While you may not know them by name, you’d probably recognize a GFCI outlet if you saw one. These are the outlets that not only have the outlets themselves on their face plates, but also 2 small buttons. One says test, and the other says reset. These outlets are commonly located in areas of the home where water is often present, such as in bathrooms, outlets around the kitchen sink, and any outdoor outlets on your property. Essentially, they serve as an added safety feature in your home, protecting residents therein from the threat of electric shocks.

GFCI outlets measure the voltage level as electricity passes from the “hot” to the “neutral” side during use. Should the voltage not match up, the outlet registers that electricity is escaping and traveling through something to ground itself—potentially a human user of whatever device is plugged into the outlet. When this imbalance registers, the GFCI outlet basically acts as a circuit breaker. It nearly-instantaneously stems the flow of electricity through the circuit, protecting the user from danger. The outlet will then have to be reset before being used once again.

This winter is shaping up to be a cold one, even in areas you wouldn’t expect it. It can throw a wrench in your budget when you get an electric bill that is significantly higher than you are accustomed to. Running the heater all day and night is going to cost you. There are some things you can do to reduce your power usage throughout the winter to help offset the usage of the furnace. Your electrician in Burbank can help you do just that with these power saving tips. The team at The Electric Connection can provide you with more details about energy saving tactics.

1. Hold a family meeting. Make it clear that everyone needs to be a little more energy conscientious and make the effort to conserve. 5. When you turn on the heater, be frugal. You can set it at 72 and still be comfortable. If you are chilly, put on a sweater and some warm socks. Take the opportunity to enjoy some hot chocolate under a warm blanket.

Saving money doesn’t mean you have to dramatically change your lifestyle. A few simple tricks and you can balance the budget. Turn on the heat and rest easy. If you need any future tips or need those new LED fixtures, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Home hot tubs are becoming more popular. And why not? There’s nothing better than relaxing after a hard day’s work in a hot tub with a cold drink. But the increased demand has created a plethora of options for consumers to consider. Of course, hot tubs come in all  colors and sizes with differing jet placements and a range of other features, but getting a hot tub bubbling is not as easy as many people think.

A hot tub cannot be simply plopped on a deck, filled with water, and plugged in. Here are some hot tub owner tips to consider before you look at buying a hot tub.

Most — locales require a homeowner to obtain a permit before installing a hot tub. Check with your local officials to see if this is required in your area.

Finding the right spot is vital. Make sure it’s in a convenient place, generally close to the house so that it’s not hard to get to at night.,. If you are going to put it on a deck, make sure that your deck is rated for the right amount of weight. One gallon of water weighs about 8.3 lbs., meaning most hot tubs will weigh at least 4,500 pounds before people get in.

Different hot tubs have different electrical needs. Some of the units have a normal three prong plug, but it’s much more common for the hot tubs to need  50 -70  amps of electricity, which means they will require hardwiring. Depending on how much electricity your home is using, you may need to upgrade your electric panel.  This hot tub circuit   will need to be  Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected, which is an electrical code requirement.

Don’t leave a hot tub electrical installation to an amateur. Hot tubs are expensive electrical appliances that draw a lot of power and need to be operational at all times without negatively affecting your home electric. You may need a special wiring run, additional amperage, or fairly complicated electrical services that should be left to the professionals.