How many times have you looked at your electric bill and felt “dizzy”? Solar Energy For Residential applications can provide an incredible relief from this monthly occurrence. Costs for photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, have drastically decreased over the years making Solar Energy For Residential applications a much more viable solution. Now your Renewable Energy Electrician, ElectricMan Inc. is offering a solution that will be incredibly valuable for homeowners.

In conjunction with the Indoor Generator, which allows you to store your own produced energy and program it to use that electricity when you want it, whether it be in an emergency or to avoid peak usage charges, highly cost effective solar panels can be installed in areas that you may not have thought were possible. Whether you want a solar panel that is easily portable and storable, like these collapsible solar panels, a small solar panel for condos or apartments, or if you have room on your roof for stationary solar panels, Solar Energy For Residential applications can be flexible to nearly any situation.

Not only will solar energy lower electric bills, but it also allows you to do your part in reducing your carbon footprint on the environment, and start producing your own green renewable energy, increase your home’s value with its own electrical independence, and even start profiting by selling surplus energy back to the electric company depending on the application. Your children and your children’s children will appreciate the steps that you have taken to improve the environment that they will live in.

Another incredible value is the tax credit that the government has created for homeowners who install renewable energy solutions in their homes! The government is putting such an emphasis on green energy solutions, that if you install a system like Solar Energy For Residential applications, or any other renewable energy source in your home, the entire system is eligible for a 30% federal tax credit, making this solution even more cost effective than ever before. To be eligible for this tax credit, the system must be installed before December 31, 2016, but why wait?

You can start declaring your electrical independence now by contacting your local, Renewable Energy Electrician, ElectricMan Inc. to discuss Solar Energy For Residential applications. Visit our website at www.electricmaninc.com or call us at 972-792-7270!

It’s no secret that the lighting in a room can change the whole atmosphere of that space. From highlighting certain areas of the room to making rooms appear larger than they are, placement and type of lighting are integral to the interior design of your home.

When choosing indoor lighting, you’ll want to consider the color of your rooms, the room sizes, availability of natural light, and your furniture selection. These are all factors that our team can advise you one when you give us a call.

In general, darker color choices tend to make a room feel smaller and cramped, while light colors do the opposite. The illusion of space, for the most part, is defined by light reflecting off the surfaces of walls. So options such as track lighting or recessed lighting can do a lot to make a small room look bigger.

Perhaps it goes without saying that lighting needs to serve a purpose. Decorative lighting with no purpose won’t do much else than waste electricity. Think about this when choosing your lamps and lighting fixtures, as you may be attracted to a certain type, but perhaps it isn’t the best fit for the room you’ve intended it for.

Corner lamps, wall sconce lighting, and centrally hanging lights on a ceiling are all great for helping to brighten a room if natural lighting is not available. This helps create a visually larger space whether it’s a bedroom, office, kitchen, etc.

Another thing to consider is skylights or large windows if you want more natural light, or using sheer drapes and curtains rather than shutters to allow the maximum amount of light from your current windows. Of course, if these options aren’t available to you we can help you make the most of your lighting to create a similar effect.

Do your lights flicker regularly? When you turn on your dishwasher or any other heavy appliance, do your lights dim briefly? Not only is this frustrating, but it could be the sign of a more serious electrical issue. While most people simply tolerate flickering lights, it’s best to understand what can cause flickering lights and why it’s important to get it corrected as soon as possible!

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues! 

A flickering light can simply be caused by a loose or defective bulb. This is about the only cause of flickering that a homeowner should attempt to fix on their own. With the light turned off (and fully cooled!), gently remove the bulb from the socket and inspect it. The glass bulb should be firmly affixed to the metal base—if it wiggles in the base at all, it’s defective and needs to be replaced. If the bulb is good, screw it firmly into the socket and test it for flickering. If it still flickers, another problem exists.

If the lights flicker at a certain time, or at a regular interval, pay attention to your other electrical demands during that time. An HVAC unit, clothes dryer, or other large appliance can put a heavy demand on your electrical service. If the lights flicker when other appliances kick on, there may be a problem with the appliance or service wiring. This is more than a nuisance—increased current draw can cause wiring, connectors, and breakers to heat up, presenting a real risk of fire. Even without the risk of fire, appliances that have to struggle to draw power can suffer damage to motors and other expensive components.

Defective wiring is another common cause of flickering lights. Undersized breakers, loose connectors, or damaged wires can all cause intermittent current losses. If your home has a mixture of copper and aluminum wires, special connectors must be used where the two types of wires meet. If the wrong connectors were used, they can corrode, causing flickering and other problems. Any defects in your home’s wiring can create a risk of fire or electrocution, and can render safety features like breakers and GFCIs ineffective.

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues!

Tackling a few home improvement and maintenance projects yourself can be a great way to save money. However, there are certain jobs better left to the professionals—for the sake of your safety and security and so that you aren’t wasting money on projects you may not be able to successfully complete on your own.

The key to keeping costs down and keeping your home or building safe and secure is knowing which jobs make good DIY projects and which require a little more technical expertise—like electrical work. Working with electricity requires special training and skill. It’s far too dangerous for a novice to learn by him or herself.

There are many reasons it’s important to hire a licensed, professional electrician rather than attempt DIY electrical wiring. If not performed correctly, a do-it-yourself electrical repair can be dangerous and ineffective and can even lead to:

At Kolb Electric, we want your home to be both efficient and safe. That’s why we employ only the most qualified licensed electricians to complete your electrical work. We understand the potential dangers and know how to work with electricity safely.