Do your lights flicker regularly? When you turn on your dishwasher or any other heavy appliance, do your lights dim briefly? Not only is this frustrating, but it could be the sign of a more serious electrical issue. While most people simply tolerate flickering lights, it’s best to understand what can cause flickering lights and why it’s important to get it corrected as soon as possible!

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues! 

A flickering light can simply be caused by a loose or defective bulb. This is about the only cause of flickering that a homeowner should attempt to fix on their own. With the light turned off (and fully cooled!), gently remove the bulb from the socket and inspect it. The glass bulb should be firmly affixed to the metal base—if it wiggles in the base at all, it’s defective and needs to be replaced. If the bulb is good, screw it firmly into the socket and test it for flickering. If it still flickers, another problem exists.

If the lights flicker at a certain time, or at a regular interval, pay attention to your other electrical demands during that time. An HVAC unit, clothes dryer, or other large appliance can put a heavy demand on your electrical service. If the lights flicker when other appliances kick on, there may be a problem with the appliance or service wiring. This is more than a nuisance—increased current draw can cause wiring, connectors, and breakers to heat up, presenting a real risk of fire. Even without the risk of fire, appliances that have to struggle to draw power can suffer damage to motors and other expensive components.

Defective wiring is another common cause of flickering lights. Undersized breakers, loose connectors, or damaged wires can all cause intermittent current losses. If your home has a mixture of copper and aluminum wires, special connectors must be used where the two types of wires meet. If the wrong connectors were used, they can corrode, causing flickering and other problems. Any defects in your home’s wiring can create a risk of fire or electrocution, and can render safety features like breakers and GFCIs ineffective.

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues!

Now is the time to consult with the lighting professionals at Capitol to prepare for the holiday season. With free shipping and the guaranteed lowest prices, this holiday season may be more brilliant than ever.

1.  Fulfill all your FANtasies! Indulge in comfort and superb air circulation with super savings on the latest indoor and outdoor ceiling fans.

“Dyno” Energy Smart fan from Minka-Aire with LED light kit

2.  Enjoy the sweet light with Swarovski and Schonbek.

“Jazz” recessed fixtures from Swarovski deliver a magnificent color array;  Be the first to showcase the future trend in illumination.

3.  Go Uptown with a New York designer and Quoizel Lighting.

Designer Sergio Orozco’s “Uptown” collection includes the “Sutton Place” chandelier, a timeless classic contemporary design.

4.  Personalize with handmade treasures and heirloom-worthy illumination from Lladró.

“Naturofantastic” candleholder features traditional golden highlights in signature handcrafted porcelain from Lladró.

“Lithophane” from Lladró offers LED Energy Smart illumination in a fashion-forward porcelain chandelier.

5.  Welcome the wall flowers with Currey and Company.

“Fairytale” wall sconces from Currey and Company offer a whimsical delicacy in Italian Gold Leaf-Pink finish with crystal drops.

6.  Be chic and dashing with pendant lighting from LBL and Tech Lighting.

“Rock Candy” from LBL Lighting features textured glass candle covers in a myriad of fashionable colors, including Blue Steel (pictured above).

“Modele” from Tech Lighting brings world-renowned EGIZIA lighting design from Italy.  Famous silkscreening on hand-blown Italian glass are available in a fantastic array of artistic combinations for an unforgettable illuminating presentation.

7.  Make a great first impression with new outdoor and landscape lighting from Kichler and Hinkley.

“Silver Coral” outdoor wall lights from Kichler Lighting will not go unnoticed.

“Sutcliffe” from Hinkley Lighting presents a perfect blend of old and new in this updated early American colonial lantern.

8.  Sing “Troy” to the World with new ceiling light fixtures.

“Canary Wharf” pendant light from Troy Lighting brings your illumination to new heights in more ways than one!

9.  Go swinging in Garden City with Hudson Valley.

“Garden City” wall swingers from Hudson Valley are fashionable and functional–a must-have in the well-decorated home or office environment.

 10.  Support your hometown heroes with Hubbardton Forge.

“Almost Infinity” table lamp bases from premier brand, Hubbardton Forge, are available in a choice of custom-designed finishes. Exclusively made-in-America from the finest craftsmen at the original iron forge in Vermont.

To view the latest in home lighting and accessories and for more designing ways to illuminate your Thanksgiving feast, visit with the lighting professionals at Capitol Lighting or 1800lighting.com.

Capitol Lighting Gives Thanks to Priceless Patrons with Promotional Savings All Season Long!

Add to your Thanksgiving holiday with the latest lighting designs from Quoizel, Lladró, Swarovski and Currey and Company.  Capitol Lighting invites you to take advantage of promotional pricing on masterful works of art, including grand chandeliers, elegant bath lighting, fans for all seasons, as well as mirrors and home accessories. Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop on-line at 1800lighting.com to custom design your holiday illumination.

You’re on top of grounding your children, but are you familiar with grounding your home? It improves the safety of your home as well as increases the life of your electronics, and who doesn’t want that? Mr. Electric has all you need to know in order to have your home properly grounded.

Electricity likes to travel the path of least resistance. When there’s too much of it, it needs somewhere to go. That’s where grounding comes in. You see, without it, that path of least resistance is your appliances and electronics – and possibly you when you use them. Burn! Zap! Not a good thing.

Since you don’t want your appliances – or you – to take the heat in these situations, a grounding wire is added to your home, offering all that electricity the perfect chance of escape, via a wire attached to your home’s electrical system which is submerged firmly in the ground – the reason it’s called “grounding.” Both your home’s electrical box and your home’s outlets need to be connected to this grounding wire in order to be properly and safely grounded.

Without proper grounding, you and your home could suffer burned out electronics and appliances, electrical fires and potentially deadly electrical shock.

Without special testing equipment, it may be difficult to tell. Just because you have three prong outlets does not mean the outlets – or your home – are properly grounded. These outlets must be properly wired in to your home’s main grounding wire for proper protection. There is also more to grounding than sticking a big metal rod in the dirt, such as properly attaching wires, grounding to your home’s water pipes correctly, and much, much more. If you don’t want your electrical behaving badly, you can ensure it is properly grounded by having it inspected by a licensed, qualified electrician.

Newer homes, as a result of increased safety regulations, are typically properly grounded. Older homes, on the other hand, may not have had a proper grounding experience, or any at all. Homes built before 1950 are especially at risk. You should always have your home, regardless of age, inspected for proper grounding by a licensed, qualified electrician to avoid the potential risks of fire, electrical shock, and property damage. You never know what the previous resident did without a permit.

Don’t suffer the punishment of burnt out electronics or a burned down home. Mr. Electric® will keep you out of trouble – get grounded today!