One of the most exciting innovations in lighting in recent years has been the light emitting diode (LED) bulb, which promises to usher in a new era of energy efficiency. These bulbs use considerably less power than a traditional incandescent light and even a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb while providing the same amount of illumination. They can also last many years longer.

But one of the most important features of LED lights is that they can be connected to a network, and with the power of the internet, your lighting can become "smart," anticipating when the house is occupied and when it is vacant, as well as adjusting brightness to better accommodate your lifestyle.

The following facts may surprise you!

Many Famous Individuals Were Electricians First

That’s right. The electrical field has attracted many brilliant individuals who later went on to make their mark on the world stage. Before Sun Records discovered Elvis, he had trained as an electrician. Just before joining The Beatles, George Harrison was an electrician’s apprentice. Think Mr. Bean, the British comedian, is all fun and games? In his other life, this actor, whose given name is Rowan Atkinson, holds a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s College, Oxford. Even Alfred Hitchcock, Master of Suspense, studied electrical engineering beginning at age fifteen.

Basic physical fitness is not a prerequisite for every job. However, electricians do need to maintain some level of physical ability in order to climb ladders, lift and carry heavy equipment, move through small crawl spaces, break through walls and dig holes. Sound like superhuman tasks? Indeed. To keep up with this type of activity, day-in and day-out, electricians must be both strong and flexible. In addition, their work demands tolerance of all weather conditions. Whether freezing, hot and humid, strong winds, or a rainy downpour that they’re facing that day, electricians have to be ready, and healthy enough to work, whatever occurs.

A master electrician studies, both in a classroom and on the job, for a minimum of eight years. He or she is the very best at the craft of bringing power to homes, places of business, and industrial locations, and has mentored with other masters, worked in the field, and taken numerous classes to get to achieve a level of expertise. Medical doctors, through attending college, medical school, and a residency, also train for at least eight years. So your electrician, in the field of electrical engineering, is as trained an expert as the individual to whom you entrust your health and well-being.

Master electricians are highly-skilled individuals who keep your home, business, and even public spaces safe and operational. Whether your project requires commercial, residential, or industrial-level service, our team is fully equipped to install, repair, or maintain. Call us!

If you are looking for a spring project that will get you outside, look no further. A fun, rewarding project you can take on with just a little effort and creativity is an outdoor sitting space. The area will be a private retreat in your own backyard. Imagine a stone bench surrounded by lush greens, pretty flowers and a few hand-picked lawn ornaments. Your retreat will be the perfect place to rest after a long day or first thing in the morning. Because there is a good chance you will be enjoying your space in the twilight hours, you will want to make it safe. An electrician in Beverly Hills, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you add light to your place of serenity.

A common feature that will add beauty to your little haven is a fountain. The sound of water falling is very relaxing and will make the space even more appealing. Fountains require electricity to operate the pumps that keep the water flowing. You will need to have an outlet available to plug the fountain pump into. Any Beverly Hills electrical work should always be completed by a certified electrician who is familiar with current codes.

Along with an outside outlet, you will want to have proper lighting installed so the space is safe as well as beautiful. Your corner of the yard will likely be shaded so it is cool enough for you to enjoy. Solar lights will not do well in a heavily shaded area. Electric lights are a better option and more reliable. Your electrician will go about installing the lights and the wiring needed to operate them. If you would like to schedule an appointment to add the finishing electrical touches to your corner of serenity, give The Electric Connection a call today.

At first glance, you might not notice much of a difference between your current electrical meter and your new Smart Meter. But inside, your Smart Meter is hard at work using advanced technology to identify and analyze data about your home’s energy consumption. These meters then communicate this data between your home and BGE via a secured network.

BGE began installing these advanced meters back in 2012, and they’re slated to finish rolling them out to every home and small business in their service area by 2015. Smart Meters can do some pretty amazing things, including:

You may already be used to your home’s existing electrical meter, which keeps an ongoing record of your home’s energy use and must be read by the power company each month so you can be billed appropriately. A Smart Meter, on the other hand, allows for two-way communication between the meter and BGE via a wireless network—a crucial point for building a reliable smart grid.

When you first get your new Smart Meter, you may notice that it seems to function just like your old one, without any of the supposed benefits of installation. This will be true at first, but over time, you’ll be able to experience everything the Smart Meter has to offer.

Best of all, Smart Meters have been thoroughly tested for safety and reliability. These meters are already in use across the country, and they have undergone extensive testing by other utility companies. Smart Meters operate at a level that is much lower (1.4%) than the maximum permissible exposure limits for radio frequency, as defined by the Federal Communications Commission. Smart Meters transmit for an average of about two minutes a day.

BGE will be installing Smart Meters throughout 2014. During that time, every BGE electric customer will receive one for their home. The utility provider will upgrade existing gas meters during this time period as well.

Several weeks before BGE begins installing Smart Meters in your community, you will begin seeing notifications in various forms, including ads in your local paper, materials at your neighborhood library or grocery store and booths at community festivals. A few weeks prior to installation, you will receive a letter in the mail informing you of when your new meter will be installed, or, if your meter is inside your home, providing you with instructions on how to schedule an appointment. For outdoor meters, you do not need to be present for installation. We’ll leave behind a door hanger to confirm that a new meter was installed.

Once your meter is installed, you’ll be granted access to BGE Smart Energy Manager, which will provide you with the tools necessary to better understand how you use your energy, and how to better save energy and reduce your bills.