If you live in Maryland, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC, there’s a good chance you’ve seen one of Kolb Electric’s bucket trucks driving around! Our bucket trucks allow us to expand our service line far beyond that of most electricians in the area, and overall, they’re pretty great! These are a few of our favorite things about our bucket trucks:

The best thing about our bucket trucks is also their most defining feature—their height! Our trucks can reach up to 50 ft. Thanks to the lift we get from the cherry pickers, we can work on utility poles and parking lot lights as well as large industrial structures and anything else that requires a little extra lift.

Even up that high in the air, our bucket trucks keep our electricians safe. The buckets are designed to reach about waist height, meaning there’s very little risk of anyone actually falling out. Best of all, if something does happen—the weather turns bad, for instance—they’re easy to move out of dangerous areas.

Though they might seem big and complicated, once you get down to it, bucket trucks are pretty easy to use! A set of controls inside the cab controls the crane, while another set inside the bucket itself allows the rider to raise and lower him or herself while up there.

Not only that, but our bucket trucks also have space to hold all of our equipment, meaning we’re always prepared for jobs that involve going up high.

Our bucket truck fleet has helped us become one of the most well-known electrical service companies in the MD-DC-VA area. If you need utility pole, parking lot lighting, or any other services that require a bucket truck, call Kolb Electric today!

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If you own or manage a commercial property in Boston, you need a high performance but efficient heating system that can keep up with a heavy workload. That’s why it’s important to regularly schedule commercial heating services, such as maintenance every year to keep your unit in top shape, repairs whenever you notice problems, and new installation when it’s time for your older unit to go.

When you decide it’s time to heating system, an experienced technician may have many of the components on hand and knows where to order any additional components. And commercial repairs and maintenance may require additional equipment over some residential systems.

Commercial heating systems are not only different because of their size; they are also generally constructed in a different manner. Commercial boilers are large and complex and require careful installation and repairs to ensure they last for years to come. A packaged heating unit, another heating option, usually contains all of the elements of your business’s heating and cooling system. You need technicians familiar with the layout of this cabinet so that they can quickly locate parts and make any necessary repairs.

Finally, the ductwork of a commercial property may be more complex than a residential system’s ducts. Your technician must be able to understand the layout of the ducts and any zone control installed in your forced-air heating system. If you own a commercial boiler, your technician must be able to inspect the length of piping that allows hot water to move through the building.

When you need commercial heating services in Boston, trust the commercial specialists at FB Electrical Services.

May is National Electrical Safety Month, which is appropriate given the fact that this time of year is when many Virginians began taking out electric lawn equipment, setting up their swimming pools and undergoing major home renovations that necessitate the use of electrical devices. As a result, Virginia residents are more likely to encounter electrical hazards or fall victim to an electrical mishap in the spring than probably any other time of year.

According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are roughly 400 electrocutions in the United States annually. Of those 400, almost half are related to consumer products that are mishandled, installed poorly or have faulty wiring. The largest portion of these fatalities involve large household appliances that are used by millions of Americans every day.

While 20 percent of the total mishaps were caused by faulty wiring, another big percentage of electrocutions are actually related to the power lines. Nearly 5 percent of all deaths from these electrocutions were caused when a ladder contacted one of these high-voltage wires during routine home maintenance.

If you are looking to undergo a home renovation that requires use of a ladder, be careful to avoid placing it anywhere near your home's main connection to the power grid. You don't even have to come into direct contact with these lines to become electrocuted, as a good portion of these incidents are caused by electrical arcing between the wire and a ladder. Because of this danger, remain at least 10 feet beneath any power line when you set your ladder up.

Have you ever thought about what you could do to lend a hand to our shrinking natural resources? Maybe you have cut down the amount of gas you need on a weekly basis or even switched to an electric car. You have probably noticed your pocketbook is a little fatter after cutting down on your gas bill and now that you have a little taste of what it is like to rely on other energy sources you want to learn more ways. Solar power for your home is another way you can save a little money every month while doing something good for the environment. A Pasadena electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you make your home a little greener.

Modern technology has afforded us advancement in solar technology. The panels are much more neighborhood friendly and can be mounted directly on the roof of your home. They won’t take up any space in your yard. The panels are aesthetically appealing and will typically not violate any covenants that may be in your neighborhood. Because of the electrical components involved, a solar power system should only be installed by a certified electrician. Pasadena residents will want their solar power to be safe without worry an appliance will get ruined by a lack of power.

You can choose just how much solar power you want to produce by buying or leasing one or several panels. The amount of electricity you need will depend on how big your home is and how much power you need. You don’t have to worry about “running out” of electricity. When your solar power system is installed, you will still be connected to the main power grid. Your electric company will be your back up electric supply. In fact, if your solar power system produces more electricity than you use, you can typically sell it to your power company. Give The Electric Connection a call today to learn more about solar power and how it can work for you.