Installing a backup generator can be a great benefit to many situations, but there are still people who think generators are more hassle than they are worth. The truth is there are a lot of myths and untruths out there about how backup generators work and run. Let’s take a few moments to debunk the three most common myths:

Truth: Installing a backup generator is a good idea if you want to ensure you have power during storm season and the cold winter months—times when the power has been known to go out due to high winds, lightening, or icy power lines. These generators can provide power for any family that needs to keep the electricity flowing; whether it’s to keep the food in the freezer from thawing, to keep the family comfortable during extreme temps, or just for convenience.

Truth: While you may remember the loud, noisy, and sometimes even smelly generators from years ago, the modern versions are not nearly as disruptive. If you use a diesel generator, you may still get some of that odor, but when it comes to noise it’s really not that loud. It’s more of a soft whirring sound than it is a loud motor sound. Your neighbors will likely not even know it’s running…that’s how quiet generators are these days.

Truth: If your only frame of reference for a backup generator was from 30 years ago, you may think the power you get will be unreliable. This can still be true for certain generator models, but you can turn to professional electricians to help you find the right generator to meet your needs. If you need the generator to be consistently reliable, you are sure to find a model that will fit the bill. You can also purchase surge protectors to help with this issue and protect more sensitive electronics like computers and important medical equipment.

Don’t let these common myths keep you from experiencing the peace of mind and protection a backup generator can bring to your home. Even when the power goes out, you can continue to use essential electronics in your home and keep your family comfortable when you have the right generator installed.

CRI) of 82 to show the true colors of objects and surroundings.

A rocker switch allows for two levels of light, but the fixture can also be dimmed with an electronic low-voltage (ELV) dimmer. Up to 10 under-cabinet fixtures can be joined in a series with our interconnect cables. The low-profile white aluminum fixture has 120V AC operation and is designed to last 30,000 hours—three times longer than equivalent fluorescent fixtures.

Now that the weather is warming up, you'll have more time to get those household jobs you've likely been putting off done. There'll likely be lots of trips to the hardware store, power tools, shouts of victory and the occasional groan of defeat along the way as you undergo a renovation. Before you launch into your summer projects here are a few tips to make sure you have a productive home improvement season.

Do your homework

Research your project before you start by finding stories and reading product reviews. Doing your due diligence on a job before you even pull out a tape measure will help to prepare yourself mentally.

Stick to the plan

Before you start knocking down, peeling off, unscrewing or disconnecting, make sure you have a clear plan of what you want to do and how you want to achieve it. The last thing you want is to turn a two hour job into two day patch-up.

Measure twice, cut once

Not being meticulous about your measurements often leads to "an inch off here" or "an inch to much there," which is all you need to ruin a great day's work.  Making sure you get the right size pipes, joints and parts the first time you go will save you multiple trips to the hardware store.

Get the right tool

Much like the previous point, using the wrong tool can lead to you undoing your hard work. We've all been tempted to jury rig something that's "close enough" to what we want, but that sometimes turns out to be not just unwise but also unsafe.

Have a backup plan

Here at Kolb Electric, we’re excited that Christmas is coming up soon—families throughout MD, DC, and VA have already started putting up their beautifully decorated Christmas trees. This time of the year also means that families in the area will decorate their homes with beautiful outdoor lighting to celebrate Christmas. Now, hundreds of homes each year are damaged as a result of faulty electrical wiring during the holiday season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that each year fires occurring during this season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage.

Fortunately, there are some simple outdoor Christmas lighting safety tips we recommend you follow to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following these precautionary lighting tips, individuals can minimize the risk of becoming a holiday fire casualty. You can trust us—we’ve been offering lighting help to our customers since 1925!

We recommend that you following these outdoor Christmas lighting safety tips to avoid a catastrophe this holiday season. If you do require Christmas lighting help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.