Every year, the average American household uses 5% of its electricity consumption on lights. Whether a kitchen light, bathroom light, bedroom light, or a small bulb in the attic, we rely on these lights for safety, security, and convenience. But did you know you can potentially save a good chunk of this electricity, and simultaneously save money?

Halogen incandescent bulbs are a technology that has been around for quite some time, but has grown in popularity in recent years. These bulbs operate by running electricity through a resistor filament, but do so in a chamber filled with gas to improve its efficiency. These require less electricity than a traditional lightbulb, but are not the most efficient option available today, and as such, are fading in popularity.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are almost identical to the long, tube-like fluorescent lightbulbs, just bent and curled into a small form factor designed for an average light socket. The Department of Energy estimates that these bulbs pay for themselves in a matter of just nine months’ time, while ENERGY-STAR certified bulbs use about a quarter of the energy of a traditional bulb that puts out the same amount of light, all while lasting about ten times longer.

What was once reserved exclusively for traffic lights and indicators has now evolved into one of the most rapidly-growing products on the market. Light Emitting Diodes, more commonly called LEDs, are a type of solid-state lighting that use semiconductors to turn electricity into light. They’re incredibly efficient, using about 20-25% of the electricity of an incandescent bulb, and can last up to 25 times longer as well! These come in a massive range of shapes, colors, and brightnesses, allowing them to be used in virtually any capacity.

Not only will the electrician be up on all codes, he will be bonded and insured. You have complete peace of mind that he is doing the job right – the first time.

So what do you need to know?

Well, let’s talk about your needs. Are you replacing an outdated outlet with a new GFI? Are you adding a new outlet so you can plug in your computer and printer without disturbing the other appliances, lamps, clocks, etc. that are already using wall outlets? Are you installing a new outlet on your back porch where you can plug in a new ceiling fan? You can’t wait to get that new hot tub filled and ready for fun. Fill it up and plug it in. Right? Wrong.

First you need to know whether what you are using is for a standard 120 volt home outlet. Some appliances, like hot tubs, call for a larger capacity. Replacing an outlet can certainly be simpler than creating a new outlet. How much do you know about your electrical panel? Is there a free circuit? How do you determine if your panel will hold the new outlet? Do you know enough to keep you and members of your family from being shocked or electrocuted? It seems exaggerated, but unintentional shocks have happened.

How much do you know about wiring?

You may think you are cutting corners by purchasing the actual wires on your own. Are you sure you know what size to buy? Electrical wire is sized on the AWG system (the American Wire Gauge).  You need to know what the capacity for the wire will be and what the wire feed will be to make a sound decision.

If you go into a hardware store or home improvement store you will be amazed at the number of different wires that are sold. The each have a place and purpose in your home. Your neighbor said that he used aluminum wiring when he had his electrical outlets installed. Did you know that copper wires have been determined to be the best in today’s environment? Just look at the number of people stealing copper and you will realize that copper is now in demand.

Things a pro will know

You electrician will know exactly how much current the gauge of wire will safely carry. When a novice looks at the wiring it is obvious that the larger the gauge, the more electricity it can handle. Plus, the pro will know if your intended ampacity matches the circuit size on your electrical panel.

When you want to replace or upgrade electrical outlets, the smart thing to do is let a licensed professional do it. It will be done safely, efficiently and correctly.

Custom Electrical Services has electricians in Waukee.  We serve Waukee Iowa 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Have an unexpected electrical emergency?  You can call us anytime at 515-669-3418 24 hours a day to speak with a live representative.  Or submit an online work request here.

We provide hundreds of electrical services in Waukee.  Custom Electrical Services wires over 250 new construction homes every year and performs thousands of service calls.  We have the man power and experience to perform virtually any electrical project you may have.  From the simplest of projects to the most lavish.  We can help!

We offer upfront pricing on your electrical project.  Our Waukee electricians and estimators are trained to give you the most accurate bid possible.  We can give you a fair and honest flat rate cost so that you know what the job will cost before the work begins.

Custom Electrical Services has an A+ rating with the BBB so you can trust your project is in the best hands possible.  Please check out our rating here.  Our 24 hour Waukee electrician can also accept credit cards for those unexpected and non budgeted repairs!

Most Maryland, Virginia, and DC homeowners pay little attention to their main electrical circuit panel until something goes wrong, such as a tripped circuit breaker. However, when the areas around your outlets have darkened and/or heat is coming off of your main circuit box, these can be indications that something is wrong with your wiring system even if the circuit breaker doesn’t trip.

Since there are more than 370,000 house fires in the U.S. each year, causing around 15,000 deaths and injuries, paying attention to your electrical panel is more than just a good idea; it’s essential. Catching issues like a hot circuit breaker early can not only help to keep you and your family safe, but can keep the cost of fixing the problem in check and prevent property damage.

There are a number of things that can cause your circuit breaker to give off heat. Some of the more common include:

Electrical work is too dangerous to work on yourself. It’s important to hire a licensed electrician to make sure your wiring is handled properly and safely.

Kolb Electric has the experienced, licensed electricians you need to keep your home and your family safe. If you have questions or concerns about a hot circuit breaker or other wiring issue in your home, call us for an evaluation. Our staff has experience in a variety of home wiring projects, from re-wiring an entire home to fixing loose electrical connections. We’ve been helping Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area homeowners with their electrical needs since 1925. Call us at 877 287-1179 to schedule an appointment today.

Installing a backup generator can be a great benefit to many situations, but there are still people who think generators are more hassle than they are worth. The truth is there are a lot of myths and untruths out there about how backup generators work and run. Let’s take a few moments to debunk the three most common myths:

Truth: Installing a backup generator is a good idea if you want to ensure you have power during storm season and the cold winter months—times when the power has been known to go out due to high winds, lightening, or icy power lines. These generators can provide power for any family that needs to keep the electricity flowing; whether it’s to keep the food in the freezer from thawing, to keep the family comfortable during extreme temps, or just for convenience.

Truth: While you may remember the loud, noisy, and sometimes even smelly generators from years ago, the modern versions are not nearly as disruptive. If you use a diesel generator, you may still get some of that odor, but when it comes to noise it’s really not that loud. It’s more of a soft whirring sound than it is a loud motor sound. Your neighbors will likely not even know it’s running…that’s how quiet generators are these days.

Truth: If your only frame of reference for a backup generator was from 30 years ago, you may think the power you get will be unreliable. This can still be true for certain generator models, but you can turn to professional electricians to help you find the right generator to meet your needs. If you need the generator to be consistently reliable, you are sure to find a model that will fit the bill. You can also purchase surge protectors to help with this issue and protect more sensitive electronics like computers and important medical equipment.

Don’t let these common myths keep you from experiencing the peace of mind and protection a backup generator can bring to your home. Even when the power goes out, you can continue to use essential electronics in your home and keep your family comfortable when you have the right generator installed.