltage shocks are something to take seriously. Pick up your phone instead and put in a call to your local electrician and arrange for repairs.

Home maintenance can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. Roofs that need re-shingling, carpets that have seen better days, that occasional leak you still have yet to place… there’s usually always something that needs fixing. Problems that are visible are usually easy to track and stop before the problem gets worse, but what if there’s an issue inside your walls?Outdated wiring is an issue all homeowners will eventually face. Homes that are at least 30 years old are likely to have outdated wiring not designed to operate with the modern homeowner’s lifestyle. Older homes with 60 amps can’t handle powering multiple appliances at once, not when the typical homeowner needs a house with at least 100 amps. It’s important to note that old wiring isn’t just an issue of inconvenience, but safety.

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!