Creating that relaxing and efficient bathroom you’ve been dreaming of is a great project. Finally getting to pick out that perfect whirlpool tub or that delicate sconce lighting that you’ve always wanted can be fun and exciting, and it can also be the beginning of the end of years worth of wishful thinking and making do. But, don’t get too carried away with all that planning before the practical matters have been considered, such whether your electrical system is equipped to handle the changes you have in mind. Consulting an electrician to evaluate your system and your remodeling plans is an important first step.

Replacing older bathroom lighting fixtures with new, modern ones is a job that can be a bit more complicated than it may seem at first glance. Newer fixtures, like whirlpool tubs or modern lighting options are designed for new homes with modern electrical systems. Installing them in an older home can present some challenges as far as your wiring system is concerned, making it necessary for your to do some wiring or electrical panel upgrades. Or, you may need additional switches or outlets installed to make everything work. Knowing these details ahead of time can make your project a lot less complicated, so it makes sense to have your electrician Burbank specialist look over the situation before you begin.

No electrician will be more skillful and professional in evaluating the electrical needs of your remodeling project than The Electric Connection. Our well trained and dedicated staff places a high priority on exceptional customer service, which combined with their reputation for high quality work, has made them the highest rated electrician in the area. The Electric Connection can help you determine whether you’ll need electrical upgrades to make your remodeling plans practical.

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The little community of Victoria Park in central Florida is beating out Los Angeles when it comes to saving electricity on street lighting. Last November, I wrote a blog post about the street lighting program here in Los Angeles, which is currently yielding higher-than-expected energy savings — 60% compared to the expected 40%. Well, that’s something to crow about regardless of what they’re doing in Victoria Park.

The Nitty-Gritty in L.A.

Electricians are using LEDs to replace the conventional incandescent bulbs in 140,000 Los Angeles street lights. Maintenance costs for LEDs, though not as significant as electric bills, also take a smaller bite. Nothing to be sneezed at! LEDs are good for the City budget, good for climate change, and good for energy independence.

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a light created by the kind of tiny parts that are in a computer. LEDs are used, for example, in many kids’ light sabers. They’re brighter and use a lot less electricity than the incandescents that you and I screwed into sockets when we grew up. As for what Victoria Park is up to….

Electricians Retrofit Gas Lights in Victoria Park, Florida

Victoria Park is now upping the ante. Electricians are retrofitting its gas-burning street lights with special LEDs that will save the community 92% on its combined energy and maintenance bills.

Victoria Park is a planned community in central Florida. Residents enjoy the charm of real gas-lit street lights, but the expense is a concern. As the community builds out, the annual costs for gas and maintenance were being projected to top $1,000,000 a year, just for street lighting.

When residents formed a committee to look into alternatives, the committee hit upon low-voltage LEDs. While typical house current runs at 110 volts, low-voltage current can run at around 24 volts, reducing power needs.

Victoria Park is now retrofitting their existing street lights with low-voltage LEDs. The retrofits, an innovation by Solas Ray™ Lighting in Anderson Indiana, look, for all the world, like real gas lights. They mimic the look of a candle flame. The lights create charm and a warm glow, but also five times more light than each pole would create with gas. Not to mention the 92% energy and maintenance savings. In fact, the Mayor of the City of DeLand, where Victoria Park is located, awarded Solas Ray a proclamation of appreciation for saving Victoria Park residents nearly half a million dollars in 2010.

Fortunately for all of us, in the energy efficiency race, we all win as cities out-do each other to help out their budgets and help the environment.

Want to save energy in your home or business?

One of the specialties of my electrical contracting company, The Electric Connection, is energy-efficient lighting. Call us to discuss your lighting needs (800) 990-9490.

Kim Hopkins

CEO, The Electric Connection.

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If you are thinking you missed the boat to get a ceiling fan installed for the summer, you didn’t. Ceiling fans are excellent fixtures for the winter time as well and can actually help save you money on your heating bill. I know, I know, you are probably wondering how a fan will keep you warm in the winter, but it truly can. Your electrician in Burbank will explain. If you would like to learn more about ceiling fans, give The Electric Connection a call and somebody will be happy to talk with you more about it or any other Burbank electrical needs you may have.

Ceiling fans are designed to circulate the air in a house. Yes, they are great for summer because they do stir up the air and create a slight breeze to cool you down. They also move around the air to prevent it from getting stagnant and stuffy, making you feel hotter and more uncomfortable. In the winter, the concept is essentially the same, but the moving air is warm. Heat rises. So all of that warm air coming out of the vents in your floor is rising to the ceiling where you can’t feel it and appreciate it.

Ceiling fans are equipped with a switch to control the direction in which the blades turn. During the summer, you want the blades turning counter-clockwise. This blows air down into a room and gives you that breeze you so desire. In the winter, the blades should turn clockwise. This pulls up the cooler air in the room and pushes down the hot air towards the outer edges of the area. This prevents you from feeling that breeze the fan generates. This keeps the warm air in the room and the thermostat, which is typically on a wall, will register the room is warm enough and will not be forced to kick on the furnace. This is where the energy savings comes in. If you are ready to schedule your ceiling fan installation, give The Electric Connection a call today.

It doesn’t feel like it yet, but fall is coming! Cooler weather and clearer nights are on the way; perfect time for some home hot tub relaxation. But when our electricians in Baltimore talk hot tubs, we have some concerns. These stem from various issues, but they can all mean one thing in the end: danger.

At Kolb Electric, your safety always comes first. Yes, even before our service (though you might argue that they go hand-in-hand; we would). If you’re considering a hot tub installation, or you’re just getting primed and ready to make use of the one you have, there are some factors we would like you to consider.

Looking for industry-leading electricians in Baltimore for your hot tub or home appliance wiring? Contact Kolb today!

The definition of the word faulty is “working badly or unreliably because of imperfections”, so when we’re talking wiring, faulty can mean old or damaged, or poorly installed. Both of these are equally dangerous and can lead to electric shock, electrocution, and fires! It’s serious business and we aim to help ensure you never deal with these potential threats.

So why are we so worried about hot tubs? Aside from the fact that they’re almost literally giant bathtubs with an electric current, once they’ve been installed many homeowners opt to never have the wiring inspected for water damage or replaced.

And even further beyond, some homeowners regard hot tub wiring as a DIY job. It’s really, really not. Wiring can get complex, and when you’re dealing with something as potentially volatile as electricity (especially when that electricity is surrounded you water!), even the tiniest mistake can become a harmful and even deadly issue.

So how do you get the glorious hot tub you’ve always dreamed of with none of the risks? Do these:

Hot tubs are made to be enjoyed, not worried over! When you’re ready for an installation, trust in the team at Kolb. Or if you’ve already got a hot tub, let our team make sure your system is working safely and effectively. Contact our experts today for the superior service and safety assurance you deserve!