Kolb Electric, here, and we wanted to discuss a fairly common topic we’ve noted with our patrons as of late. We’ve been getting a lot of “Is this normal?” Or “Is this a common problem?” questions on our projects and calls recently. This got us to thinking; maybe people would be interested in learning a bit about what electrical problems our Baltimore electricians encounter regularly.

What would we consider to be a fairly normal issue? And what would be an oddball? Answers to this and more today in:

No problem is ever “normal’, per se. That’s why it’s a problem! But there are certainly some issues we see regularly:

So why do we feel like it’s a good idea to clue you in on our most common repairs? Partially because information is fun, but mostly because problem is the key word here. Understanding that these common issues are indeed problems that should be looked into by our Baltimore electricians is important.

Any instance of poor wiring, flickering lights, under-maintained equipment or general electrical funny business should be addressed right away! Leaving them alone or ignoring them can be hazardous, or can lead to much larger electrical problems. So have them handled by a pro right away!

If you note any of the issues we mentioned today (or any other electrical problems), contact the certified Baltimore electricians at Kolb today! Our experts can have your electrical appliances and wiring in perfect working order in no time at all!

If you live in a sunny climate like we enjoy here in southern California, you might be considering adding solar panels to your home. Home solar arrays are becoming increasingly popular, but is it the right choice for you? Perhaps understanding the reasons to install solar panels might help you make up your mind. Here are a few of the reasons you should install solar panels now:

1. They’ve Never Been More Efficient – Solar panels are now far more efficient at converting solar energy, with at least 12 percent of the available solar energy on their surfaces converted into power. Combine that with dropping prices, now below $6 per megawatt, and the cost of investing in solar has never been lower.

2. Incentives and Tax Breaks – With a variety of federal, state and local incentives, you can now cut the low prices on solar even further. The federal government offers a credit of up to 30 percent off the cost of your system. Add the ample fiscal incentives offered in the state of California to create a truly winning proposition.

3. Stability During Climbing Energy Prices – Electricity climbs an average of five percent a year, while your solar panels will give you the same amount of energy every year, meaning that your saving actually grows with time.

4. Greater Property Value – More people are recognizing the value of solar panels and are looking for homes that have this built in power source. You can be sure that a solar array will add value to your home.

If those reasons aren’t quite enough, you’ll be convinced once you explore the possibility of solar leasing that gives you the potential to install and purchase a home with no money down. Not every home owner is eligible but if you are, you can enjoy growing savings at no initial cost. Call us today to see if you’re ready and qualified for solar leasing.

We’re excited to announce the addition of six new off-road LED light bars to our SBL series product line. The 12″, 30″, 50″ light bars are equipped with two rows of powerful LEDs that emit anywhere from 1,100 to 10,000 lumens depending on the length of the bar.  These heavy-duty light bars can be used for many applications, including off-road driving lights, daytime running lights, or fog lights on trucks, ATVs, or UTVs as well as for work lighting, industrial lighting, marine lighting, and tractor lighting.

LEDs in these light bars emit either a wide flood beam or a combination spot/flood beam pattern for focusing on long- and short-range distances simultaneously.

Just about everyone is looking for a way to cut down on energy costs and save their business money. Here are some ways to improve the energy efficiency in commercial buildings:

It might seem like common sense, but  most commercial buildings do not need to have their lights and air on at all times. If your building allows, and when it isn’t being used, make sure the energy system is turned off.

As the season changes, so should the temperature of the commercial building. To maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient temperature, set rooms to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months and 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter ones. Adjust rarely used spaces, like bathrooms, to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s important to remember to change the air filters in a commercial building to save energy. Paying attention to proper filter maintenance will help prevent wasting energy and overworking the equipment.

A room’s temperature, air movement and humidity affect energy efficiency a great deal.   Using fans can help reduce your business’ need to turn up the air conditioner as the fan moves the air around the room.

Not only does turning off the lights in areas that aren’t being used decrease the energy consumption in a building, but replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light globes or even better yet  LED or high efficiency fluorescent lamps can reduce the amount of heat in the room as well as save money.

Occupancy or vacancy sensors can also help reduce the time lights are on.  These sensors adjust accordingly when there is no movement in a room, shutting off the lights.  A full commercial Lighting Control System can keep your business from wasting energy through the monitoring of how light a room actually is and through daylight harvesting.

Being mindful of energy efficiency in commercial businesses means preventing energy waste in any way possible. Investing in energy efficient office electronics and equipment can lessen the amount of heat that’s emitted from these appliances. Turning off the equipment completely can help reduce savings as well.  Also purchasing equipment with features such as “energy saver” can help reduce energy use.

A large amount of heat is lost in the winter and gained in the summer through a building’s windows. In order to reduce this energy inefficiency, a commercial building can double-glaze their windows, or purchase thermal window coverings, if allowed.

As far as a long-term solution is concerned, insulating a commercial building can help lessen the amount of time and energy spent on cooling and heating systems. Insulating ceilings, walls, pipes and roof spaces can be incredibly useful. Energy efficient electricians can help.