A gentleman named Houston sent me this. What do you think about it? Does it apply to electricians in Los Angeles and around the Untied States?

We are nearing a renaissance of electrical contracting. Software Advice, a website that reviewselectrical estimating software, thinks the electrician will soon transition into an “energy contractor” to meet demand of the growing green construction market. This growth is being fueled by increased adoption of green and renewable energy technologies among homeowners and corporations.

Who will be there to retrofit these buildings? Electrical contractors will play a major role in these upgrades. However, they’ll need to “green” their skill set in order to take advantage of opportunities.

To start, electricians should get versed on electric- and energy-related LEED credits. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to rate green buildings. LEED projects are growing just as fast as the rest of the green construction market, so this is one of the areas electricians will be able to “cash in.”

Additionally, electricians should consider becoming a LEED accredited professional (AP). A LEED AP is a certification given to individuals once they pass an AP exam. The credential signifies an advanced depth of knowledge in green building practices. LEED projects get an extra point for having an AP on the job, which could be a selling-point when bidding on jobs.

To read more, visit: The Coming Renaissance of Electrical Contracting

One of the most devastating things that can happen to your business is an extended loss of power. Without power, you lose valuable business hours and revenue. Business interruptions of this nature are not necessary though, even if it’s the result of a strong snowstorm.

Being well-equipped with a quality commercial generator is essential to keeping your business running effectively and efficiently during a severe power outage. Understandably, you may have questions before purchasing such a system. We’ve tackled a couple of our most frequently asked below.

Every commercial property is different, and therefore your needs will be different as well. Your generator will be sized on the electrical load that it will be tasked with carrying. The actual square footage of your building does not play a factor in this, as it would for an HVAC system or commercial water heater.

Your new generator must meet your specific requirements so that it’s able to do its job without accumulating undue stress on the unit or damage to the devices connected to it. Accurate sizing involves a number of factors and considerations, which our service professionals are happy to assist you with.

If your commercial generator is well-maintained and used properly, then it will run as long as fuel is being supplied to it. How often it needs to be refueled will depend on what type of tank you have. Some commercial generators are supplied with a 24-hour fuel tank, although 48-72 hour fuel tanks are also available.

Additionally, unless your business or commercial space deals with food that could spoil, it’s recommended that you turn your generator off during non-business hours so that the engine can cool. This is particularly helpful during long power outages as it helps your system avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

If you were gifted electronics for Christmas, it’s time to ensure their protection! The last thing you want is for your new computer, tablet, HD television, or gaming system to take on destructive surges, rendering it useless. Spare yourself the heartache of losing an expensive electronic gadget by using surge protectors.

Anything that has a plug is susceptible to surges. In fact, surges happen all the time, you just don’t know it. Not every surge has the capacity to fry your electronics and appliances right then, however, even small surges can shorten their lifespans.

Simply put, an electrical surge is a brief spike in the current, lasting less than a thousandth of a second. But don’t let its fleeting personality fool you, as a surge can be detrimental.

There are numerous reasons as to why you’re experiencing electrical surges. Large appliances such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, or even a space heater, when turned on, can cause a surge capable of damaging your electronics.

Find yourself scratching your head over what kind of gifts to bring your friends, family or loved ones this holiday season? The experts at Kolb Electric may not have all of the answers you’re looking for, but we may have a few solid suggestions! Allow us the opportunity to take the sting out of gift giving this season with one of our personal favorites: Smart Home Technology. A smart technology gift is sure to put you at the top of the gifting pyramid.

Smart Tech is a very broad term that includes any electrical installation that improves your control over your home. This can be done with remotes, control panels, and even your phone! Smart technology gifts can be applied to virtually any electrical installation in your home. This means lights, sound, HVAC systems, security and even certain appliances (Smart coffee pots are a miracle).

So what does smart technology have to do with the exchanging of gifts? Well, what better gift than one that has a positive impact on the receiver’s everyday life? Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

A lot of these fancy gadgets and awesome device need expert installation to work properly. We can provide the very best in electrical installation and services, and the expertise of our certified specialists is second to none. Contact Kolb Electric today to learn more about our installation services!

About 80% of dwellings were built before the year 1990. While they may have complied with the safety standards at the time of construction, those standards might not be relevant in today’s day and age. Significant changes were made in electrical standards since 1990 and the protection technologies of today were not available or required back then. You must ensure that the standards maintained in such existing accommodations are raised to the electrical safety levels of the current standards.

Understanding the Risks at Existing Accommodation

Extensive safety studies must be carried out in the existing residential buildings to determine the disparity between the required safety standards and the existing safety standards. If the existing standards fall a little short, you must show an urgency to raise the level of safety of these buildings and bring them up to the current standards.

Thankfully, it isn’t too complicated or difficult to do so. You can take small steps to gradually improve the electrical safety through a program of manual safety audits.

3 Ways Current Safety Standards Help in Reducing Electrical Risks

Importance of Verification

The current electrical standards ensure that the new residential electrical installations are safe and that they remain so over their entire lifetime. IEC 60364-6 defines both initial verification of an installation as well as verification of residential dwellings every 10 years. The periodic verification ensures that the fundamental protective measures remain active and reliable.

Recommended Periodic Auditing

There must be periodic auditing to ensure that the safety conditions are up to the mark. The audits need to be simple and based on visual checks. They need to be performed by a qualified auditor, who can then inform the owner of any possible safety issues. The owner will then take responsibility for arranging any necessary repair work. The frequency of inspection can be defined by each country, either by a specific period (e.g., 10 years), or triggered by an event such as the sale or rental of a dwelling.