The search for commercial lighting systems can be confusing, misleading, and overwhelming at times. With all of the different terms, labels, and technologies being used how can anyone expect you to make any decisions with all of that going on?

Well, this post is going to at least relieve your confusion about DesignLights Consortium vs EnergyStar approved and qualified lighting products. There is a difference, and you need to be well aware of what it is when you are looking into a new lighting system for commercial Click here to read it, then come back to finish the rest (opens in a new window)!

The major difference between DLC and EnergyStar is that DLC is only for commercial lighting products while EnergyStar is more focused on residential purposes and applications, with a minor hint of commercial lighting in there as well. This makes DLC the more “go to” organization when it comes to commercial lighting qualifications as they are seen as the experts on commercial lighting products and technologies.

Anyways, when it comes to becoming EnergyStar qualified for a lighting product, a product needs to pass these (along with others) guidelines to be able to be EnergyStar qualified:

Conclusion

After this quick, simple, and brief overview of the differences between EnergyStar and DLC; we hope you’ve found some light on the topic (get it, light).

In a general sense, most of your commercial lighting purchases will include DLC qualified products, especially when buying for warehouses, factories, parking lots, street lights, and the like all except for those listed.

Are you confused on any point? Have any comments or questions? Comment them below and we will surely find an answer or response!

When you think about your personal pool or hot tub, what comes to mind? Probably parties, relaxing evenings, or family fun, right? Electrical shock, property loss, and other dangers are probably the furthest from your mind, and that’s how it should be! That is, if you’re sure the wiring for your pool and or hot tub are in perfect working order.

Antique architecture might be beautiful, but the electrical wiring in old houses doesn’t carry the same kind of charm. If you have an older home with an electrical system that hasn’t seen updates in a long time, you could be living in dangerous conditions without realizing it.

There are warning signs that may indicate your wiring is too old, but if you’re ever in doubt, there’s a fool-proof way to get an assessment of your system: Call in a professional! An expert will perform an in-depth inspection of your home’s wiring so you can be aware of the situation and the solutions for it.

With outdated wiring, you may notice strange signs from time to time. Some of them might occur with more regularity than others, but any instances at all can be cause for concern. In general, you’re at risk for having old wiring if your house is 40 years old or more. A few warning signs include:

Although old wiring can raise insurance premiums and keep you from using as many appliances as you’d like, the most important issue is safety. Over the course of time, the insulation surrounding the wires will break down until it eventually leaves the wiring exposed. The insulation protecting older wires doesn’t last as long as it does in newer installations. This means outdated electrical systems are much more likely to feature exposed wiring than those installed more recently.

With inner wiring exposed, the likelihood of short circuits and power failures goes up. Worse, deteriorated insulation translates to a much higher risk of suffering from electrical shocks or having fires break out in your home.

If you have any doubts about the wiring in your house, don’t take unnecessary risks. Ignoring the warning signs of an outdated electrical system can put you and your loved ones in danger. Beyond that, whatever money you might hope to save by not calling a professional would only go into repairs later on.

Planning on an exciting and colorful lighting display this holiday season? Whether you have grandiose plans of intricate illumination design, or you just want to wire up your tree, hanging lights can present a few hazards to the unprepared. Electrical safety may take a backseat for some, but to the experts at Kolb Electric, nothing could be more important! Protect yourself and your home with these light hanging tips.

As you may expect, much of electrical safety has to do with the product being used. Keep these tips in mind when selecting your lighting choices this year:

If you plan on hanging wiring above eye-level, odds are you’ll be using a ladder. Remember these tips when hanging your lights:

Have any questions or concerns regarding your holiday lighting this year? Contact us today at Kolb Electric! We provide industry-leading solutions for all of your electrical needs, and bring only the very best in service and skill to our consumers!

Selecting the best electrical service professionals isn’t always an easy task. There are many available, and it can be challenging to narrow your search down to the best candidates. You might feel pressure to make a decision quickly, but doing your homework is highly recommended. Hiring the wrong electrical expert can lead to lots of frustration, as well as wasted time and money. Be sure to ask the important questions before deciding on a hire.

Even if they come with a big discount, you never want to work with electrical professionals who aren’t licensed and insured. Taking this measure will ensure your hire has proper training for the job and you won’t find yourself stuck with substandard results. Insurance is necessary as well since accidents are not always avoidable. Unforeseen damages can easily occur on the job site, and if your electrical experts aren’t insured, you could be stuck with the stress — not to mention extra costs.

It might not be enough to have a licensed and insured professional. They still might not have experience with your particular situation. Find out if they’ve dealt with jobs like yours before, and if they can offer insight that might help you finish things ahead of schedule and under budget. If they specialize in a particular area, be sure it’s related to the job you need! If it’s a big project, make sure they’ve worked on large scale contracts before adding them to your team. You don’t want your electrical professionals to get in over their heads while on the job.

It’s a bonus if the work performed is under warranty, as there is no telling what might happen down the line. If issues arise after work is complete, having electrical service professionals you can call on to address the problem is of critical importance. Beyond giving you valuable peace of mind, this can help ensure the work meets standards of safety and quality. When you consider how dangerous electrical work can be, this becomes even more important.

Electrical service professionals should be reliable enough to let you focus on other aspects of the job while they work. Seek a company that has extensive experience serving customers in your area and a proven track record for success. You can tell a lot about a company by reading online reviews and testimonials from other customers. In addition to that, any reputable electrical contractor should be open to answering any questions you may have.