As energy costs continue to rise, we all have to make some adjustments and figure out how to afford the higher electrical bill or how to reduce our electricity use in order to afford a roof over our heads. Obviously, the latter is probably the best and who knows, you just may be able to reduce your bill lower than you ever thought possible. You could actually put a few extra dollars in your pocket every month to put towards the rising cost of food. An electrician in Pasadena has a few tips you can start using today to save money tomorrow. If you would like to learn more, call The Electric Connection and talk with a member of the helpful staff.

1-The easiest thing for you to do is to turn off and unplug anything and everything when it is not in use. You can save a couple dollars every day by reducing your phantom energy draw.

2-Switch to CFLs and save about $20 a month on lighting costs. If you have a big house and typically use a lot of lights, you can save more by switching your incandescent light bulbs to CFLs.

3-Have somebody familiar with Pasadena electrical code install a ceiling fan to reduce your heating and cooling bill. Fans circulate the air in a room to help keep it cool in the summer and warm in the cooler months.

4-Hire an electrician to install dimmer switches on lights in the living room, dining room and even a bedroom. You don’t always need a well-lit room to watch television, enjoy an intimate meal or simply chat. Using a dimmer switch to turn down the lights can save you money on your electric bill.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to have a dimmer switch, ceiling fan or other energy-saving appliance installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Like upgrades in the cell phone industry, the electrical industry has developed great new ways to serve and protect home owners. One of the best inventions of the past few decades is the GFI outlet.

What is a GFI outlet?

GFI stands for fault circuit interrupter. In layman’s terms it is the little button that sits between the two outlets in a double wall outlet. Some of these have a red test button and white set button and others have two white buttons.

What this means for those who have these new breakers is that instead of blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker during an overload, the button will pop out and there will be no electricity in that outlet. It also will react if an electrical device comes in contact with water eliminating the possibility of shock.

You will find these safety devices around areas that may be subjected to damp areas like bathrooms, kitchens, hot tubs, swimming pools and outside plugs.GFIs are installed on electrical outlets to regulate power and direct currents. In most areas they are required by code to be placed in strategic areas.

What could be wrong?

There could be several different issues. However, we need to inspect a unit. It is not an answer we can readily answer over the phone. It could be the actual receptacle and it could be wiring leading to the receptacle. It is not a DIY job. This is a job for someone who knows how to cut the current so there are no live wires and investigate wall deep.

Underwriter’s Laboratories, LLC says, “By installing GFCIs in every home in the United States, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions occurring each year could be prevented.”

A working unit could save your life or the life of one of your family members. You want a license, bonded professional to handle this repair.

Things to tell your electrician

There are things you can check prior to the arrival of your service professional which may give him a head start on repairs. Are all other outlets in the area active or not? Have you checked your circuit breaker to see if it has not shut down the zone?

There is another thing to keep in mind. If you have an older home or condo you can have new GFI’s installed where you need them – in the bathroom, kitchen or wherever. It is an investment in the value of your home and your peace of mind.