In the 30 years I’ve been an electrician, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what qualities make the best Dallas Electrician the best.  Obviously, there are a whole lot of factors that go into something like that:  quality of service, friendliness, willingness to help.  But let’s face it; at the end of the day, the best electrician is the one who can save you money.  So, I’d like to share some money saving tips with you.  And I‘m going to start with the biggest, most effective tip of all.  Ready?  Here it comes.

Turn your stuff off

That’s it!  Turning your electrical devices off when you’re not using them is the best way to lower your home electric bill now, I know what you’re thinking:  “That’s not a very fun answer.”  Well, you’re right:  there are certainly more interesting ways to save money on your electric bill (and I’m going to share a few of them with you right now), but it’s important to start with the basics.  So, what can you do to save money without turning things off?

With more and more emphasis being placed on renewable energy sources, especially options such as home solar panel systems, many homeowners are wondering whether or not they can do the work themselves in order to save a few dollars. Although many of the basic concepts of a solar power system may seem rather simple, it is important to get local solar panel installers involved so that you can ensure that the system that you are installing is appropriate for your needs, that it follows all local codes, and that it is properly and safely installed.

The cost of solar panels is by far one of the main reasons why anyone would look into the option of installing solar panels themselves. Having a professional installation team work in conjunction with a local electrician, however, can make a huge difference in the overall health and life of your solar power system. This is especially true if you are connecting your solar panel array to your electrical service panel. Performing a step like this requires very specialized skills, tools, and knowledge and could result in very serious injury or death if not done properly.

All in all, choosing to install solar panels on your home is one of the best ways to reduce your overall dependency on traditional electricity sources. It can also help to reduce greenhouse emissions and lower your carbon footprint. To make this type of project even more attractive are all of the credits, incentives and different payment options that are helping to make green energy technologies more accessible than ever before. For any questions regarding the purchase, lease or installation of solar panels, please browse through the solar power info that we have here. You can also contact us at any time.

As technology moves forward, our knowledge of electricity and our ability to make it safer for us to use has also advanced. One of the latest and greatest things we have at our fingertips is GFI outlets. You have probably seen these in some buildings and maybe even a few new homes. The National Electric Code has made these outlets a standard. Kitchens, bathrooms and other areas that are near water like pools and spas are all required to have GFI outlets in place instead of the standard outlets. If you are not sure if you have one of these, call The Electric Connection and we would be happy to explain. You can also read on and learn a little more about what they are.

Your electrician in Pasadena will explain exactly what GFI outlets are. These outlets look different than the standard ones you have seen for decades. There are 2 buttons in the center of the outlet. 1 red and 1 black. These are to test whether the outlet is working and the other is to reset it.

GFI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters can prevent against electrocution in the event a person is standing or touching water while using an electrical appliance. The GFI detects the very millisecond the electricity is no longer flowing along its proper second. As soon as it detects the break, it cuts power to the appliance, thus preventing a terrible accident. This is where the reset button comes into play. Simply reset the outlet after the situation has been made safe.

This is a fairly simple precaution you can take today to prevent a serious, life-threatening accident in the future. If you would like to learn more about replacing your existing outlets with GFIs, call an electrician. Pasadena residents can rely on The Electric Connection. We have a knowledgeable staff ready to help make your home a safer place. Give us a call today.