We are constantly looking for new ways to update our home and make it just a little better. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, getting new furniture or installing new carpet are some of the cosmetic changes you can make to your home. These are all great ways to give your home a new look, while adding value, but they can be a bit costly. Wouldn’t it be nice to have another option to update your mom? A Los Angeles electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you transform your home by simply changing out a light fixture or two.

Lighting makes a huge difference in the overall look and feel of a room. Bright lighting encourages activity and conversation. A bright, well-lit kitchen is often desirable, especially when preparing meals. It is a lot easier to chop vegetables and determine just how much seasoning is going on your food when you can see. Track lighting gives you the ability to light up an entire kitchen with the flip of a single switch.

Dining rooms are often the time for mellow, quiet conversation while enjoy a delicious meal. A chandelier with a dimmer switch is the perfect way to control the atmosphere of the meal. Brighten it up for lots of chatter and dim the lights for a quiet, romantic meal. No matter what fixtures you choose, you will need an electrician. Los Angeles residents will want to ensure their new lighting is installed safely and correctly. When you hire an experienced electrician to do the job, you can rest assured the wiring is being completed up to county code. Take some time to browse the lighting aisles in your favorite stores. When you have chosen the perfect fixtures to update your home, give The Electric Connection a call.

While incandescent light bulbs are popular, they’re quite dangerous. Incandescent bulbs have high-temperature gasses inside, and these gasses can react dangerously with external air. If your incandescent bulbs are in a cold room, they might create a combustion nightmare. Keep them away from drapes, beds and other upholstery items.

Wall outlets installed near sinks, faucets and bathtubs can propose dangers. Make sure your outlets are installed away from any water sources, as they can create electrical hazards. If need be, your technician can reinstall them in a different location. Pay close attention to any outlets in your home’s bathrooms and kitchen.

Chewed, frayed or plain old electrical wiring can create a fire hazard. While most worn out wiring will be exposed, some lengths may be hidden within your walls. Keep your pets away from exposed cords, and reduce the chance of fire before it’s too late. Additionally, contact a professional for an annual wiring checkup.

Commonly, homeowners max out their power strips. If you have a lot of electronics and appliances, you might be overloading your power strip’s electrical availability. If this happens, it’ll spark—creating a fire hazard. Even if you need to plug in your appliances, you can remove any flammable materials away from your power strip, reducing any dangers while maintaining household functionality.

More than 47,000 house fires in the U.S. are caused by faulty electrical work and wiring each year. Modern living has placed many more demands on the average home’s electrical system than were ever imagined just a few short decades ago. Computer systems, gaming systems, large appliances, and smart systems all draw a lot of electricity and can easily overload a circuit that wasn’t designed for that kind of demand. However, increased electrical demand is just one of several reasons to update your home’s electrical system.

1. Your home is more than 30 years old. Your home doesn’t have to be a century home to have outdated wiring. If it was built before 1985, it’s a good idea to have your old electrical wiring evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor.

2. You frequently trip the breaker or blow the fuse. If you frequently have to reset the circuit breakers in your main electrical control box or replace the fuses, it’s likely a sign that at least one of your electrical circuits cannot handle the demand for power.

3. You need extension cords. If you need extension cords to plug in a desk lamp or (worse) your electronics, you probably don’t have enough wall outlets in your rooms. Older homes often only have one or two outlets per room, less than is needed by most households.

4. Your lights dim or flicker when an appliance turns on. If the lights in your room dim when the furnace kicks in or the refrigerator cycles, this can also be a sign that your old electrical wiring may not be able to safely power your home.

5. Your outlets are discolored. Discolored outlets can also be an indication of unsafe surges in power.

Leaving old electrical wiring in place can be dangerous for you and your family. If you have encountered any of the above situations, it’s a good idea to have an experienced electrical contractor evaluate your home’s wiring.

Kolb Electric has been helping Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC homeowners with all their electrical needs for 90+ years. We have a full staff of licensed electricians with experience on major projects like home rewiring.

Call us at 877 287-1179 to schedule an appointment today.