The United States has three main power grids: The Eastern and Western Interconnection, which each service multiple states, and Texas, which gets an independent power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, handles 85 percent of the state’s power needs, producing and distributing electricity to 23 million people.

But, why does Texas need its own grid?

Slate reports that during World War II, Texas was home to many factories required for critical supplies. The electrical planners didn’t want to depend on energy coming in from other states, so they used the abundant natural resources to set up a grid specifically for Texas. Even today, this state requires a massive amount of electricity to keep the industrial sector powered, so it makes sense to have a dedicated grid.

Texas has a strong culture of self-sufficiency, which had an influence on the development of its own energy grid. It does have links to the other interconnections, which get used during particularly high demand periods. Unusually hot summers or long heat waves can sometimes lead to Texas importing energy, so the air conditioners keep going strong.

The utility companies governed by the ERCOT typically do not sell energy outside state lines. This configuration allows Texas to set most of its own rules and regulations, as opposed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission setting oversight in place. State regulators can make decisions that make the most sense for their residents, rather than making adjustments based on the needs of multiple states.

Texas has the space and natural resources needed to produce inexpensive electricity for residents and businesses. These costs fall below the national average. Renewable energy sources, such as wind-powered electricity, are moving Texas to more environmentally friendly options.

However, inexpensive energy does have a downside. Population growth in Austin is significant, thanks to startups, tech companies and other businesses moving into the area. Google Fiber also plays a role in bringing in more people. The energy grid needs to adapt to the rising amount of individuals who call Texas home, but electricity companies have less of an incentive to build in Texas compared to states with higher energy costs.

Contact Bryant Electric Service to make sure you’re getting the most out of the Texas Power grid and take back your energy today!

Upgrades to your home are a part of life. It can be fun and exciting to add a new feature to your home. It is easy for things to get stale or boring when you have lived in the same home for a long time. You can spice things up by adding a few new upgrades to your home that are easy and inexpensive. In fact, some of the upgrades can actually save you money.

Electrical upgrades should always be handled by a qualified electrician. Santa Monica residents can rely on The Electric Connection’s skilled professionals to handle any job, big or small. An inexperienced person should never attempt to handle electricity. The safety concerns are too great. Always hire a professional.

Light Fixtures

Updating light fixtures can give your home a whole new look, while saving money at the same time. There are numerous ideas you can incorporate into your space to liven it up depending on your wants and needs. Recessed and track lighting tend to be the most popular choices and are relatively inexpensive.

Ceiling Fan

Adding a ceiling fan to a bedroom or living area is also an ideal way to help cut your electric bill while adding comfort to your home. Most ceiling fans are equipped with lights and can replace an existing light fixture. These are great for circulating the air during the stuffy summer months and moving the warm air throughout the home during the cooler months.

Install Bath Fan

A bath fan is essential to keeping wood-damaging moisture at bay in the bathroom, which is prone to mildew and mold growth due to the damp conditions. Today’s market includes numerous styles and varieties that include lights and heaters.

If you are interested in giving your home a bit of a facelift without undergoing a major remodel, call your electrician in Santa Monica today. The Electric Connection is here to serve you and would love to speak with you about your upgrade needs.

With the evolution of energy-efficient LED lighting came an endless source of creative costume ideas. Small, cool & colorful lights now come in portable, battery-operated packages where the only thing stopping you is your imagination! This Halloween season, we’ve rounded up a handful of our favorite costume creations using a variety of light sources.

Mutant Cyborg Halloween Pumpkin

Part robot, part pumpkin, this crafty mutation is all ingenuity.

Glowy Zoey 

When Royce Hutain filmed and published this short clip of his daughter in her new home-made costume, it was an overnight sensation, even generating a call from the Jimmy Kimmel show. Hutain didn’t invent the LED light costume, so why the sudden fame? Maybe it’s the toddler waddle, all lit up in it’s glory. Or maybe it’s the chuckle of the gratified parents trying to keep the camera steady that just makes us crack up. Whatever it is, it’s absolutely brilliant. You can So Sew Easy

Any little girl can feel like a Princess with this delightful little light-up dress by light-up fairy wings! 

Jawa Costume

The poor Jawa, always back burner to the cool Jedi costume with LED Lightsabers, finally gets his turn in the spotlight in an adorable get-up complete with glowing eyes made out of orange LEDs. Make your own with this via via string lights.

Littlest Firefly

Air flow is obviously a very big part of forced air systems. Without air flow, the entire system doesn’t work. It’s just producing heat and not sending it anywhere. It is precisely that issue that can cause a great deal of damage to your heating system. There are a couple of different ways that your heating system can be prevented from circulating air, but we’re going to focus on one: the air filter. Let’s take a look at what the air filter does, and how it can create air flow issues that lead to call FB Electrical Services. We provide heating repair throughout Boston.