With winter here, you will probably be decking your halls. That requires electricity in places you don’t normally need it. You will also want to add more light strands than you have outlets for. What do you do? You pull out the extension cords and get busy. However, extension cords are not always safe. There are rules you should follow when it comes to using extension cords to power your decorations or that space heater by the couch. Your electrician in Beverly Hills has some helpful safety tips for you. You can call the crew at The Electric Connection to learn more.

The most important rule is to only use extension cords designed for the outdoors outside. These cords are insulated and can withstand the rain and cold. Indoor extension cords do not have the same insulation and can short out if it rains explains your Beverly Hills electrician. You can identify the cords by looking at the information printed on the cord or simply by checking to see if it is round or flat. Round cords are generally outdoor and flat are indoors.

Extension cords should not be run along high traffic areas. You don’t want them being walked on, which could damage the cord and result in a short. Do not overload the extension cords either. If you are running something big, like an inflatable, it should be the only thing plugged into the cord. Always keep in mind, extension cords are not a permanent solution. If you need more outlets, call an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to listen to their needs and find a solution.

Happy Halloween to all of our customers!

Programmable thermostats have become hugely popular this Fall and Winter and the reason is that they provide some very substantial energy saving benefits, improved comfort, convenience and cost – $$$ effective savings. These thermostats save energy and money on utility bills by allowing residents to set home temperatures according to various different factors.

Programmable thermostats supply personal comfort through pre-set temperature levels and are generally more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats.

Here is the best part: If you’re looking to cut back expenses, you will usually see the return on your programmable thermostat investment within one year. When used properly, this device can save residents about $150 annually. Programmable thermostats are also a plus for the environmentally conscious because they contain no mercury and are eco-friendly. Using less energy helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.

If you are a homeowner who work s outside the home during the day and have a different schedule on the weekend, a programmable thermostat can offer many benefits.

Programmable thermostats can be set to adjust the temperature of a home according to a your schedule. Here is the best part about this: the temperature on programmable thermostats can be set to change based on whether or not the home is occupied or whether residents are asleep or awake. For example, in the morning before you wake up, the thermostat can be preset for a slightly warmer temperature. As well, the thermostat can be adjusted for both heating and cooling seasons.

Programmable thermostats can automatically store settings and repeat those settings each day. However, they can still be manually set, overriding the programming when desired. A programmable thermostat generally allows more precise temperature management and a wider range of selections, offering a number of programming choices.

Most conveniently, it provides daily programming that allows one schedule to be used each day. Additionally, you can program your thermostat with different settings for the weekend. In fact, most programmable thermostats have a full seven-day programming ability, allowing for a different temperature schedule for every day of the week.

Call Expert Electric and we will be happy to install a programmable thermostat for you!

Throughout the years, we’ve added many great Father’s Day gifts to our extensive selection of LED products. Because the list is constantly growing, we decided to narrow it down to our top 10 best-selling gifts for dad. Our ideas range from LED products for task, leisure, and work lighting to vehicle LED bulbs and strips. They’re long-lasting, energy-efficient, and are sure to brighten dad’s day.

Christmas has come and gone, and the New Year has arrived. Mr. Electric wishes all of our customers a happy and healthy 2015! In efforts to promote safety and peace of mind for you and your family, we have a few tips to keep in mind when you’re taking down all your holiday décor this weekend.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. Around 5,800 people per year were treated in hospital emergency rooms for falls associated with holiday decorations, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International. Falls from ladders or roofs account for more than half of these injuries.

When using ladders, CSPSC tells us to keep these things in mind:

Be aware of where all the electrical cords are and make sure children know not to touch them. The CPSC estimates that each year, about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Of those injuries, 13 percent involve children less than five years of age, and electrical burns to the mouth accounted for 50 percent of the injuries to young children.

When taking down your lights, always be cautious and unplug them the correct way. Never tug or pull the lights, as they could unravel and unintentionally wrap around power lines. Let the lights cool off before packing. It’s also important to never leave lights unattended with children around.

There are many products available to help keep your Christmas décor in tip-top shape for next year. To ensure your strings of lights don’t tangle, you can purchase a Christmas lights storage reel or a light cord wrap online or at the nearest hardware store. For a DIY approach, empty coffee cans are also able to the trick.

Take special care to always keep smaller or breakable ornaments and display pieces out of reach of children. When dealing with spun glass “angel hair,” wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation.

Reusing containers such as an empty egg carton or wine box is a great way to store ornaments and reduce waste and extra cost. There are also numerous ornament storage boxes available as well. Group and pack displays together to prevent lost pieces and for easy access next year. For artificial Christmas tree storage, you can use a Christmas tree duffle bag to neatly store your tree. Using the box it came in is always a good idea, too.