In need of a 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? The experts at Kolb Electric would urge caution! We’ve spent some time talking about scammers in the past, and this situation could put you at risk. Wondering how? For starters, when you need an electrician RIGHT NOW you’re more likely to pay less attention to credentials and reputation. This could lead to shoddy work, dangerous wiring fixes, or just a plain scam!

Looking for a reliable and certified 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? Contact Kolb Electric right away!

On the surface, nothing at all. Our team offers reliable 24-hour services, and most certified and licensed electricians do. The worry here is pressure. You’re in a pickle, and need a solution right now. And for each trusted professional out there, there’s a scammer who knows you don’t have the time to worry about credentials.

In our posts about scamming and why you should choose a trusted electrician, we talk about how to go about recognizing trustworthy service. We detail things like looking for certification, and checking local peer reviews. And these are all super-duper important! Thing is, you’ve got an emergency on your hands. No one has time to do research in a time like that.

Well, you can certainly do a quick online check. Sites like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) can give you a good idea of whether or not you’re dealing with an accredited and trusted business. But taking your time usually yields better results. The key is to find a team beforehand.

As homeowners, we like having “regulars.” Businesses that we know we can call when we need answers. We do it with a family doctor, or local food joints that we love. Why not do it with home services, too? You should always have major businesses hand-picked for your needs before you need them. Find some roofers, find an HVAC expert, and of course, find an electrician!

Follow these steps to find a reliable electrician for your home:

Our certified and licensed professionals have been providing dependable, trustworthy service to Maryland, DC, and Virginia for nearly a century! We’re proud to say that our satisfied consumers always turn to our team in an emergency. Need a 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? Contact us!

Eric Lebersfeld and his dedicated Capitol Lighting team have expanded their reach and literally broadened the horizon toward “Making Lives Brighter.”  Together, they have enriched the lives of many and remain gratefully committed to their work with Habitat for Humanity.

Most recently, Habitat for Humanity Palm Beach County honored Lebersfeld at their gala celebration for his outstanding service and commitment.  Lebersfeld and the Capitol Lighting team remain faithful supporters of Habitat for Humanity and look forward to continuing the relationship and investing their resources in this noble organization.

Capitol contributions to Habitat for Humanity include:

•Donating over $100,000 in cash and products just this year.

•Investing their time and supporting the cause for almost 10 years.

•Developing the Making Lives Brighter Campaign with partner and spokesperson Rob-Van-Winkle, aka Vanilla Ice, to better serve the community and expand gift-giving capabilities.

• Bringing comfort to inhabitants, Capitol Lighting collects old lighting fixtures to be donated to Habitat and then offers donors a 10% discount towards new lighting purchases.

Members of the Capitol Lighting family enjoyed an evening of celebration and an awe-inspiring acknowledgement of their efforts on behalf of Habitat for Humanity.

For his work over the past 10 years, Habitat for Humanity Palm Beach County appointed Lebersfeld as an honoree.

Here are some excerpts from Lebersfeld’s speech at Habitat for Humanity’s Gala Celebration:

October 5, 2013

“So, how did it come to be that a little Jewish boy from New Jersey who sells lights for a living ends up being honored by a big international Christian Ministry that builds houses? “

Lebersfeld credits his parents, who taught him by their example to live his life in a certain way, to see what connects us as human beings, rather than what divides us:

“If one elevates their thinking just a little bit, we come to realize that the small differences between us are easily dwarfed by the commonalities we all share. 
The quality of a person is not made up by whom they know, what they have or how they look, but by who they are, what they create and how they can add to the lives of others.”

Lebersfeld went on to impart some of the history behind Capitol Lighting, a family-owned business that began in 1924 with his great-grandparents:

“Together, they started Capitol Lighting and began our mission to make lives brighter. 
They did this literally and figuratively. For almost 90 years, Capitol Lighting has been on a quest of making the lives of our customers, our communities, our vendors and most importantly, our employees – brighter”.

“Habitat’s stated mission is that of “building hope with homes”. Their organization is filled with dedicated and passionate people striving to provide deserving and hard working families with an incredible gift. They also have provided me personally and every member of my team who has worked on a habitat project the gift of allowing us to do a mitzvah – a good deed”.

“Our goals are aligned and Capitol’s and Habitat’s working together makes all the sense in world”.

Lebersfeld acknowledged with gratitude Capitol Lighting’s spokesperson, Rob Van Winkle, also known as Vanilla Ice, for boosting the Making Lives Brighter campaign and helping Capitol to donate well over $100,000 to Habitat.

He concluded his remarks by whole-heartedly thanking Habitat for Humanity for allowing Capitol Lighting the opportunity to support their good work: “It allows us to fulfill our mission while helping you fulfill yours”.

Lebersfeld also vowed his continued support for Habitat for Humanity, as he thanked Mike Campbell, director of Habitat, and Ana Vento of Vento Designs for making the evening such a success.

One of the greenest home improvement projects that you can undertake is to install solar panels. As more research is conducted, it is becoming more and more clear that our reliance on fossil fuels is one of the main contributors to not only our planets overall health, but the health of everyone who lives here. As a homeowner, working with solar panel installers to reduce your dependence on less renewable sources of energy can not only give you more energy freedom, but also help the environment at the same time. Plus, you could save a significant amount of money in the process.

Cost of Solar Panels

As a result of technological advancements, increased demand and the variety of payment options for solar panels, the cost is more affordable than ever. Although purchasing panels and the systems that go with them up front can be very expensive and cost prohibitive, many solar installers are offering alternative to this process. One of the most popular options is the solar lease. Rather than buying panels up front or financing their purchase, you can actually lease solar panels from a solar leasing company. This gives you both the solar power that you desire and the financial flexibility that you need.

Solar Leasing

Solar leasing is by far one of the largest growing trends in the solar power industry. The way it works is simple. You work together with a solar installer who will install the panels on your home for you. You then pay them a monthly leasing fee for the use of the panel. All of the electricity that you generate belongs to you and any excess can be sold back to the power company. As a result, you will typically start saving money in your first month.

At Solar Panel Info, we have compiled extensive information on the benefits of solar panel and solar leasing.

Click here to read more.

Smoke detectors (smoke alarms) are one of the most important safety devices in your home. If your home has well-maintained smoke detectors, the chances of your family surviving a house fire are greatly increased. From 2003 to 2006, 66% of fatalities due to house fires occurred in homes without working detectors (National Fire Protection Association).

Most homes have smoke detectors, but many times they are not located properly or are not working due to lack of maintenance. Of course, a smoke detector in the wrong location or one that no longer works because it has a dead battery provides no protection for your family. The Electric Connection, a fully licensed, bonded and insured electrician in Burbank CA, knows the most current code rules for smoke detector placement and they can install or replace your smoke detectors for you.

Maximizing Protection

Your family will have maximum protection if:

Can I install them myself or should I have my Burbank electrician install my smoke detectors?

You can purchase battery-operated smoke detectors from a hardware store and install them yourself. (If you decide to install your own smoke detectors, check your local building code for placing them.) For detectors that are wired into your electrical system, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that detectors be installed by a qualified electrician. The Electric Connection, a local electrician in Burbank, can often schedule an electrical service call appointment for the following day.

Are they expensive?

Depending on the type of detector you decide on, they can run from $10-$40 each, not including installation costs. You can often get a ballpark price over the phone for installation pricing from a Burbank electrician.

How should they be maintained?

Most detectors start “chirping” when batteries have run down. In addition, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing them monthly. They recommend:

Are your detectors properly positioned?

The guidelines given here can help you determine if existing smoke detectors are properly positioned. If you are going to install battery-operated ones yourself, follow the placement requirements of your local building code. In general, it’s recommended that you have a smoke detector:

Within these general guidelines, detectors should be placed where smoke can be readily detected — high up on walls or on the ceiling (smoke rises) and at a distance from windows, fans, and vents that might blow smoke away from the detector.

If the smoke detector is wired into your electrical system, it should not be on a circuit that can be turned off with a wall switch. It’s always best to consult with a licensed Burbank electrician when it comes to hard wire some detector installations.

If a smoke detector is placed too close to a kitchen stove or shower, it can be triggered unnecessarily by steam or normal cooking smoke. Better to move it to a different location that also meets general safety guidelines and your local building code.

If you are uncertain about placement or need help with installation or battery replacement, call a qualified electrician in Burbank, such as The Electric Connection or visit our website.

With summer just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about those weekend barbecues and all the outdoor entertaining you will want to do. Outdoor cooking is a tradition we love and cherish. It is something we will remember fondly for years to come. There is just something exciting and relaxing about eating a meal outdoors with friends and family. What if you could enjoy an outdoor meal all year? Or, what if you, the host, could join in the conversation while preparing a delicious meal for your guests? You can do both with the help of an electrician in Burbank. The Electric Connection can help you achieve your dreams of cooking outdoors in your own outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens give you the chance to take the party outside while you are cooking a meal. The kitchens can be a barbecue with a single countertop or a full kitchen complete with center islands, a sink and grill suitable for making an entire meal. A roof over the kitchen area protects your equipment. The walls are left open to allow the fresh air to circulate through the room. Some homeowners choose to have screening material installed to reduce the amount of bugs coming to check out the food.

An outdoor fan is also an ideal fixture for your outdoor kitchen. On hot days, a cool breeze will go a long way to keeping you comfortable while you enjoy your outdoor kitchen. The fan also helps cut down on the bug population. A Burbank electrician will work with you to set up your dream kitchen outside. Electrical outlets are a common addition to the kitchens so you can use some of your favorite appliances outdoors as well. If you are ready to take advantage of the beautiful weather, give The Electric Connection a call today and get started on your outdoor kitchen plans.