Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer who feels confident in most household chores, or you are clueless about most household tasks, it makes sense to learn the basics when it comes to electricity. While you will want to contact an electrician in Santa Monica (Click Here), such as one from The Electric Connection, for any direct electrical work, you can at least have a better idea about the basics and be able to have a conversation when the electrician Santa Monica comes out to take care of your electrical repairs or installation. Learning these basic electrican terms is a great way to broaden your understanding of electricity.

More than 47,000 house fires in the U.S. are caused by faulty electrical work and wiring each year. Modern living has placed many more demands on the average home’s electrical system than were ever imagined just a few short decades ago. Computer systems, gaming systems, large appliances, and smart systems all draw a lot of electricity and can easily overload a circuit that wasn’t designed for that kind of demand. However, increased electrical demand is just one of several reasons to update your home’s electrical system.

1. Your home is more than 30 years old. Your home doesn’t have to be a century home to have outdated wiring. If it was built before 1985, it’s a good idea to have your old electrical wiring evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor.

2. You frequently trip the breaker or blow the fuse. If you frequently have to reset the circuit breakers in your main electrical control box or replace the fuses, it’s likely a sign that at least one of your electrical circuits cannot handle the demand for power.

3. You need extension cords. If you need extension cords to plug in a desk lamp or (worse) your electronics, you probably don’t have enough wall outlets in your rooms. Older homes often only have one or two outlets per room, less than is needed by most households.

4. Your lights dim or flicker when an appliance turns on. If the lights in your room dim when the furnace kicks in or the refrigerator cycles, this can also be a sign that your old electrical wiring may not be able to safely power your home.

5. Your outlets are discolored. Discolored outlets can also be an indication of unsafe surges in power.

Leaving old electrical wiring in place can be dangerous for you and your family. If you have encountered any of the above situations, it’s a good idea to have an experienced electrical contractor evaluate your home’s wiring.

Kolb Electric has been helping Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC homeowners with all their electrical needs for 90+ years. We have a full staff of licensed electricians with experience on major projects like home rewiring.

Call us at 877 287-1179 to schedule an appointment today.

With the cool nights upon us, you have probably pulled out the space heater already. Maybe you get chilled when you are at your desk or sitting in your favorite chair. Sometimes, you just need a little concentrated heat blowing on you to take that chill off. Space heaters are an excellent option when you need extra heat in a room or don’t want to turn on the furnace for a little bit. However, there are some things you should know about space heater safety. Your electrician in Pasadena has some tips to make sure you are using your space heater safely. If you have any more questions about what you should be doing, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Before you plug your heater in, give it a quick inspection. Make sure mice didn’t chew the cord while you had it stored away over the summer. Any type of damage to the cord is a problem that should be looked at by an electrician. Pasadena residents can skip the electrical repair and buy a new one, which is often more cost effective. Wrapping a damaged cord with electrical tape is not always a good idea. It is better to be safe than take chances.

When you are placing your heater for usage, make sure you leave at least 3 feet between the heater and any furniture, the walls or drapes. Run the cord along a wall and out of direct foot traffic. If you don’t have an outlet near the area you need the heater, consider having one installed by a Pasadena electrician. You can use an extension cord, but you will want to make sure the cord is not run across a pathway either. You don’t want the cord becoming loose and it possibly sparking against the carpet. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you need an outlet installed or have any additional questions.

LED light bulbs and fixtures are the best alternatives for many reasons.

LED lights are available in several shades of white. These shades are referred to as a bulb’s correlated color temperature (National Institute of General Medical Sciences, states that, “Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment.”

According to writes, “Several studies have documented the importance of light in reducing depression, decreasing fatigue, improving alertness, modulating circadian rhythms, and treating conditions such as hyperbilirubinemia among infants. Further, the presence of windows in the workplace and access to daylight have been linked with increased satisfaction with the work environment.” Windows are the best method of accessing daylight, but cool white LED lights along with the right color temperatures at the right times, can have the same effect on the body.

Warmer color temperatures lead to the release of melatonin, which causes drowsiness. This is appropriate during bedtime hours, but causes problems for those who need to stay awake, such as overnight nurses and doctors. Introducing natural or cool white light to hallways, operating rooms, and nurse stations can help hospital staff, especially overnight workers, feel more alert and energetic.

EPA has a list of cleanup procedures, such as having everyone leave the room, opening a doors or windows, shutting off heat and air-conditioning systems, and other specific instructions.

Fluorescent and incandescent bulbs also emit low doses of UV radiation that can damage not only facility materials but can also damage skin and eyes. According to a CBSLA.com discusses the results of another study that had similar findings. In this article, it is said that, “. . . exposure to the (fluorescent) bulbs could lead to premature aging and cancer.”

Continued UV exposure is also harmful to the eyes. A LED lights won’t flicker or emit any color spikes. Color fluctuations and flicker can cause negative effects, such as headaches and dizziness. When used for hospital lighting, LED bulbs and fixtures can improve overall health and eliminate the possibility of additional health risks posed by fluorescent and incandescent bulbs.

Seeing colors as they truly are is critical in health care environments. Inaccurate color rendering of skin or blood could lead to a misdiagnosis or failure to see signs of infection or jaundice. The spectral graph below can be helpful in understanding the advantage of high-CRI light sources. Lights with a low CRI will show fewer colors while high-CRI lights cover more of the spectrum. A light source’s ability to show more colors increases its accuracy in revealing the true colors of people, objects, and surroundings.

FreemanWhite, a health-care-focused design firm reports, “. . .light fixtures with a high CRI . . .  help caregivers assess rashes, lesions, and skin pigmentation.” They go on to say, “In the interest of avoiding liability claims, better lighting quality can enhance a caregiver’s ability to diagnose correctly, identify reactions, prevent secondary infections, and minimize readmissions.” High-CRI LED lights can also help prevent medication errors.

Another method of LED hospital lighting control is the use of occupancy sensors. These sensors will save money beyond those that result from reduced energy consumption. Sensors will also extend the life span of bulbs and fixtures even further by turning them off when no one is in the area. These sensors are best suited for low-traffic areas.

Have you ever been worried that your Washington, DC electrician might be scamming you? It’s certainly not one of our favorite topics, but the fact remains that it does happen. There are people out there posing as trained professionals that would love nothing more than to take your money, and give nothing at all in return.

At Kolb Electric, our experts are the real deal, and we’ve learned a thing or two about spotting shysters. We never want any of our consumers to encounter a situation where they have to deal with a scammer. So we’ve built a list of the most common signs that you might be getting cheated!

Need a reputable Washington, DC electrician? Contact us! We’re fully licensed, insured, and have more than 90 years of experience!

Washington, DC electrician scams often follow specific patterns. They’re awful, because they exist. But at least they’re predictable! Here are some telltale signs of a scam:

When it comes to getting reliable, effective service, communication is absolutely key. You need all information on clear, understandable terms. This means get everything in writing, and ensure you understand all aspects of the project. It doesn’t matter if it’s as small as a minor outlet replacement, or as large as home rewiring, be sure you’re working with a pro!

Kolb has been offering dependable, guaranteed service to the Maryland and DC areas for years. We never want to hear that one of our valued patrons has had to deal with a rogue element when seeking electrical assistance!

If you need the fast, effective service of a professional, certified Washington, DC electrician, contact Kolb!