Your home is supposed to be your safe place, your sanctuary, but if you have an older home, it can quickly become a nightmare. Old home wiring, especially if the wiring is 50 years or older , can put your home and everyone it it at risk for an electrical fire. While wiring doesn’t quickly age, it does age, it does break down, and it does carry risks. Keeping an eye on your home’s wiring and the way that it behaves is one of the best ways to avoid an electrical fire and protect your home. Your home is trying to tell you exactly what it needs more often than not, so keep an eye out for some of the following signs that your home’s wiring is too old and needs to be replaced by a professional electrician.

While there could be a variety of reasons you might have dimming or flickering lights in your house, if it becomes a regular occurrence, it’s time to get an electrician out to your house. These kinds of symptoms are your house telling you that there is something going on in your electrical system. Whether it’s that there is too much power being drawn at one time or that the wiring is failing, a licensed electrician can help to diagnose and fix the issue.

If you’ve had a rodent problem in your home at any time, it’s exceptionally important to have your electrical system evaluated. While rodents would prefer to munch on the cereal in your cabinet, there is something about home wiring that is exceptionally appealing to them. While they’re burrowing around in your walls, there is a high chance that they either chomp through wiring or knick it enough to expose the wiring to the insulation in your walls. Both scenarios can put your home at risk for an electrical fire at any time.

If you’ve never had a circuit breaker trip on a regular basis, then you probably don’t know how absolutely frustrating it can be, especially when the problem is probably hidden somewhere behind the walls. A circuit breaker that continues to trip is a big indication that something is wrong with your wiring. Instead of trying to force it on, make sure to call your electrician to help root out the cause of the problem in order to fix it.

If you’ve ever gone to plug in an appliance and been shocked, that’s probably not a good sign. However, if this happens regularly where you get shocked or your switches and outlets start to look discolored from burns, you have a big problem on your hands. These signs are indicative of a wiring problem and wiring shorting from the energy heavy appliances that are more common today. Don’t just hide the problem with a new outlet cover, have the problem checked out and repaired.

Lastly, don’t dismiss random burning smells or the sharp smell of burning ozone. Both could be indicators that something is going on behind your home’s walls that you can’t see. When you flip a light switch, this connects a live electrical wire and allows power to continue into a light fixture or appliance. If there is burning when the switch is flipped on, the odds are the problem is in the wiring that connects the switch and the light fixture. However, a licensed electrician can determine the extent of the damage and what the problem is.

Although the beautiful spring weather is giving you a nice break on your electric bill, it is always important you learn more ways to cut down your energy usage. This summer is going to be a hot one. You need to get ahead of the game by learning some useful tips and tricks for staying cool this summer without turning your thermostat down and running up your electric bill. An electrician in Los Angeles has those tips for you. If you need any more questions answered, the team at The Electric Connection can certainly help you.

Check out the following 5 ways you can reduce your electric bill and stay cool this summer.

1-If you haven’t done so already, switch out your old incandescent bulbs to the more energy efficient LEDs or CFLs. Your lighting needs account for about 20 percent of your electric bill. By changing out those old bulbs, you could save quite a bit of money. If you have an old light fixture, considering having it changed out by an electrician. Los Angeles residents will soon see it was worth the investment.

2-Invest in some heavy curtains or consider having your south-facing windows tinted. This can cut down on the heat produced by the sun hitting the glass.

3-Have a ceiling fan installed by a Los Angeles electrician to help reduce cooling costs. A fan in the main living area and in each bedroom can help keep you cool without running up your electric bill.

4-Use a crockpot to cook meals on really hot days. This will reduce the heat generated by the oven or stove.

5-Do not use your dryer during the day. Consider drying clothes outside or run the dryer in the early mornings and late evenings.

If you need a new ceiling fan installed or have any additional questions, give the team at The Electric Connection a call today.

While it can be nice cuddle up once in a while in front of a roaring fire, any warm-and-fuzzy feelings quickly dissipate when your electric bill arrives. While your chimney lets smoke out, it also lets cold air in. So if you do want to use your fireplace, try and do so sparingly, and take the time to turn down the thermostat first.

It’s easy, affordable and a no-brainer – air leaks in windows, doors, plumbing and wiring let warm air out, but most of these problems can be easily fixed with a few minutes of time and a few dollars’ worth of materials. Apply caulking or weather-stripping material to windows and consider investing in a backdoor sweep if drafty doors are sucking the warmth from your home.

The Christmas carols are already playing nonstop in shopping malls and on the radio. Before you know it, Christmas day will arrive. Whether that means flying off to visit far-flung friends and relatives, or inviting the extended family into your own home, follow these tips to have a meaningful, and safe, holiday season.

Your Christmas Tree 

The tree is the monument around which many families' Christmas celebrations revolve. But beware-- every year an average of 210 homes experience fires caused by their tree, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

To avoid becoming an unhappy statistic, look for a tree with fresh needles that isn't dried out, and place it in an area clear of any heat sources. Use LED light strands, which produce very little heat, and never hang actual candles from the tree. Dispose of it after Christmas once it starts getting dry and the needles are falling off. If you use an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled “fire resistant.” 

You also want to ensure the tree is set up securely. At best, a fallen Christmas tree is a shame, and at worst it could cause a hazard, possibly knocking over other items and leaving broken glass, frayed wires, spilled water in its wake.

Don't forget about wire safety. Make sure that none of the cords to your lights are frayed and the plugs are in good working order. Try to avoid an extension cord, but if one is necessary inspect it as well, and ensure it doesn't present a tripping hazard in your house. Finally, don't overload a single outlet with too many lights or you can risk tripping the circuit or even  creating a fire hazard. 

Candles

Candles are an important part of many family holiday decorations, and not just for Christmas. The menorah is a centerpiece of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration, with a new candle lit each day. And people who observe Kwanza light candles to commemorate seven principles of African heritage. Whatever religious or secular tradition you follow, candles bring warmth and light to stave off the darkness of winter. 

While the candles are beautiful and significant, their open flame can also be dangerous to people, pets and your home. For safety, lit candles should never be left unattended, and never placed in an area where a child or pet could get burned or knock them over. Also make sure they aren't near any flammable material like curtains.

If you want to make a semi-permanent window scene for the holiday, it's better to get an electric menorah or other display, and save the real candles for a supervised  and temporary ceremony. 

In the Kitchen

The same precautions that apply to candles also apply to gas stoves and their open flames. Take care that guests don’t bump into the stove or hot pots and pans. Also, some cultures call for fried foods, such as the Hanukkah tradition of frying potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Enjoy the delicious meals but be careful not to splash cooking oil around the kitchen, which is another fire hazard.

Your Outdoor Display 

It's fun to turn your yard into a scene from the North Pole. Just make sure that any lights and other equipment is rated for outdoor use and won't short out in a snow or rainstorm. As with indoor lights, inspect the cords for any damage and discard those that aren't in top shape. If you need an extension cord, make sure it's rated for the outdoors as well, and don't let it run through puddles or across walkways.

With just minor precautions, you can ensure a safe holiday season focused on family and tradition.

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.