Available in a variety of shapes and sizes and with multiple base types, these long-lasting LED bulbs are perfect for an elegant, vintage look. Chips-on-board (COB) LEDs imitate the look of thin filament wire in antique-style bulbs and emit a rich, warm white or ultra-warm white color. The decorative bulbs are great for many applications, such as chandeliers, wall sconces, ornamental fixtures, and light strands, and they consume only a fraction of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs.

It’s important to remember while enjoying the summer weather, while outside or around the home, that there could be a variety of electrical hazards lingering. While not obvious at first, these issues could cause very serious (and potentially fatal) injury through electric shock. Our team at Expert Electric has created a list of common outdoor and indoor hazards to be aware of this summer.

Stay away from power lines with your body, toys, sticks, or anything an electrical current could travel down. Power lines transport extremely high voltage electrical energy. Venturing too close to a power line can create an opportunity for the electricity to flow to your body or object resulting in serious injury. If you see a fallen power line, call 911 immediately.

Ensure all your outdoor electrical receptacles around the exterior of your home or shed are covered, clean and dry. If water or dirt enters the outlet it can result in electrical surges and shocks when the outlet is next used. Receptacle covers can be purchased at most home renovation retail stores.

Keep all power cords, string lights and electrical devices away from ponds, swimming pools, hot tubs or sprinklers. Summer can lend itself to a lot of splashing and water flying through the air. If water comes into contact with an electrical device there is a high risk of electrical shock. Do your best to keep electrical devices at a distance from the pool and water fights.

Ensure that you have GFCI’s (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets installed in certain areas of your home – namely rooms with running water mainly (bathroom, kitchen, garage, basement, pool rooms, etc.). These outlets can prevent electrical shock from happening with specially designed safety mechanisms.

In an emergency, know where your circuit breakers are and how to turn them off safely. When a panicked situation occurs, it can be easy to become confused and flustered. If you are knowledgeable interacting with your circuit breaker you will be more confident in the event of an emergency.

Before plugging in a fan, make sure that it is clean and there are no wires frayed or damaged. Occulting fans are often stored for most of the year. During storage power cords can become damaged and electrical wires exposed. Exposed wires leave you vulnerable to electrical shock when the fan is plugged in again.

Be sure to have any portable air conditioning units securely positioned and electrical cords tucked away. These are tripping hazards that can lead to either electrical shock or a heavy unit falling down. It’s also important to follow the manufacturers instructions on maintaining and servicing the unit to prevent damage to the home’s electrical system and personal injury.

It is important to be aware of potential electrical hazards in order to identify and avoid them. Our team of trained and licensed electricians are happy to help you ensure your home and family are safe from electrical hazards. If you would like more information on electrical safety tips to be aware of during the summer or general, contact Expert Electric today at 604-681- 8338.

Everything seems fine, then POOF–your power goes out. Chances are, you tripped a circuit breaker. Electrical problems are one of those things that tend to make a homeowner’s stress level skyrocket. You’re not sure what’s wrong, but suddenly you’ve lost access to the power you depend on in your DC area home! 

A breaker can trip for many reasons. Below are the tops 5 causes of an electrical breaker tripping in your home.

Looking for electrical repair in Washington, DC? Contact Kolb today!

A breaker trip comes as a result of a circuit tied to your circuit breaker exceeding its safe parameters. They can be identified by a sudden loss of power to specific appliances (those that used a dedicated circuit, like a fridge or microwave), or a loss of power in your home that is limited to a specific area.

There are a lot of issues that can result in breaker trips, but there are the ones our DC electricians address most often during electrical repairs in Washington, DC:

Looking for superior service and quality from your electrician? Contact Kolb Electric for electrical repair in Washington, DC!

Many homeowners start to get nervous when cooler weather starts to set in. Thinking about the rising heat bills is stressful, especially if you have holiday shopping to do. But don’t panic just yet: there are plenty of simple actions that can result in major savings! If you follow these 6 tips below, you’re likely to see a positive change in your energy bill.

Now that you’re prepped for a cozy but low-cost winter, relax and enjoy the season! If you need help installing any new energy-efficient lighting in your home or business, Bryant Electric Service is here to assist you.