Your home is probably adequately lighted for the most basic needs, but could it be better? We all have certain rooms that we would like to highlight by shining more light or maybe a special piece of artwork deserves some specialty lighting. You may have stopped and wondered how you could go about illuminating that one wall without going through some serious trouble. Don’t worry about it anymore! An electrician in Pasadena can help you make your home into a space that accents your art or whatever piece you want to show off a bit. The Electric Connection has skilled electricians who can help you achieve the perfect lighting scheme.

There are numerous lighting fixtures you can use to create the perfect lighting scheme for a room. If the room should be flooded in light, you can consider a brilliant chandelier that casts off plenty of light. Recessed lighting can be mounted directly into the ceiling to avoid obstructing the view of any wall décor. Low-wattage bulbs can be put into the recessed light fixtures to create a soft glow that will add subtle light without being too bright or too dark.

Another option that is ideal for spotlighting certain areas in a room is track lighting. There are several options you have to choose from. A U-shaped track can easily light up an entire room with different wattage lights being directed at various walls or directly down into the sitting area of a room. There are numerous styles to choose from. Light up a mantle with a low-wattage bulb and spotlight artwork on an adjacent wall with a colored bulb or a specialty bulb specifically aimed at bringing out the colors and details of a piece of artwork. Anything is possible. All you need to do to handle your Pasadena electrical needs is give The Electric Connection a call today.

Snow and ice are major concerns for homeowners throughout much of North America, and that usually means pulling out the snow shovel a few times each winter. Shoveling snow can be strenuous and uncomfortable work, but it's the only way to get those sidewalks and driveways clear -- or is it?

If you're familiar with radiant floor heating -- an HVAC solution that uses heated coils to warm a home from the floor up -- that same technology has applications outside the home, as well. Specifically, it's a great way to melt ice and snow off of walking and driving surfaces without having to grab a shovel or even venture outside.

Hard on the Pocketbook

Of course, there's a pretty big catch: the price. The equipment and installation can add a significant amount to any home building or remodeling project, especially if the surfaces you want to heat are far from the nearest power source. And that's just for the heating elements -- there's still the matter of removing the old surfaces and pouring new ones. All together, it can cost well into the tens of thousands of dollars to install radiant heating under the driveway and walkways of an average home.

For this reason, radiant heating is usually only a feature in new construction -- with a plan to install the equipment right from the outset, it's possible to shave thousands of dollars off the installation cost.

There's also the cost to operate the equipment, which can run several hundred dollars per winter for homes in especially snowy, icy climates. But for homeowners who dread shoveling every year, that could be a small price to pay.

Going Another Route

If you're not ready to drop thousands of dollars just to cut shoveling out of your life, there are several less pricey ways to keep surfaces clear and safe.

Heat mats. If you like the concept of using radiant heating outdoors but don't like the price tag, you might find a suitable compromise in heat mats. Available in a wide range of sizes, all-weather mats can be placed on your walkways and powered through extension cords to melt snow and ice as it falls. You'll still need to put them out before the winter weather arrives and stow them away after the storm, but it will at least spare you some shoveling.

Rock salt. It's cheap, it's easy to use and it's available at most hardware stores. It's also incredibly effective for melting ice. But it's not without its downsides -- rock salt can be corrosive to metal and even concrete, so you might expect some damage to your vehicles and surfaces over the course of many winters. It can also harm vegetation, pets and indoor surfaces like carpet if it's tracked inside. So if you use salt, use it with care.

Shovel early and often. You'll spend more time outdoors, but if you start shoveling in the middle of a storm, you may be able to prevent ice accumulation. You'll also make it a little easier on your back by shoveling lighter shovelfuls. It's not the ideal solution, but it beats slipping on a slick surface.

Thinking of installing a radiant heated driveway or walkway? Reach out to your local electrician to take the first steps, or just ask for more smart ways you can stay comfortable and safe throughout winter storm season.

Even in Texas, it can get chilly.  Having a properly heated home can mean the difference between a happy family and a cold one.  Thankfully, there are a few quick, inexpensive things you can do to make this winter more bearable.  Here are a few heating tips from local Dallas Electrician that can help you stay cozy this winter.

These are just a few of the ways you can warm up this winter and make the most of your home’s energy.  If you’re interested in learning more about ways to efficiently heat your house, or if you have other questions about general electric repair, give us a call and we’ll help you design the electrical plan that’s right for you.

Have heating tips you’d like to share with us? Post a comment or post on our Facebook page.

About ElectricMan Inc.

ElectricMan Inc. is one of Dallas’ most trusted electricians. Nick Schaeffer, Mr. ElectricMan himself, has quite the resume for a master electrician. He started the company by himself in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since! For more information about Electricman’s list of electrical repair services, please visit www.ElectricManInc.com