Modern buildings, commercial spaces, and even homes increasingly implement advanced building automation and control technology to improve energy efficiency, user comfort, and extend the life cycles of equipment.

At the core of any building automation system, or BAS, remains a central computing hub. This is where software processes the variety of signals it receives from connected sensors, switches, and user inputs. In a typical home, a Wi-Fi network connects devices wirelessly. Further, it will often connect them to the internet, allowing remote access from any web-connected device.

The only real difference between homeowner systems and commercial applications is scale. A large building can have many more devices and sensors connected, but the core function remains the same. The primary focus of commercial systems, however, is energy efficiency over user convenience.

In a large building or factory, even a small percentage of energy savings can have a huge benefit, not only in lower utility costs but also in reductions of CO2 emissions. With an efficient BAS, a building can attain a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, which is a measure of energy efficiency and low environmental impact in building design.

As technology advances, the potential risks grow for building automation. Each day, more devices become connected to the internet. This is now referred to as the “Internet of Things”. The ease and convenience increases, but so does the potential reward for hackers. Anything controlled by the user or by software could potentially be taken over by a malicious hacker.

It is vital that digital security remains a priority, especially in a home setting. Many smart devices are not as secure as they may seem and are often only as secure as the home’s Wi-Fi network. Some good first steps include changing your Wi-Fi network’s password to something unique. Use the latest encryption protocols and enable MAC address filtering, which allows only devices specifically approved to connect to the network.

Building automation systems will continue to grow in ability and convenience. As long as the potential risks are managed, the possibilities for energy efficiency and user comfort remain nearly endless.

Investing in a home is no easy feat; it requires extensive planning and saving, not to mention patience. But at the end of the day, you will be happy that you made the decision. Because you’ve invested substantial time, money, and energy into make your home a place of solace, it’s important to ensure it’s safe and up to code. This is where we come in.

Every electrical company is going to be different, from the service electricians who come to your home to the quality of service they provide, and of course, to the types of services they provide. Make sure you choose a company who will always have your safety and best interest in mind at all times.

Should you elect to join our home protection membership for $9.95 per month, here are the VIP benefits you will reap:

Remember that peace of mind we mentioned earlier? Well, here it is! We understand the value of being able to rest easy knowing that no matter what, someone is always there to pull through for you and your family. Joining our home protection membership means having constant peace of mind.  Need first-rate service fast? We’ve got you covered with same-day service. Want competitive pricing? With our discount repair and replacement services, you’re guaranteed a cheaper price. We’ve always got your back – that’s a promise.

Now that it is time to take down the holiday lights, you probably have realized how dark your yard really is without the benefit of the twinkling lights and various yard decorations. With the days very short and the nights long, you will likely want to have some outdoor lighting installed. This is something a Santa Monica electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you with. Outdoor lighting isn’t just for summer. It is a useful tool year round and can provide an element of safety and security to your home as well as aesthetically appealing.

During these short winter days, it is a good idea to consider electric outdoor lighting over the solar variety. Because of the limited amount of sun available during the winter, the solar lights do not always get a full charge and are either very dim or fade out in the early hours when it is still dark outside leaving your landscaping under a cloak of darkness. The electric lights are much more reliable and give you a little more freedom in placing the lights in your landscaping.

It is best if you have the electric lights installed by an electrician. Santa Monica residents will appreciate a professional handling the wiring of the lights. This will give you peace of mind the job is done right and you won’t have to worry about electrical shorts or hazards being created when the lights are hooked into your home’s main power. One popular option many homeowners choose is the installation of a timer that will automatically turn the lights off and on at a designated time. You won’t have to worry about remembering to turn them off or on. If you are ready to dress up your landscaping this winter, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your landscape lighting installation.

Since 1980, the GFCI building code requirements have expanded. Previously only used on construction sites, GFCI’s are now required in many different rooms of your home, especially those with moisture – washrooms, kitchens, pool areas, etc.

The GFCI monitors the input and output levels being passed through an outlet. If there is a slight difference in the current being transferred from the hot outlet to the neutral outlet, then the device will quickly cut off the power supply to prevent damage or injury. A GFCI can detect changes in current supply as minor as a few millamps. GFCI’s are a simply advancement in technology that could potentially save lives or prevent injury to your family.

If you need assistance installing a GFCI or determining the appropriate rooms to upgrade your outlet to a GFCI outlet, please contact Expert Electric. 604-681-8338

Outlets are wired into your home to make it convenient to plug in anything from an appliance to a lamp. However, an electrical fault can occur endangering your home. It’s not a good idea to have 19 different appliances plugged into a single outlet. This can cause a short; not to mention the maze of cords running through the room aren’t safe for family and pets.

Sometimes electrical faults in your system can cause a ceiling light or fan to stop working. After identifying that a bad bulb is not the culprit, you should turn off the power and inspect the light fixture itself. Check the cable and flex connections and make sure the terminal screws are tight. Use a continuity tester to make sure the flex hasn’t gone bad requiring a replacement.

Lights, fans, and other fixtures can also stop working because a residual current device has tripped. You can reset the device but if it trips again it’s best to call in a certified electrician.

If you are still experiencing problems after doing these simple troubleshooting tasks, it’s always best to call in a trained electrician. Outlets or lights that are malfunctioning could be caused by exposed wires somewhere in your electrical system. If your circuit breaker continually trips, it means the current in your home is not cycling as it’s intended. Either way, it’s much safer to have these issues repaired by a good electrician.