This Father’s Day, get out of the tie and money clip routine with 15 bright gift ideas that shine a light on Dad’s favorite past times. Is your dad a grill master, an adventurer, an artist or a hardcore movie buff? Or is he one of those guys that has his own personal style that can’t be nailed down to just one? Whatever the case, chances are good that we’ve got a lighting gift to match his style:

The electrical system in your home is its most vital component, more so than its gas and plumbing. Without electricity, most basic tasks during the day are impossible—and they become worse than impossible at night. If you have an electrical system that is suffering from repair needs, you can’t wait for a full power loss before calling for repairs. Watch for the warning indicators listed below that will tell you to contact a licensed and experienced electrician immediately.

Call us for these services or for electrical system repairs in Mill Creek, WA.

The state of Texas takes up about 16.7 percent of the land area of the United States. That is such a large portion that it is important to understand when this state stands on a number of issues. Going green is one of those issues that many people wonder where Texas stands.

When talking about going green, one of the most important questions is whether or not Texas is considering Green Energy in any forms. Since this state boasts of an expansive oil industry, is there any reason to believe that it would even consider green technologies?

You cannot deny that Texas is an enormous presence in the United States, but its very size means that there is room for many different industries and that includes those that focus on improving the state of the planet. The Lone Star state is actually involved in numerous environmentally friendly Green Energy sources, and some of those initiatives have actually been launched by Texas’ own entrepreneurs and energy companies.

Of course, some of those initiatives are not solely motivated by profits. The majority are set in place by those who are interested in doing their part in the fight to save our environment. There is an altruistic element involved in many of these initiatives, and one of the best known is the one that was started by the owner and CEO of Mesa Partners an oil and natural gas producer.

As one might expect, seeing that a good portion of the state receives ample to excessive wind, there are numerous wind power generators located throughout the panhandle as well as other parts of the state. Acres and acres of farm land have been dedicated to producing electric power. This is in part due to the massive efforts of one of Texas’ most influential citizens, T. Boone Pickens who has worked tirelessly to promote wind energy.

Some cities like Houston are even doing their part by promoting the use of electric cars, and they have also adopted regulations that put mandatory water controls on the citizens. Governmental controls aside, many citizens of this fine state are doing their individual parts to make an impact on the environment.

Although Texas may be well known as an oil friendly state, it is certainly not true that it is not friendly to the environment. With 27,000 wind turbines already pumping out power, and the plan to make that number 70,000 by the end of 2012, no one can say that the state of Texas is not going green.

Wouldn’t it be nice to really step up your game this holiday season? This is the time of year when friends and family are sure to visit your home. Maybe it will be for an evening of fun and entertainment or maybe it will be for a lovely dinner. No matter what your plans are for the holidays, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little something extra to help set the scene in your home? A new chandelier is the perfect, functional idea. An electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection can get your new chandelier installed just in time for holiday entertaining.

Gathering in the sitting room for cocktails, games or good conversation is a great way to reconnect with old friends and family you haven’t been able to spend quite as much time as you would like with. Having the right lighting can help set the mood. Bright and festive or dim and intimate can all be achieved with a new chandelier complete with a dimmer switch installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners who want to be able to set the mood with the flick of the switch will love the beauty and flexibility a new chandelier gives them.

Many of the new chandeliers available on the market today are equipped to use energy-saving lightbulbs, which can ultimately save you money in the long run. LEDs are the perfect way to brighten up a room by using just a few bulbs. The look and feel of a room can be completely transformed with the installation of a new chandelier by a Burbank electrician. Chandeliers offer unique lighting options for a foyer, dining room or a den. Have fun and shop around for the perfect fixture. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get your appointment scheduled before your next big gathering.

If you are renovating or updating your kitchen, one common kitchen addition you might be interested is a garbage disposal unit. This little unit sits in your sink and allows you to shred food that you would not normally fit down the drain. This can be a handy appliance, however it may introduce the threat of electrocution into the environment, as water and electricity don’t mix well. If you are looking at having a garbage disposal unit installed in your sink, have one installed safely.

The garbage disposal unit is installed into your existing sink pipe. In order to power the unit, you will require a 120-volt GCFI (ground-fault circuit interrupter). This means that you will need an outlet under your sink to plugin into. If one is not available you will need to have it installed. Often, other appliances may already heavily load kitchen circuits, it is important to check the load on that circuit before installing a new electrical outlet. If you are not careful, every time you run your garbage disposal you could cause the breaker to trip and lose power to your toaster, microwave, or refrigerator.

At times disposal units may need maintenance, become clogged, or break down for some other reason. To identify the problem you may need to open up the sink or motor to get to the part that you need access to. Before you begin any work, shut down the circuit that the garbage disposal is on and unplug the unit. This will not only keep your fingers safe from the motor activating unexpectedly, but it will also help you avoid an electrical related accident. If you start to take apart the pipes and water begins leaking there is a big risk of electrical shock. If you are not familiar with the plumbing or electrical work of the garbage disposal, leave it to a professional. You may think it is a simple job, but one mistake can be costly.

Before having a new garbage disposal installed, inspect your sink and pipes for any leaks. If these leaks make contact with exposed electrical wires or outlets there is risk of electrical shock. If you are not familiar with the plumbing or electrical work involved in installing a garbage disposal unit, call an expert. Our licenced electricians can ensure that your kitchen circuit can handle the unit and install a new electrical outlet.