There are a lot of interesting facts and tidbits about solar power and its usage. If solar panel installation is something you are considering, here are four points you may find helpful in making your decision:

It does not cost as much as you think.

Solar panel costs are not as high as most people assume. There are even financing plans that you can look into. Also, they end up saving you a bunch on your electricity bill.

You are going green.

Having a solar panel installation done on your home greatly reduces your carbon footprint. Powering your home via solar energy requires no pollutants being expelled into our water or air. While your home is basically ran on solar energy, you still have the back up of electricity when its clouded over or rainy for several days.

There are different types of solar panels.

You should educate yourself on the different types of solar panels if you are looking into solar installation for your home. There are photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels. The photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into usable energy. Solar thermal panels absorb heat and then distributes that heat for warming purposes.

The idea of using solar energy is not a new innovation.

Back in the Fifteenth Century, Leonardo Da Vinci had sketched several ideas on how to harness the power radiating from the sun. Although much was not done with it, it still proves that great minds thought early on that using solar energy was wise.

If you are interested in having solar panels installed, look no further than The Electric Connection. If you need solar installers based in the Los Angeles area, we can help you out. You can also visit our website or give us a call today for more information on solar panel installation and benefits.

Here in the MD/DC/VA area, it’s not uncommon for us to lose power when a summer storm rips through. And while these outages sometimes last only a few hours, storms that have occurred over the past several summers have left people in the dark for several days at a time. At Kolb Electric, we’re big fans of Generac generators—they are among the most reliable systems available, and they’re the only ones we install. That said, there are a few things you should consider if you’re thinking about installing a standby generator:

You can’t stretch the amount of power that generators supply, so make sure you receive an NEC (National Electric Code) approved load calculation with each proposal. Kolb Electric will provide this calculation with our estimate.

Standby generators must be permitted prior to installation and inspected following installation. Kolb Electric will do the work of acquiring the necessary permits for you, and we want to remind everyone not to have your system installed by a contractor who says they can do it with no permit. HOA requirements and approval processes vary, but key concerns often come down to noise and location.

In the event that your standby generator installation does not require a permit, make sure to ask if it will be installed up to NEC code.

Some people install generators to keep the essential functions of their home running, such as the refrigerator and a few lights. Others install theirs to be able to carry on with life as if nothing had happened. Before you install a standby generator, decide what you’ll want to run and what you can do without. Remember—too much capacity will needlessly inflate the cost of your system, so try to be realistic when deciding.

At Kolb Electric, we’re committed to installing your generator efficiently and effectively. Even so, the generator installation process can get hung up at different phases, such as permitting, and may take up to a few weeks to complete—especially during the busy summer months. Don’t wait until a major storm has been forecast before you install your standby generator! Try to do it during the spring or fall, before you need it (and, more importantly, before everyone else needs it!).

What type of generator will you be installing? Air cooled or liquid cooled? Is it natural gas or propane? Will you be receiving a gas meter upgrade? At Kolb Electric, we’ll talk you through your options and help make sure your standby generator does everything you need it to.

Whenever you have any sort of electrical work done, you’re not just buying the system—you’re also buying the company doing the install. With this in mind, it’s important that you know their qualifications as well as those of the technicians who will be installing your generator. Ask the following questions:

Kolb Electric has been in business since 1925, and all of our staff is licensed and trained to install Generac generators.

Standby generators require on-going annual maintenance, which Kolb Electric will provide with a service agreement. Make sure you also register your Generac generator with the manufacturer for warranty claims.

The lowest bid may sound appealing, but the deepest discounts won’t offset the costs of correcting an improper installation. When you see a huge price difference from one company to the rest, you can be sure something is being left out: load calculations, size inspections, and gas meter upgradesare just some of the areas where some unscrupulous contractors may cut corners and leave you up the creek when the big one hits.

Standby generators are designed to protect your biggest investment: your home. Take the time to get accurate answers regarding your system to keep your family safe.

If you’re thinking about installing a Generac generator in your home, call Kolb Electric today!

Minor power surges happen in milliseconds and can easily ruin many of today’s delicate electronics. Is your home protected with a whole house surge protector?

Today’s homes and families consume a great deal of power due to the abundance of electronic devices we use to function daily. As a result, damaging power surges are common today even when storms and downed lines are not a factor, with homes near the end of the power line being particularly vulnerable.

Install a whole house surge protector today. Contact Mr. Electric® and schedule the installation of one of these simple, effective devices for the protection of all of your home’s essential electronics.

Father’s Day is this weekend and that almost always means rushing to find a last-minute gift card or toolset for your dad. Dads tend to be a little difficult to shop for. They always shrug their shoulders when you ask what they want to do or what they want as a gift. Dads just enjoy spending time with their family. So, for this Father’s Day weekend, try hosting a nice cookout in his honor! Everyone here in Virginia loves some good quality grilling!

Grilling is a great way to bring family together and do something for your dad. He gets the opportunity to spend quality time with you and you get the benefit of doing something for him. And, honestly, is there anything that isn’t made better by the smoke and sear of a grill? If so, we want no part of it.

From ribs and shrimp to steak, clams and even cheese, you can grill all sorts of delicious concoctions that will impress your family and make sit on your rightful throne as the favorite child. Gain some serious family cred and the love of your father with these amazing summer grilling recipes!

Grilled Salsa Roja