The strike doesn’t even have to be a direct hit on your home but can occur within half a mile.  As a matter of fact, the majority of surges that most people take are from problems at someone else’s home or somewhere further down on the power company lines.  A surge doesn’t have to be lightning; it can come from an automobile accident that hits a power pole or even from a routine maintenance on the main power lines when they turn the power back on.  This off and on of the power with the main electrical lines can send surges into your home or business that I have seen destroy lots of electronic equipment and appliances.

Almost every home has multiple computers, and expensive home entertainment systems.  Even our appliances are high-tech with monitors built into the doors of refrigerators and laundry appliances with electronic controls.  These items are especially vulnerable to spikes in your home’s electrical current that may cause melted circuit boards and overheated wires.  Repairs to these expensive gadgets are much more costly than replacing a blown out light bulb or electrical outlet.

During the Fall and Winter months, Expert Electric installs an increasing amount of outdoor parking lot lighting for all different types of commercial buildings including office buildings, retail businesses, restaurants and bars. As the days get shorter, many business and property owners begin to see the benefits of outdoor parking lot lighting as there is less daylight. Outdoor parking lot lighting is important all year round to prevent break-ins, vandalism and burglaries from occurring. Learn more about the different types of outdoor parking lot lighting installations that Expert Electric does.

Outdoor parking lot lighting is an important security measure in protecting the buildings, businesses and employees of office buildings. Not all office buildings have security guards and underground parking. Outdoor parking lot lighting can help protect office buildings from burglaries. It can also help protect vehicles from vandalism and break-ins. Employees will feel more comfortable when walking to their vehicles after work in a well-lit environment, especially in the Fall and Winter months. The licensed electricians at Expert Electric can install outdoor parking lot lighting for office buildings all throughout the Lower Mainland and Greater Vancouver area.

Outdoor parking lot lighting is very important for retail businesses for many of the same reasons as it is important for office buildings. Retail businesses have plenty of valuable inventory and assets on hand and are often targeted with burglaries. A well-lit parking lot can help prevent burglaries from occurring. Outdoor parking lot lighting is also important for retail shops to remain in business. Customers will not want to visit a store during the evening if it does not have sufficient outdoor parking lot lighting. Parking lot lights help keep customers secure, especially for retail locations that are open late at night. Expert Electric can install outdoor parking lot lighting in a variety of different types of retail stores including

Restaurants and bars are usually open later than most other businesses which makes their parking lots more vulnerable to crime. Hiring parking lot security can be expensive and installing security cameras does not necessarily prevent vandalism and burglaries from taking place. Installing parking lot lighting in restaurants and bars can significantly help reduce vehicle break-ins, vandalism and theft. Customers will feel more comfortable when walking to and from the building during evening hours when the parking lot is properly lit.

If you would like to learn more about outdoor parking lot lighting for commercial buildings or residential homes, please contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric today. At Expert Electric, we offer a large variety of electrician services including standby generator installations, electrical transformers, hot tub wiring and more. Call us to schedule an appointment today at 604-681-8338. Our team will provide you with a written estimate, flexible service hours and follow up after 48 hours to ensure that you are completely satisfied with out work. Trust the experts at Expert Electric!

Twice a year (Spring and Fall), the High Point Market promises an array of new home furnishings, wall decor, lamps and lighting that define future trends and excite the imagination.  This year’s fall showing (October 18-23) did not disappoint!  Take a look at bright new styles, just in time for the holiday season.

More than 200 showrooms, filled with outstanding decor and illumination, offered a truly spectacular preview into the latest trends for the upcoming season.  Must-see items include modern table lamps from Van Teal, designer chandeliers from Crystorama and exclusive ceiling fixtures and outdoor lanterns “Made-in-America” from Framburg Lighting.

Van Teal’s “Burst” Collection

The “Burst” Collection from Van Teal features a must-see Gold Leaf and Artisteel finish.  See the entire collection from table lamps to island lights at 1800lighting.com.

Framburg Lighting’s “Brocatto” Collection

“Brocatto” from Framburg features lace and Italian glass for an exquisite presentation and dazzling illuminating effects.

Dynamic Collections from Libby Langdon Lighting for Crystorama

• The “Jennings” Collection

The “Jennings” collection features an artistic geometric in a Polished Nickel finish over White linen shades.

• The “Sylvan” Collection

The “Sylvan” collection features elegant chandeliers with a free-flowing design in Polished Nickel with linen shades.

Coming soon to 1800lighting.com…

“Timeless” table lamp from Currey and Company

Stay-tuned for more highlights from High Point coming soon to 1800lighting.com. Classic and modern table lamps, designer chandeliers and lighting fixtures made exclusively in America are this year’s big winners!

Oil and natural gas resources are highly in-demand for the fuel and energy sectors, and this demand will continue to grow. Companies working in these sectors are often hard-pressed to put effective electrical systems in place that can handle the energy requirements without compromising on safety and reliability.

The good news is that modern electrical solutions are designed to handle the pressures and demands of processes in every aspect of the oil and gas industry. Today’s electrical infrastructure combines safe and reliable power supply with state-of-the-art information management systems customized to suit various requirements.

Let’s take a look at some of the electrical equipment available for oil and gas industry applications:

These can easily be considered some of the most essential products for the oil and gas sector, since they offer improved safety and security for employees as well as production units. Efficient warning systems can reduce the risk of casualties and save lives in case of untoward incidents.

You have probably turned on your furnace already this year or pulled out the space heaters to help warm up your room. It won’t be long before you start to see your electric bill rise with the cost of heating your home. There are some things you can do to help keep your electric bill down and more money in your pocket. Your neighborhood electrician has some best practices to help you reduce the amount of electricity you use on a daily basis. For more information, call The Electric Connection.

1-Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees. You can wear a warm sweater or some thick socks while you are at home. At night, turn the thermostat down a couple more degrees since you will be sleeping with blankets.

2-Unplug your cell phone charger as well as tablet and laptop chargers when you are not using them. It may seem small, but every charger pulls a little electricity even when nothing is plugged in.

3-Switch out your old incandescent bulbs with CFL or LEDs. You may need to change out your light fixture, which your electrician can do for you. The investment in a new fixture will pay for itself when you save money on your monthly lighting bill.

4-Turn down the temperature on your water heater a few degrees. It is unlikely you would use water that is 125 to 140 degrees anyways. If you can’t use water that hot, it doesn’t make sense to waste the electricity heating it to that point.

5-Make it a rule you only wash full loads of dishes in the dishwasher and only full loads in the washer. Try washing clothes with cold water when possible.

6-Invest in heavy curtains to block the chilly air coming in through the glass in the winter and block the heat of the sun in the summer. This will keep your home more comfortable and save you money on your electric bill.

If you have any more questions for your electrician about energy savings, give The Electric Connection a call today to see what else you can do to save some cash.

— Electric Connection (@LAElectricianCA) December 15, 2015