You probably love the idea you are getting something around 40 miles to the gallon with your electric car. It certainly saves you a lot of money on gas as well as the time it takes to head to the gas station every few days. What more could you want from your electric car? How about a way to make sure your car is always charged and ready for your busy schedule? An electrician in Santa Monica can help you do that by installing the necessary electrical outlet you need to power one of the faster charging stations. The team at The Electric Connection has the experience you need when it comes to dealing with something so important.

Let’s face it, electric cars are fabulous when they are charged and have enough juice to get you around during the day. Unfortunately, in order for those cars to have enough charge to do so, you would have to leave them plugged in for almost 24 hours. In your busy life, you don’t have time to sit and wait for the car to get fully charged, which means you are likely relying on gas from time to time.

With the help of an electrician familiar with Santa Monica electrical needs, you can use a faster charging station that will have your car ready to go and fully charged in about 8 hours. That certainly sounds more appealing to the person who is always on the go. In order to run one of these faster chargers, you will need to have a 240-volt outlet available to plug the charger into. This is where your electrician comes in. The necessary outlet can be installed in your garage or carport as long as your electrical panel can support it. In some cases, you may need an electrical panel upgrade. Give The Electric Connection a call today and ask about getting your home ready for the faster charging station.

When you have a young child running around the house, safety is your number one concern. There are hazards everywhere and electricity is one threat that can go unseen. Electrical shock can cause burns, stop your heartbeat and breathing, as well as cause loss of consciousness. Make your home a safe place for your child with these electrical precautions.

Unused electrical outlets are easy access for children trying to stick things into them. If one of those items is made of metal, it can cause serious injury to the child as well as the socket. Use safety plugs to cover up holes and prevent any mishaps.

As with adults, it’s important that there are no electrical devices around areas with water, like the sink or bathtub. By bumping a radio or phone into a sink or tub that the child is in, it could cause serious shock and injury. Also after bath time, make sure your child is completely dry before letting them loose. If they come into contact with any unsecure electrical cords or devices, the water will create an unpleasant shock.

Don’t leave disconnected electrical devices, such as a hairdryer or iron, in the on position when they are not being used. If your child has the urge to put the cord in their mouth, there may be a residual electrical charge that could cause injury.

When unplugging electronics and appliances, don’t simply pull the plug out and leave it on the ground. Children can play with the cords and the tampering can result in an electric shock. Wrap up your cords when you’re done and place them out of reach for little hands. In addition, secure all cords so they are not loose for a child to trip over or pull at.

Electricity is useful in our everyday lives but can also be very dangerous. To keep your children safe, take the necessary precautions to secure your house from any electrical hazards that they could come in contact with. It is better to be safe then sorry.

With studies today showing how harmful internal combustion engines can be to the environment, it’s little wonder that the electric car is becoming a more popular option among consumers. Not only do gasoline powered cars contribute to pollution, but extracting and processing the oil needed by these cars causes pollution and contamination as well. The hybrid market is beginning to heat up, especially as many people begin to realize that benefits that these vehicles have to offer. If you’re considering the purchase of an electric car, here are several of the top benefits you can enjoy.

Benefit #1 – Environmentally Friendly

One of the main benefits of going with an electric hybrid vehicle is that these vehicles are environmentally friendly. These vehicles produce no waste, eliminating problems like carbon monoxide pollution. Internal combustion engines allow waste to permeate the air by releasing chemicals through the vehicle’s tailpipe. Electric vehicles don’t even have a tailpipe and will not create pollution to the environment.

Benefit #2 – Energy Efficient

If you’re interested in energy conservation, you’ll find that an electric car has the benefit of being energy efficient. Energy is consumed in an efficient manner within these cars. Approximately 75% of the energy from the batteries is converted into energy. On the opposite side, traditional engines lose about 80% of the energy that comes from the fuel.

Benefit #3 – Reduces Dependence on Oil

You’ll also find that an electric car has the benefit of reducing dependence on oil as well. Much of the gasoline used for internal combustion engines is imported in from other countries, making these vehicles reliant on foreign oil. Many feel that dependence on foreign oil is a natural security problem, not just an environmental one. Cars that run on electricity get the electricity needed from the car’s batteries. While hybrids may use some gasoline, they are not fully dependent on the oil imported from other countries.

Benefit #4 – Provides Savings

Those who purchase and use an electric car can enjoy money saving benefits too. Although the initial investment may seem more expensive, tax credits and lowered long-term expenses actually provide savings in the long run.

Benefit #5 – Great Performance

Electric vehicles today can offer great performance as well. Electric engines have fewer moving parts, which makes them less likely to have a problem. This lowers maintenance costs and provides users with a smooth and efficient driving experience.

It’s easy to see that the electric car provides some excellent benefits to consumers today. These benefits can be maximized by having an electrical charging station installed at your home as well. Professional electric companies install these charging stations, which make it easier to keep your electric vehicle charged. With installation of a quality charging station, you can enjoy faster and more efficient charge times, making the most of your hybrid vehicle.

Choosing the right size depends on the level of energy independence that a renewable energy owner wants. It may simply boil down to what you can afford. These levels range from 100 percent or completely off the grid (the most costly), to a simple energy backup for emergencies.

100% energy independence or completely off the grid: this requires a huge investment in terms of generation and storage. In addition, it may require other power sources such as fossil fuels or wind generators.

High energy independence: This requires a solar system with enough batteries to last a few days or even through the winter. PV systems are sized to enable the owner to have surplus energy to store during summer and be self-sufficient through winter without relying too much on the grid. The customer will still rely on the grid for backup just in case there are prolonged days of bad weather.

Summertime independence: Customer installs just enough panels and storage capacity to get through a normal summer day but will have to draw power from the grid during the winter.

Peak time independence: Battery size should be large enough to supply power during peak times when electricity rates are highest.

Reduced reliance on the grid during peak times: Some customers cannot afford to install enough storage to cover their entire peak time usage. In such a case, some will install a system that will enable them to at least reduce part of their grid usage during these times.

Emergency power backup: This requires smaller energy storage, enough to cover a short power outage. Some customers use this together with fuel generators. Battery storage is only required for the short duration from the time grid power goes out, to when the alternative power becomes available.

Even though a solar energy system is a great investment that reduces your electricity bills, it is not possible to completely get off the grid without investing in large storage systems. However, adding modest battery storage to a grid connected to solar systems is a better way of increasing your independence from the grid without spending too much.

Most marketers have online tools that can help you get the right size battery based on various factors. However, it is advisable to consult professionals for the best advice.

Customers with solar systems are increasingly adding battery storage to reduce their electricity costs or become independent from the grid. With better technology and prices getting lower every day, battery storage is becoming an appealing component to many solar power system owners.

This type of storage allows the customer to charge their batteries during the day and then discharge them when there is no generation. This permits homeowners and businesses to have a backup power source and save on electricity bills. In addition, you can sail through cloudy periods or other times when power generation is low.