Did you know the lighting in your office could be making you feel sick?

Feeling unmotivated and lethargic, suffering from headaches or eyestrain? There are some simple steps you can take to energize the work environment to combat stress and elevate mood by choosing the best lamp for your desk or task lighting needs. 

Healthful illumination is key to an environment partnered with increased productivity and job satisfaction.  The trend today is to improve upon what you already have rather than investing in new construction.  Upgrading your office with affordable and energy-efficient lighting is an investment that leads to outstanding visual improvements and a more healthful work environment.

Employ the Right Lamps for Greater Health Benefits:

Top Picks for Office Lighting:

-Quoizel’s “Zen” collection includes floor and table lamps with Mystic Black finishes and Rattan shades for corporate casual decor.

With little ones crawling around the floors, it is hard to always keep an eye on what they are doing all the time. Electrical outlets are at the perfect height for them and seem to be the most interesting thing to investigate. This convenience leads to hundreds of children suffering severe shock (electrocution) each year. This is why tamper resistant outlets are so important. If your home is missing tamper resistant outlets, it may be time to upgrade.

A tamper resistant outlet looks just like a normal outlet, to the untrained eye but have important mechanisms behind the plastic to ensure that nothing foreign can find their way into electricity. Behind the two top prong holes is a small plastic panel. This panel slides across to cover the prong holes. If a child approaches the receptacle with a key or other narrow object with the intention to insert it into the outlet, the plastic panel will prevent them. No matter how much force they apply, it will block the foreign object from entering the outlet and allowing electrical current to escape.

If this plastic panel is preventing objects from entering the prong holes, how do you plug in your normal devices then? The trick to this is that pressure must be applied equally through both prong holes in order to slide the panel to the open position. If there is uneven pressure, the panel does not move. This is how it can prevent paperclips from entering, but operates seamlessly when plugging in a lamp.

Tamper resistant outlets can prevent serious injuries to children. If you have a young one making their way around your home and you aren’t sure if you have tamper resistant receptacles, now is the best time to check. Contact your local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338. We can help to identify what kinds of outlets are used in your home, and upgrade them if needed.

You should never “lend” your contractors license to anyone, for any reason, ever. There are many good reasons for a contractor to have this “never lend” policy.

However, sometimes it can be advantageous for a contractor to pull a permit for someone else’s work. Like a homeowner installed his own main electrical panel and then he finds out that his city does not allow homeowners to obtain a “Homeowner’s Permit” for that job.

Without going into a lot of explanation, here is a form I made up a few years ago that has minimized my risk and maximized my profit in these situations. WARNING! Is this legal in your state? I’m not the guy who knows or is going to find out; that’s up to you. But, anyway, here’s the form:

I _____________________ am requesting that The Electric Connection

Print Name

obtain an electrical permit for electrical work located at

__________________________________________________________

Address City State Zip

I am aware that The Electric Connection did not perform this electrical work and is not responsible for any corrections or repairs required as a result of either the electrical work or the inspection of this work.

I am aware and agree that The Electric Connection is obtaining a permit for work that was done by others and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for the quality and/or safety of this work now or at any future time, and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for any present or future liabilities arising out any of the work covered under this permit.

For the sum of __________ plus the exact cost of the electrical permit, The Electric Connection will obtain an electrical permit for this electrical work. If the electrical work does not pass inspection, I may or may not choose to hire The Electric Connection to make any corrections necessary to bring the electrical work up to city/national electrical code standards as required by the electrical inspector.

If I choose to hire The Electric Connection to do this electrical work, I am aware that there will an additional charge for this work, and that this additional cost will be mutually agreed by myself and The Electric Connection before any work is started.

________________             ___________________ Signature                                    Date

———————————————————————————————-

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Create a summer resort in the privacy of your own backyard or “add-on” living space by turning the deck or patio into an outdoor room. A few creative outdoor lighting ideas can transform an outdoor area into a relaxing retreat that restores serenity, encourages quality-time with the family and brings friends together. It’s all about setting the mood with lighting.

Outdoor rooms are an extension of the home. But it requires special planning to create a space that is inviting, relaxing and meets the needs of individual family members.

Here are a few outdoor lighting ideas to create the perfect setting.

Safety First

It’s essential to make outdoor spaces accessible and safe. Post mounted outdoor lamps brighten doorways, steps and walkways to help visitors navigate unfamiliar territory at night. Older people and those with reduced vision will especially appreciate having their paths well-illuminated. Use motion-activated flood lights, timers and photo-cells to make sure lights are on when they’re needed the most. Outdoor lamps not only add warmth and radiance to a home, they help to mitigate the risk of injury due to falls and improve personal security at night.

Outdoor Rooms

Outdoor rooms like indoor spaces are an extension of the homeowner’s individual taste and design capability. Today’s outdoor lighting is durable, affordable and available in a wide range of finishes and styles, giving homeowners tremendous freedom to conceptualize outdoor rooms in ways never before possible. A great selection of hanging outdoor lights, post mounted lights and task lighting provides an abundance of options.

– Small patios and balconies may serve several functions. Create a private oasis for reading the morning paper with hanging outdoor lights, such as outdoor mini pendant lights. For romantic evening hours, turn on wall mounted lanterns to spread a warm glow with subtle ambient illumination.

– Backyard decks or porches are often the entertainment hub where friends and family gather. Outdoor furniture, outdoor accessories and outdoor lights should work in unison for an atmosphere conducive to task-oriented activities such as food preparation and dining, as well as leisure-oriented activities such as socializing and lounging.

– Wall-mounted deck sconces, under bench deck lights and deck step lights are the perfect lighting for evening entertaining, as well as midnight stargazing. Their low wattage and stylish design provide the glow and charm that make the deck a favorite place to relax and enjoy warm summer breezes.

– Other outdoor rooms. Outdoor rooms aren’t always gazebos, decks or patios; they can be as simple as a bench in a garden, a trellis or arbor gate, or a grouping of plants around a fountain or birdbath. Low voltage landscape lighting tucked into the foliage adds drama and enchantment to outdoor rooms or secret gardens. Decorative path lights accent special landscape features and spread soft illumination along walkways, and they are available in styles from whimsical to classic traditional.

Dark Sky and Light Pollution

One additional consideration when working in your outdoor lighting ideas is the impact the lighting will have on your neighbors and the degree of “light pollution” created. The amount of light that is considered “excessive” may be a personal point of view, but take care to preserve the natural environment for nocturnal creatures and stargazers alike and select outdoor lamps designed to minimize glare and light pollution.

Anytime you find yourself wanting an electrical safety inspection, it’s important to know what kinds of questions you need to ask. A lot of the time people are stuck with hidden fees or things that they are unaware of due to the lack of curiosity. Even if it seems so simple, it’s always best to ask the right questions to an electrician especially when it comes down to your home’s safety and your family’s well-being. When you see the lights start to flicker or your outdated electrical system giving you trouble, it’s time to call for a repair or maintenance check. Having an electrical safety inspection by a professional contractor will help flag any warning signs that might arise in the future. So here are some questions that can prepare you so you know what to ask when it’s time to conduct an electrical safety inspection.

Usually, when we want to hire somebody we always like to know that who we’re hiring has had an education within that field. However, when it comes to hiring an electrician to conduct an electrical safety inspection, experience and how much of it is especially important. Experienced professionals not only have seen a lot and can provide effective solutions, but they also recognize the importance of high-quality performance and customer service. By asking about their experience, you’ll be able to determine how qualified that contractor is to handle your electrical safety inspection.

When it comes time for an electrical safety inspection, you want to make sure hire an electrician that has a valid electrical contractor’s license. This will make you feel more comfortable knowing that the person you’re hiring is educated and trained to perform a high-quality electrical safety inspection since they are being held to a high standard as a licensed professional.

During an electrical safety inspection, things may come up where the electrician might either want to fix or restore a certain business. So, asking about an estimate and whether additional work is covered is always a great question to ask.