Most homeowners have very little experience working with an electrician in Glendale CA. As a homeowner, however, it is highly probably that you will require electrical service of some sort while you are living in your home. Whether you end up needing bath fans replaced, a home rewire, an electrical upgrade or any other type of electrical work, becoming comfortable working with electrical technicians can make the entire process much simpler.

Be Courteous

This should go without saying. Whenever you are working with someone who is providing you a service, you should always be kind and courteous. This holds true from the time you speak to the receptionist at your Glendale electrician to the time the technician cleans up and goes home. In addition to just being common courtesy, being kind also has many other benefits. In the same way that the technician should provide the highest level of customer service, you should leave an impression as a grateful and understanding customer. Remember that you are building a lasting relationship, and that kindness is more likely to pay off than gruffness when you are in a pinch.

Clearly Explain What You Need

By clearly explaining the job that you need completed, you save both yourself and the electrician in Glendale CA some very valuable time. Before you call to schedule an electrical service call, you should (in most cases) have a very clear idea of the work that you need done. If you need a ceiling fan installed, let them know of any special considerations. If you would like to install a whole house surge protector, share as much information as possible. If you are unsure of exactly what it is that you need, that is ok too. This is common when there is some sort of problem that requires electrical troubleshooting. Try your best to explain what is happening so that the technicians can provide the most accurate answer that they can.

Be as Flexible as Possible

Electricians often have a busy schedule. This means that even those that are very good at coordinating appointments may be late or have to reschedule. While this may be inconvenient, it may happen to you. Rather than becoming upset because they were late, grade your Glendale electrician on how they handle any hiccups in the system. A good electrical contractor will be quick to communicate, letting you know as soon as possible of any changes in scheduling.

Expect Quality Work

While you should always be kind and courteous, you should also expect quality work. Each electrician in Glendale CA should always provide you with the level of service that they promise. If you are ever unclear on exactly what it is that they are providing, just ask. By communicating as clearly as possible, you can often avoid any misunderstandings. Something that you perceived as incomplete, or poorly managed may have just slipped through the cracks. As with every other aspect of working with your electrician, communication is key. Furthermore, many large issues can be avoided by always working with an electrician with a high level of experience and strong reputation. When you choose an experienced and licensed contractor like The Electric Connection, one of the most important things that you can do is build a relationship together based on trust. Any homeowner or small business will remember repeat business and be very grateful for it. By establishing a strong rapport with your Glendale electrician, you not only know exactly who to call when you need help, but they’ll also know you and they’ll be completely familiar with your electrical system.

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This issue almost exclusively applies to instructions on how to safely repair it.

The average rated life of a light bulb represents how long it took for half of the bulbs to fail during testing (given perfect conditions). If your bulb lasted 12,315 hours (you counted!) but the label touted an average rated of life of 20,000 hours, you’re actually still within range of an acceptable life span.

We measure LED bulbs a bit differently since they never technically burn out, but rather fade over time. Instead, the Lighting FactsTM label indicates LED lumen maintenance (LM), which is an estimate of the bulb’s lumen depreciation over a given time.

Solution: Understand that the expected lifespan of your light bulb is simply an estimate based on testing that was performed in a controlled environment. When a bulb burns out earlier than that estimate, it doesn’t always mean something is wrong with it.

The average household in Virginia pays $125 per month for electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Association. In Maryland, that number is $136 per month and in DC, it’s around $90. For commercial properties, the figure is even higher. But at Kolb Electric, we know that there are simple steps you can take to lower your electric bill—and we’re going to share a few key tips.

1. Check for gaps in windows and doors. Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to reduce your energy usage, and thus your electric bill, is to check your home at the beginning of each season for gaps around the windows and doors. It’s important to do this every six months or so, since your home can settle and shift slightly over time. It only takes a small gap for energy to escape.

2. Turn down your water heater. The standard setting on most electric water heaters is 140 degrees. Turning the heat down to 120 degrees can save you $60 or more each year in water heating costs. Save more by replacing your water tank with a tankless system.

3. Repair leaky ducts. If your ducts have holes in them or if they have come partially unattached, then you’re paying to cool and heat air that is never getting to your living spaces.

4. Have your HVAC and electrical systems serviced annually. Keeping all electrical systems, as well as HVAC products, well-maintained can not only extend their lifespans and help ensure your safety, but can save you money on your electric (and gas) bill too. Your system has to work harder and use more energy to push through an accumulation of dirt and debris. Regular electrical maintenance can also prevent the need for costly repairs.

5. Check your electric meter against your monthly statement. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking your electric usage on the meter and comparing it to your statement. This allows you to easily determine whether your monthly energy bill is accurate and provides you with the information you need to monitor your usage so you can use electricity smarter in the future. Click here to learn how to read an electric meter.

At Kolb Electric, we don’t want you to pay any more than necessary for your electric usage. For more tips on how to reduce your electric bill and/or to schedule you annual service appointment today, call us at 877 287-1179. Our licensed electricians have been helping Mid-Atlantic homeowners with their electrical needs since 1925.

LED sign lighting provides years of illumination and low energy costs. sign modules that consume 50mA of power each. Required materials differ depending on sign size, module size, length of wire between modules, current draw, and lumen output.

Materials:

1. First, measure your sign. Although we recommend spacing module rows 3 inches apart, it’s ultimately up to you. If you want a brighter sign, place them closer together and vice versa for a dimmer sign. With the recommended 3-inch spacing, a 4-foot square sign would need 150 modules (15 rows of 10). Again, the quantity of modules needed  is based on many factors and can differ.

These LED sign modules are available in custom lengths of up to 20 modules per strand. Order 60 feet (4 feet x 15 rows) of stranded modules, and cut the strand after every 10 modules. Each strand can be cut to make two rows.

2. Next you’ll need to order a power supply that’s rated for the combined wattage of all sign modules. To ensure that you don’t overwork the power supply, confirm that the total wattage of your modules is at least 20 percent less than the power supply’s rated wattage.

An easy way to calculate this is to multiply the total wattage of your combined lighting by 1.2. In the 4-foot sign diagram, there are 150 modules with a current draw of 50 milliamps (mA) each. Since current draw is given in milliamps, multiply that number by voltage and move the decimal 3 places to the left to get wattage. This module consumes 50 mA and has 12 VDC operation, so it consumes 0.6 watts (50 x 12 = 600). Next, multiply 0.6 by 150 to get a combined wattage of 90 and multiply that number by 1.2 (90 x 1.2 = 108) to determine which power supply you’ll need. Since the result was 108, you will need at least a 120-watt power supply.

3. Next on the list is wire to connect all your sign module stands to the power supply. For a 4-foot sign, you’ll need 4 feet of 18-gauge two-conductor wire to serve as your main line plus enough to cover the distance between your power supply and where it will be wired into an electrical system. You’ll also need dual-channel T-tap wire splice connectors for an easy connection to your main line.

Before you begin working on your sign, turn off power to the area.

4. If there isn’t one already, drill a hole in the back of your sign as an exit point for your wire.

5. Use a tape measure or ruler to plot your row spacing. Leave space on one side of the sign for your module-to-main-line connections. Mount the sign modules using their double-sided adhesive and/or screw holes.

6. Insert the end wires of each sign module row into the T-tap splice connector, and clamp the other end of the connector onto the main line. The splice connectors eliminate the need to strip wire insulation.

7. Use double-sided foam tape to secure each T-tap splice connector to the inside of your sign.

8. Reattach your sign’s front cover.

9. Connect the main line to your power supply, wire the supply into your electrical system, and restore power to the area.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.