While it can be nice cuddle up once in a while in front of a roaring fire, any warm-and-fuzzy feelings quickly dissipate when your electric bill arrives. While your chimney lets smoke out, it also lets cold air in. So if you do want to use your fireplace, try and do so sparingly, and take the time to turn down the thermostat first.

It’s easy, affordable and a no-brainer – air leaks in windows, doors, plumbing and wiring let warm air out, but most of these problems can be easily fixed with a few minutes of time and a few dollars’ worth of materials. Apply caulking or weather-stripping material to windows and consider investing in a backdoor sweep if drafty doors are sucking the warmth from your home.

You know that little meter outside your home that is fairly unattractive and unnoticeable until you hear it making a scary sound. The sound is the little dial spinning around and around. That dial spinning represents your money flying out the door. The dial is measuring the amount of electricity you are using in your house. A spinning meter can be a little scary and you will be dreading the next electric bill. When you think about this summer, it is easy to really get concerned about how much it will cost you to keep your home cool. An electrician in Glendale can help you manage your spinning meter and help keep some of that money in your pocket. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

These are 5 ways you can help limit your electricity usage and keep your electric bill down.

1-Make a commitment to set your thermostat at about 74 this summer. That is a comfortable temperature and you can maximize it by using a ceiling fan installed by a Glendale electrician to help stir up a breeze and circulate the cool air.

2-Buy a laundry rack and dry a few things outside on the patio to cut down on how often you use the dryer.

3-Be more conscientious about the amount of hot water you use. Don’t leave the faucet running while you wipe down cupboards or rinse dishes. Shave a few minutes off your shower time as well.

4-Switch out your old bulbs for the much more energy friendly LEDs. These tiny little bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of the standard bulb. You can also use CFLs. In some cases, you will need to have your light fixtures upgraded by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will appreciate the new look an updated fixture brings to a room.

5-Buy new curtains and blinds to use as sun shields this summer. It will help keep your home warmer and save on cooling costs.

Give The Electric Connection a call today to install that new light fixture or ceiling fan so you can start saving money on your electric bill.

Find the best in outdoor lighting, as well as fabulous light fixtures for the kitchen and bath.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom to view outstanding arrivals to welcome the new season.

From kitchen island light fixtures to mini-chandelier lighting, there is something for everyone with stupendous seasonal savings on Artcraft Lighting…

Enriching the Kitchen with lighted pot racks that are functional, beautifying and surprisingly affordable.  Don’t miss Artcraft’s  “Contessa” collection!

Reach for the Stars and add a little contemporary flair with new collections including Artcraft’s “Eclipse,” “Aquarius,” Aurora,” “Rocket,” and “Shuttle” series.

Enjoy Time-honored Design and traditional elegance with Artcraft’s “Heritage” collection featuring outdoor lighting superbly finished in dark oil rubbed bronze.

Treat Yourself to a Little Romance with the latest mini-chandelier lighting fixtures perfect for powder rooms, bedrooms or small foyer areas.  Especially attractive additions include the “New Castle” collection from Artcraft.

Meet the Latest Technological Turn Ons with Artcraft’s LED “Radiance” collection of Energy Smart bath vanity lights. Also brilliant are Energy Star ceiling fixtures in Artcraft’s “San Diego” collection and Energy Smart chandeliers and island light fixtures featured in the “Berkeley” collection.

Artcraft has set the standard for quality lighting featuring hand applied finishes and distinguished glassware for nearly fifty years. The chandeliers are breathtaking and styles are available in a range of sizes, including mini-chandeliers and pendant lamps, to accommodate home decorating schemes from cozy corners to master bedroom suites.

Whether you need to update the light fixtures in your kitchen with new island light fixtures or brighten a gloomy nook with mini-chandeliers, you will always find a complete selection of home lighting and accessories at Capitol Lighting.

Revere the Dark Sky and Welcome the Fall Season with Wisdom and Light

Fun Fact: Certain municipalities throughout the United States have passed laws and ordinances requiring outdoor lighting fixtures on newly constructed homes be “Dark Sky” compliant. These ordinances are intended to protect our view of the nighttime sky from being obscured by “light pollution” inherent in poor artificial lighting design.

Light emitted from Dark Sky compliant fixtures is shielded to purposely focus illumination in a downward direction over designated areas where it is needed. Dark Sky compliant lighting also leads to energy savings. Whereas an outdoor sconce with openings on the top and the bottom may call for a 100-watt bulb, you may switch to a 40-watt bulb in a Dark Sky fixture that emits light only from the bottom for similar lighting effects.

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom for more information on the latest outdoor lighting applications.  Enjoy promotional discounts on innovative designs from Artcraft Lighting.

Not to be missed-Artcraft’s stately outdoor post lamps in the “Aspen,” ”Denver,” and “Seattle” collections.  Your home will stand out with class and style, while respectfully illuminating your environment for safety and security.

For great value and top quality designs in outdoor lighting, you can count on Artcraft. Capitol Lighting is proud to showcase outstanding new designs from Artcraft Lighting.