Regardless of whether you’re a burgeoning chef or someone who prefers to keep it simple, you rely on your stove day after day to help you prepare meals for your family or friends. Make sure your home is equipped with the right kind of stove – either gas or electric. If you grew up using only a gas or electric stove, you may be partial to that one. However, it’s important to know the difference between the two so that you can know for sure if you’re missing out on certain qualities you could benefit from.

If you have little ones, you may prefer to use an electric stove, as a gas stove produces visible flames that could harm their tiny hands. On the other hand, if you’re a cooking savant, you may prefer to use a gas stove for its accuracy and versatility. If you’re considering replacing your stove soon, take these factors into consideration.

A stove should last you on average 13 years; therefore, it’s important to invest in one that you will love. After all, you’re going to be stuck with it for quite some time. On average an electric stove will run anywhere from $450 to $2,800, while its gas counterpart will run from $400 to $2,500. The price difference between a gas stove and electric stove is close to negligible. This is why it’s important to take into account the operating costs of each type.

Consider your state’s natural gas cost and compare it to the electricity rate. In most states, natural gas costs less than electricity, which would indicate a lower operating cost.

Before purchasing a new stove, take note of what all you like to cook, as well as how often you cook. An electric stove takes longer to heat up and doesn’t respond as quickly to temperature changes. Further, if you’re a chef, you won’t be able to char, toast, or flambé your food. A gas stove reacts almost instantaneously, allowing for efficiency and accuracy. If you’re the kind of person who prefers take-out then your best option may be an electric stove.

At Bryant Electric Service, we are committed to a safer and healthier environment. We live and work in this community and we’re all in this together. None of us want to breathe dirtier air or risk increased exposure to more pollution in our water and soil. Because energy from fossil fuels means more pollution, conserving energy is very important for all of us.

Fortunately, the city of Austin is committed to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels as a means of producing electricity. Already, much of our energy comes from wind and hydroelectric sources. New breakthroughs in solar energy production are also providing cleaner alternatives. The city of Austin is committed to expanding its wind energy production, and this promises a future free from dependence on coal and other fossil fuels.

Austin Energy provides a generous incentive program for a wide range of energy conservation measures. In addition, special rebates are provided for residents and businesses installing systems which produce clean energy from wind and solar sources. We recommend studying Austin Energy’s website to see how you can take advantage of these opportunities to contribute to a cleaner environment.

Are you still using incandescent light bulbs? Your electrician would recommend a different course. Efficient lighting technology has blown up in the last few years, and advanced technologies are just getting better. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at the forefront of modern lighting thanks to their inexpensive and long-lasting luminescence. Some of these new diodes are leading the pack in must-have lighting features, including smart home integration that you can control with your phone. Read on to learn more about the latest in LED technology.

Upfront Costs are Dropping

One of the biggest complaints about early LEDs was the price. Almost any LED will save you money over time compared to an incandescent bulb, since they use 25 to 80 percent less electricity and can last up to 25 times as long, but many consumers balked at paying the $35 or higher retail price for a single bulb. Newer models, however, can recreate the look of that classic 60 watt incandescent bulb with fewer LED panels, meaning they are cheaper to produce and sell for $10 or less.

Options are Expanding

Other common complaints about the first LED models were that the warmth of the light wasn't quite right and they didn't work with accessories like dimmers. With today's technologies, however, you can find LEDs that give off almost any color and lighting profile, allowing you to mimic the look and feel of your old incandescent bulbs or tailor your room to fit more eclectic tastes. Not every LED is compatible with standard dimmers yet, but many are – just check the label on the box to make sure.

Make it a Smart Bulb

Many new LED models are designed specifically to work with smart technology. That means you can control them from your phone no matter where you are, set up a schedule for them to turn on and off, and even have different colors or light intensities at different times. Newer bulbs are also optimized to work with your other smart home systems to move you closer to a goal of integrated whole-house control.

Turnkey Functionality

One of the biggest advantages of upgrading to LEDs is how easy it is. There's no need to hire an electrician to set up new wiring or fixtures – the bulbs screw right into the pre-existing bases, out of the box. If you want tips on how to make the most of your new lighting options and create the room profile that fits your home, however, don't hesitate to call up your local electrician for guidance and advice.

Kicking back in your very own hot tub after a long day at work is one of life’s little luxuries. It gives you something to look forward to. The soothing, hot water can wash away all of life’s little aches and pains while giving you a little slice of heaven right there in your own backyard. Weekends and get-togethers are made a little more enjoyable when you and a few of your friends can enjoy the hot tub together. If you have been thinking about splurging on yourself, a hot tub is one way to do so while actually adding value to your home. Of course, value is only added if the hot tub is installed correctly by a certified electrician in Los Angeles like those at The Electric Connection.

A hot tub requires a special outlet to be installed in the area where you will be placing the hot tub. Because you are dealing with water and electricity, it is always best to have the job completed by a Los Angeles electrician. There are far too many things that can go wrong and jeopardize your life as well as the safety of your hot tub and home when you attempt to do the job yourself without any real knowledge of electrical wiring.

If you are putting the hot tub in the yard or in detached patio area, the wiring will need to be buried where it runs to the house. This is something that will typically require you to have permits with a certified electrician completing the job. Your hot tub may also require you to get an electric panel upgrade. This is something you will want to discuss with your electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to take care of the installation and answer any questions they may have about the process.

In all likelihood, the electrical panel is something you’re familiar with, especially if you have an older home with older wiring. When something stops working in your home, like the refrigerator, it’s often the first thing you check.

But if you find yourself running to the electrical panel often, it’s probably not a good sign. This is just one of the many indicators that you probably need an upgrade. Here are some others:

If you are remodeling your home, you are likely changing out appliances in the kitchen or adding a few new gadgets. And if your home was designed decades ago, the electrical system was simply not made to handle all of these new systems.

As our electrical needs grow, the electrical service has to change, too. The panel is what is responsible for distributing power throughout your home, and attempting to burden an older panel with a large load of appliances could mean major electrical trouble or even a fire hazard.

Do you find yourself resetting one or more circuit breakers all too frequently? Do your lights flicker as soon as you turn on the AC or hot tub? This type of electrical trouble could signal a big problem. Call an electrician to inspect your wiring and your circuit breaker box, and make an upgrade ASAP if this is seen as the best course of action.

Finally, it may be time for an upgrade simply because you have an older panel. If you still have a fuse box, and you need to replace a fuse every time you have electrical trouble, it’s not worth it. A new circuit breaker can replace your fuse box and will be a lot easier to use, and safer too.

Besides, some older panels, even those controlled with circuit breakers, are dangerous. Federal Pacific Electric panels, for example, were widely installed in the middle of the 20th century, but it turns out that most do not trip properly a large percentage of the time, presenting a fire hazard.