Are you having problems with some of the outlets in your home? While actually trying to repair an electrical outlet on your own can be dangerous, you can at least diagnose many of the most common electrical outlet problems. Before you call Kolb Electric, see if you can pinpoint the problem by trying the following steps.

If you were trying to plug something into the outlet and it wasn’t working, try plugging it in somewhere else. If it works, it’s likely a problem with the outlet. If it still doesn’t work, the problem is with the device itself.

Look for any wall switches and turn them on. If the appliance works after flipping the switch, you shouldn’t have any further problems.

Check other outlets near the dead one. If any more don’t work, mark them with tape.

Unplug everything from nearby outlets to eliminate the possibility of a short or overload.

Make sure the circuit breaker isn’t tripped. The circuit breaker will be located in the breaker box, usually in the garage, basement, or kitchen. To see if it is tripped, open the box and see if any of the breakers are in the RESET or OFF position. If they are, turn the appliance off, switch the breaker back into the ON position, then try to device again.

Check for blown fuses. To do this, turn off the main switch and use a flashlight to see if any of the fuses are burnt or blackened.

If the dead outlet is a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), try to find out if there’s any reason it may be tripping. GFCIs shut off power to outlets when they detect a leak in electrical current, so if they continue to trip after being reset, there could be a dangerous current leak that requires an electrician’s attention.

If you have dead outlets in your home, or if you need electrical troubleshooting in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!

Electric cars are on their way to surpassing your fuel guzzler this year. Check out the latest line-up of electric cars paving the way for 2015. From best-value to the best sports car, electric vehicles are now available for every driver.

At $26,000, the Chevrolet Spark Electric Vehicle (EV) offers a great value in the lower price range. With greater horsepower and torque, this EV provides better steering and speed topping off at 90 mph. When charged, Chevrolet Spark’s battery power results in 82 miles. A great choice for first-time buyers, the Chevrolet Spark EV is a solid buy.

If you need a car for long distance driving, The Tesla Model S goes the distance. In a single battery charge, this EV can drive up to 270 miles. This impressive mileage classifies the Tesla S as the longest driving electric car up to date. At $75,000 the Tesla S is considered the best EV up to date. With the Tesla S, you can finally take that road trip without the fear of battery life.

Perfect for short distance driving, the Fiat 500E is a compact choice for your electric car. Sold for $32,000, the Fiat 500E is suitable for stop-and-go traffic due to its agility. It’s also great for parallel parking, being able to maneuver rapidly into tight spaces. The Fiat 500E is a top pick for those who drive primarily to and from work.

The BMW i3 is unique because of its carbon-fiber make-up rather than the conventional steel. The use of carbon-fiber material makes the BMW i3 lighter and faster, driving at zero to 60 in seven seconds. This EV also contains a range extender, pushing the amount of miles driven from a single charge from 81 miles to 150 miles. It is extremely energy efficient and overall the most innovative of electric cars. BMW i3’s are sold for $43,000, a reasonable price for its quality and worth.

One of the most spacious electric vehicles, the Toyota Rav4 can fit a family of five and has a large trunk to fit all of your gear. This SUV also delivers an impressive range of 103 miles per charge and a horsepower of 154. Relatively fast with a zero to 60 in 7.6 seconds, the Toyota Rav4 is a good comparison to the Tesla S but with the advantage of the much cheaper price of $50,000.

Luxury cars aren’t exclusive to gas-powered vehicles. The BMW i8 is the winner of the 2015 World Green Car Award. Cruising at a top speed of 155 mph and reaching 60 miles in about 4.2 seconds, the BMW i8 is an impressive luxury hybrid vehicle selling at an estimated $137,000. The sleek design, shark grille, and swan doors are sure to turn heads.

The Tesla Roadster is a gorgeous driving machine with 400 miles of driving range. Labeled as the Tesla 3.0, it is the highest quality of Tesla electric cars. Improvements include the battery, which has 30% more energy than previous models. The tires have also been upgraded, resulting in excellent traction for cruising down the highway in style.

A cheaper option for electric cars is the Ford Focus Electric. It is sold for less than $30,000 and boasts 76 miles after fully charging. With a faster charging battery of 3.5 hours and newer gadgets and tech, this stylish electric vehicle is another popular choice for electric car buyers.

On the other hand, a more expensive choice is the Volkswagen e-Golf. Although the Volkswagen e-Golf sells for $35,000, it stands out as the third most efficient EV in the United States. It also gets drivers’ attention for handling like a gas-powered car due to its steady power.

Toyota is leading the way for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The main difference between electric cars and fuel cell electric cars is the source of energy. FCEV’s are charged with hydrogen rather than a battery. This change allows FCEV’s to drive for 300 miles on a single five minute charge alone. Hydrogen charging stations have made a rise across the nation, and there is even one located at UT.

Anticipation is on the rise for the upgraded Tesla Model X along with new EV and hybrid models for Audi and Cadillac. With the majority of car brands implementing electric cars, hybrid vehicles, or FCEV’s into their line-up, owning an EV is more accessible than ever. With a wide price range from the every day to going the distance, electric cars are most definitely in the forefront of transportation today.

To power your car find a charging station near you. To power your home request an appointment today from Bryant Electric Service.

Love is in the air, which has gotten me to thinking about lighting. (Come to think of it, what time of year doesn’t do that?) If Valentine’s Day always gives you a hankering to pop Gone With the Wind or your favorite rom-com into the DVD player, have you ever thought about what goes into making those romantic films?

Color temperature is one of the first things to note when studying the lighting in a romantic scene. Is it orange? Bluish? White? Most often, warm colors add to an inviting, romantic atmosphere. For example, the warm light in this sunset scene in Titanic draws the audience in, unlike the cold, blue lighting later in  the movie, after things get dire.

2. Brightness (and Shadow)

You can judge the quality of light in a film scene through the hardness or softness of its shadows. Hard quality light has dark shadows with sharp edges, and often feels more raw than soft quality light. Soft lighting, often used in older films, has lighter, diffused shadows and tends to feel more sentimental. If you’ve seen Casablanca, you know what I mean.

Of course, there are always exceptions to these rules.

Cool lighting can still be quite romantic in the right setting. Like in this still from The Notebook:

And with advances in film technology, sharp shadows can also be quite romantic. Case in point, this still from the end of the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice:

Early in the month, American Airlines Flight 1420 crashed near Little Rock, AK. This crash, along with a few others that took place soon before and after, inspired research into the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation on pilot safety.

3) A Whole, Whole Lot of Drug Money

In June 1999, George Bush announced his candidacy for the office of President of the United States of America. So much was about to change in our culture during the next 8 years.

5) Lord Stanley’s Cup

via www.moviesonline.ca6

In June 1999, Stephen King got hit by a car and was flung 14 feet while walking on the shoulder of a road in Maine. What’s the name of that Stephen King book about the car? Oh yeah, Christine. Any connection? You never know. But I’m sure King was thankful Kathy Bates didn’t find him after the accident.

7) The Weird Looking Predecessor of the MacBook Is Born

That mildly annoying yet overall charming goofball Austin Powers (Mike Myers’s colorful character) graced the cover of Rolling Stone in June 1999, exuberantly celebrating the sequel to the original Austin Powers blockbuster smash hit. Smashing, baby!

9) Adam Sandler Tones It Down a Little

The universe’s hippest couple, who, of course played in a rock band together, hit the popular scene with their debut album in June 1999. Then, they became insanely famous. And then, thirteen thousand two-piece rock bands, featuring only guitar and drums, were born. I think now, 15 years later, we are finally beginning to see the decline in that questionable trend. Bass matters, people.

11) That Kid from Walking Dead Was Born

Venus and Serena Williams, two twin females from a socioeconomically disadvantaged place, won the Grand Slam female doubles event for the first time. They were the second sister team to win a Grand Slam event since 1890. This is the kind of thing that just makes you smile. These are some of the best ever to play the sport.

13) MORE TENNIS!