Almost everything nowadays operates on electricity. The modern conveniences that drive our world depend on electricity. Without a constant supply, our world grinds to a halt, as massive blackouts have proven in the past. Electricity has two forms in modern electronics: AC and DC.

AC (alternating current), is most frequently used in devices that require high amounts of power to operate.

DC (direct current), is more commonly found in devices requiring smaller amounts of power to operate.

DC was the original electricity that was created by Thomas Edison. This style of electricity sends a current in only a single direction, from a power source and to the power source again in a loop. Today, DC is used to power electronics that require batteries. Any device in your home that uses batteries uses DC current. Interesting to note, if your battery is plugged into the power supply to recharge, it transforms AC current into DC.

Direct current is also used in manufacturing situations where electricity is generated on site for personal use. Factories and mills that require vast amounts of energy often create their own DC current to power their machinery. Most commonly, DC is found in steel mills, aluminum production, and is used to power mass transportation in large urban centers in the form of electric streetcars.

AC power is easier to generate, which is why we use it as our standard electricity nowadays. The alternating current design allows energy to flow in both directions, making electricity easier to create and use in society. Regardless of where the current is moving, it is always moving in both directions at once. This results in current being present at every point in the power grid at every time as long as the connection to the generation unit is intact. The power that comes from the power plants, down the lines to our homes, is always AC in nature, thanks to the way our modern power grid is set up.

The power grid operates by creating AC current and sending it down the power lines. This current can be at whatever intensity the power company chooses.

Frequently, the electricity coming from these lines is far too powerful to be used in our homes. The transformers that we see on power poles transform the electricity from its high-powered state into something that our homes can use. Without the transformers, we wouldn’t be able to use the power that our society depends on.

Regardless of the style that we use in our devices and our homes, electricity plays an important role in society. Without both AC and DC electricity, we wouldn’t have those things that make modern life as comfortable as it is.

Improving your home energy efficiency is a worthy and admirable goal. You can help reduce your impact on the environment while saving money with savvy decision making. However, the up-front investment for some efficiency upgrades is substantial, so always do your due diligence before you find electrician services and commit to buy. Read on to clear up some misconceptions about home efficiency and make sure your money is being put to good use.

You Don't Have to Sacrifice Your Comfort: It's true that the best way to conserve energy is to use less of it with strategies like turning off the lights or keeping the temperature lower in the winter. But that doesn't mean you have to sit shivering in the dark. The key to efficiency is to get the same amount of utility for less energy input. That means replacing old incandescent bulbs with LED versions, or investing in better HVAC technology like a smart thermostat. That way, you can keep your home environment tuned to your comfort while reducing consumption at the same time.

Don't Rush into a Big Ticket Item: The most dramatic way you can upgrade your efficiency is with a brand new heating or cooling system. Equipment efficiency has improved drastically in recent years, and new technologies like geothermal heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar panels can all reduce your bills dramatically. However, they aren't risk free. You’ll often face a significant up-front investment when you find electrician services for these installations, and the actual savings that you will realize can vary widely based on factors like the price of fuel. You could also see a loss if you make a big purchase and decide to sell your home soon after; there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the cost in the selling price.

That's not to say you should avoid large efficiency investments – just look before your leap. You will get the best return from these items if you already need to replace outdated equipment anyway, and if you plan to stay in your home for many years. To reduce some of the upfront costs, you can also look for federal tax credits that refund up to one third of what you spend, as well as options to lease solar panels so you don't have to put any money down at all.

Don't Forget the Insulation: On the other side of the coin, new HVAC technologies won't do you much good if all that treated air just leaks into the outdoors. One of the biggest ways you can improve your efficiency is by plugging leaks and upgrading your insulation, which is typically a much cheaper fix. With a leak detector, some caulk and spray foam insulation, you can seal up your house with minimal investment, saving you money in the short term as well as preparing the house to get greater efficiency out of newer technologies.

For more straight shooting about how to get the most value for your efficiency investments, find an electrician to conduct an energy audit on your house. Your local Mister Sparky® is always available to help!

Now is the time to consult with the lighting professionals at Capitol to prepare for the holiday season. With free shipping and the guaranteed lowest prices, this holiday season may be more brilliant than ever.

1.  Fulfill all your FANtasies! Indulge in comfort and superb air circulation with super savings on the latest indoor and outdoor ceiling fans.

“Dyno” Energy Smart fan from Minka-Aire with LED light kit

2.  Enjoy the sweet light with Swarovski and Schonbek.

“Jazz” recessed fixtures from Swarovski deliver a magnificent color array;  Be the first to showcase the future trend in illumination.

3.  Go Uptown with a New York designer and Quoizel Lighting.

Designer Sergio Orozco’s “Uptown” collection includes the “Sutton Place” chandelier, a timeless classic contemporary design.

4.  Personalize with handmade treasures and heirloom-worthy illumination from Lladró.

“Naturofantastic” candleholder features traditional golden highlights in signature handcrafted porcelain from Lladró.

“Lithophane” from Lladró offers LED Energy Smart illumination in a fashion-forward porcelain chandelier.

5.  Welcome the wall flowers with Currey and Company.

“Fairytale” wall sconces from Currey and Company offer a whimsical delicacy in Italian Gold Leaf-Pink finish with crystal drops.

6.  Be chic and dashing with pendant lighting from LBL and Tech Lighting.

“Rock Candy” from LBL Lighting features textured glass candle covers in a myriad of fashionable colors, including Blue Steel (pictured above).

“Modele” from Tech Lighting brings world-renowned EGIZIA lighting design from Italy.  Famous silkscreening on hand-blown Italian glass are available in a fantastic array of artistic combinations for an unforgettable illuminating presentation.

7.  Make a great first impression with new outdoor and landscape lighting from Kichler and Hinkley.

“Silver Coral” outdoor wall lights from Kichler Lighting will not go unnoticed.

“Sutcliffe” from Hinkley Lighting presents a perfect blend of old and new in this updated early American colonial lantern.

8.  Sing “Troy” to the World with new ceiling light fixtures.

“Canary Wharf” pendant light from Troy Lighting brings your illumination to new heights in more ways than one!

9.  Go swinging in Garden City with Hudson Valley.

“Garden City” wall swingers from Hudson Valley are fashionable and functional–a must-have in the well-decorated home or office environment.

 10.  Support your hometown heroes with Hubbardton Forge.

“Almost Infinity” table lamp bases from premier brand, Hubbardton Forge, are available in a choice of custom-designed finishes. Exclusively made-in-America from the finest craftsmen at the original iron forge in Vermont.

To view the latest in home lighting and accessories and for more designing ways to illuminate your Thanksgiving feast, visit with the lighting professionals at Capitol Lighting or 1800lighting.com.

Capitol Lighting Gives Thanks to Priceless Patrons with Promotional Savings All Season Long!

Add to your Thanksgiving holiday with the latest lighting designs from Quoizel, Lladró, Swarovski and Currey and Company.  Capitol Lighting invites you to take advantage of promotional pricing on masterful works of art, including grand chandeliers, elegant bath lighting, fans for all seasons, as well as mirrors and home accessories. Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop on-line at 1800lighting.com to custom design your holiday illumination.

From the 1950s to the 1980s, the Federal Pacific Electrical Company (FPE) installed electrical panels in millions of homes across the country. Unfortunately, these electrical panels are basically recipes for disaster—over the years, electricians and home inspectors have found that FPE panels often fail to protect homes from overcurrent or short circuits. The danger seems to happen randomly: even if panels have been installed and working properly for years, a single incident can quickly cause the panel to overheat and create a major fire hazard.

Remember—circuit panels trip in response to unusual surges of electricity. If they fail to trip, as FPE panels often do, those electrical surges cannot be stopped or shut off manually and will move through your home until they run out of fuel or until the wires burn out. This could cause the panel to overheat and catch fire, leading to a potentially serious disaster.

FPE panels may not be up to modern safety codes – electrical safety standards have been updated significantly since the 1980s, and experts say that FPE panels, which were produced from the 50s and into the 80s, do not meet these updated standards. Some of the deficiencies noted by home inspectors include:

FPE panels may have serious design flaws – not only do FPE panels not meet modern safety standards, but they also came with some serious design flaws that weren’t even common among panels built around the same time. Some of the most significant flaws include:

FPE panels may have manufacturing defects – as if that weren’t enough, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has noted a number of defects that make FPE panels unfit for homes, including weak materials used to construct the breakers that may prevent them from tripping and could cause the panel to catch fire.

If you live in an older home and you’re worried your panel might be a danger, call Kolb Electric. Our trained electricians are familiar with the potential hazards of FPE and other outdated panels and can replace your existing panel with a modern panel that will keep your home safe for decades.

For more information about circuit panel replacement in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today.