Anytime you call on contractors to perform work for you, you want to make sure you are choosing a company that is delivering the best service on the market and is improving your home or business. That is true for hiring solar installers as well. When you hire solar installers, screen potential companies for the following traits:

You can expect the Electric Connection to satisfy all these conditions. We’re the leading solar installers in the Los Angeles area and are ready to set you up with a solar system that saves energy and money while we redefine your notions of exemplary contractors. Call us to start on the road to energy savings!

emergency power systems in preventing the loss of electricity to data sources and other IT operations such as servers, point of sale systems, PC’s, routers, switches, telecommunications, and other equipment. The Indoor Generator offers IT professionals an affordable solution that provides hours of backup power at a fraction of the cost of current UPS products on the market. For more information on the www.electricmaninc.com.

Now is the time to evaluate your outdoor and landscape lighting needs in preparation for the summer season.  Follow our step-by-step landscape lighting design plan and get the job done right.

Learn how to get luxurious landscape lighting effects and make your home shine by Memorial Day 2014…

Step One:  Review the perimeters of your home, including surrounding outdoor property—front yards, back yards, side yards—to see which features you would like to accentuate, such as fountains, sculpture, or flower boxes. Choose a few areas that will stand out and add a luxurious element to your home at night.

Step Two:  Scout out areas where you will need security lighting—leading up to and at all home entryways.  Take note of areas where path lighting, step lighting, and task lighting are needed.

LED strip lighting under steps, railings and benches provides excellent security lighting and may be custom-tailored to your decor. LED light strips are especially suitable for outdoor areas, as they are long-lasting and extremely durable, radiate very little heat, and use up to 80 percent less electricity than standard light sources.

Step Three:  If you have existing outdoor lighting—review your property at night to see where you can upgrade your lighting design.  Check that everything is in working order and adequate illumination is provided at all significant locations.

• Where there are large areas blanketed in darkness, consider installing a floodlight equipped with energy-efficient lamps and lighting controls.

• Equally important is to check for areas that are excessively bright. Overly bright outdoor lighting, including path lighting and patio lighting, creates glare and can actually make it harder to see at night and diminish safety and security.

Your landscape lighting should be soothing and comfortable.  Make sure that  landscape and outdoor fixtures do not cast light into your neighbors’ property.  Keep “light trespass” from invading your own home at night.

Step Four:  If you like to entertain outdoors—see that your property is safely lit for guests—pay attention to elevation levels and unusual dips or risings; boundaries defining rock gardens, Koi ponds, and small shrubs should be clearly visible.  Make sure you have enough ambient illumination for safe navigation, as well as sufficient task lighting for cooking and food preparation.

Step Five:  Lighting techniques, such as shadowing, silhouetting and cross lighting add artistry and depth to your landscape at night.  But do not overdo it.  Depending on the size of your property, select one to three key areas that will expand and complement your overall landscape lighting presentation.

• Conceal lights behind and below a statue or small tree to highlight form and create definition.

• Show off a sculpted garden,  a textured rock wall or a unique architectural feature of your home that will stand out at night.

Light responsibly.  Keep an eye on the safety.  Having top-quality outdoor lighting makes for the best “Neighborhood Watch Program.”

Light conservatively.  The most wonderful aspect of outdoor and landscape lighting is that you only need a few well-chosen light sources to deliver a great deal of illumination and an overall luxuriant feel to your home.  Compared to other home improvement projects, top quality landscape lighting adds substantially to the value of your property.

Light efficiently.  You will save money in the long run, if you invest in automated lighting systems and LED landscape lighting now.  For maintenance-free, durable, long-lasting illumination—buy your LED landscape lighting and automated control systems from a reputable dealer.

Top-quality LED landscape lighting fixture are built to last with finishes guaranteed to withstand harsh weather conditions; many come with life-time product warranties.

Find qualified lighting professionals and electricians.  Professional lighting consultants will help you design your landscape lighting to exact specifications with outdoor fixtures that are UL-listed for outdoor use; electricians, familiar with updated LED lighting systems, should be licensed and aware of current electrical codes and ordinances in your town or city.

Order your fixtures early, set the job up now with energy-efficient security lighting and luxurious landscape illumination to ensure you will be ready for summer holiday celebrations.

THE SEASON’S TOP PICS:

Gas prices are on the rise as is typical for the summer weather. That means your commute just got a little more expensive. It isn’t likely you will get a pay raise to compensate for the extra money you will be putting in your gas tank. You need to do something different. Electric cars are an option and are becoming increasingly more affordable. However, to maximize the investment in an electric car, you will want to consult a Los Angles electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

The standard Level I charger that is typically included in the price of an electric car or added into the total price for an extra fee. Unfortunately, if you plan on driving your electric car more than 30 miles before recharging it, your electric car will not be quite as economical as you thought. Level I chargers will take about 24 hours to fully your charge the car. Unless you will be leaving your car in the garage for a full day, possibly more, it will not get the chance to charge.

There is an option with the help of an electrician. Los Angeles electric car owners can get the most out of their electric cars by buying a Level II charging station. Level II stations can charge an electric car in as little as six hours depending on the model. The faster charging stations require a 240-volt outlet. This is why you need an electrician. The outlet is not a standard fixture in a garage or carport and will need to be specially installed by a certified electrician. Before the outlet can be installed, the electrician will need to inspect the existing electric panel to ensure there is enough power to run the charger. Do what you need to start saving money on your commute by giving The Electric Connection a call today and scheduling your appointment.