The living room seems a little dim, you think. Here’s the DIY solution you cook up: you head over to the hardware store, buy a brighter bulb, screw it into the nearest lamp and bask in the incandescent glow. Easy, right?Not exactly. Using a lightbulb with higher-than-recommended wattage for a specific fixture is known as overlamping. This seemingly innocent practice is actually surprisingly dangerous, and is one of the leading causes of house fires in the United States — right up there with candles, smoking and cooking mishaps.

Overlamping is one of the most commonly overlooked mistakes a homeowner can make, and it can be deadly. A 2011 electrical fire that killed 11 people in Brisbane — the according to home improvement blogger Taryn Williford. When you place an incandescent bulb with wattage that’s too high in the socket of a lamp that cannot provide the required electrical output, the ensuing heat and intensity of the bulb can scorch or melt the socket and the insulation of the lamp's wiring.  

Now you have prime conditions for arc fault. An arc fault occurs when a spark jumps through the air between exposed wires. This sounds dangerous, yes? It is — in fact, the National Fire Protection Agency and the National Association of State Fire Marshals electrical power. A CFL often has a tubular shape atop the familiar screw-bottom.

An LED (light-emitting diode) light is directional, rather than radiant. This allows the LED to use much less energy than an incandescent light or even a CFL. LEDs can also directly replace incandescent bulbs in some cases.

CFLs use a much lower wattage than incandescent bulbs and create far less heat, making overlamping situations far less likely. LEDs also use much less electricity and even remain cool to the touch. The risks of overlamping are negligible.

There are drawbacks to any lighting solution. Incandescent (even halogen) lights are energy inefficient. CFLs are made from materials that are terrible for the environment. LEDs burn out at a quicker rate. The right light for you is the light that makes you most comfortable in your home — and that’s a decision you need to make.

If you live in Maryland, Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C. and need schedule electrical repair service online now.

The holiday season is here—how does your house look? If you’ve been putting off hanging your lights for any reason, don’t wait any longer—call Kolb Electric! We’re currently running a holiday light hanging service to help get your home decorated in time for all the festivities. We’re also offering $25 off any service call over $200!

To learn more about these great offers, click here!

Home ownership comes with a great deal of responsibility. There is a lot of upkeep that goes into keeping a house operating as it should and of course, the cosmetic appearance of the home is also a lot of work. When you buy a house, you expect to have some repairs. Those repairs may be very minimal and more to make the house a little more functional or they can be much more extensive and costly. You may have bought a home that had electrical problems you weren’t aware of or maybe you have lived in the home for some time and have recently come to realize you have an electrical issue. If you suspect there is something not quite right with the electrical wiring in your house, you need to call a Beverly Hills electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

House fires caused by faulty wiring are far too common. They happen at any time of the day or night and can be absolutely devastating. Prevention is truly the only real way of fixing an electrical wiring hazard. It isn’t always easy to see a problem, especially if it is behind the walls and covered by insulation. This is why you need an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners who have a sneaky suspicion there is an issue shouldn’t put it off. Call and have a wiring inspection right away. They are inexpensive and well worth the cost to find a problem and have it fixed before it becomes a huge problem that puts the lives of the family at risk.

You don’t have to wait to experience an electrical issue to have a wiring inspection. Give yourself peace of mind by have an electrician in Beverly Hills check things out. You will be informed of any potential issues. If it is all clear, you will sleep better at night knowing it is safe. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical inspection.