In some of our previous posts, you’ve likely seen our experts mention the presence of “ungrounded” outlets in homes and buildings. But what exactly makes an ungrounded outlet such a negative? Are they dangerous? Our certified electricians come to you today with answers to the real important questions regarding ungrounded outlets!

If you have ungrounded outlets and need an outlet upgrade, contact us today!

Ungrounded outlets are easily identified by simply taking a look at the face of the outlet (where you plug things in). On nearly all modern homes, there should be three holes. Two are the vertical slits, and one roundish one located underneath the pair of vertical ones. That’s a grounded outlet, which have been required by electrical safety standards for all structures since the mid-1960s.

Ungrounded outlets lack the third hole, the roundish one on the lower portion where the, somewhat obviously, ground plug goes.

To understand the why, you kind of have to understand what a grounded outlet does. The two vertical slots represent both a “hot” wire, and a “neutral” wire. The ground wire in a grounded outlet ties into the neutral vertical slot. Why the redundancy? Well, it acts like a failsafe. Should anything go awry with your outlet, such as a short, the renegade electricity simply travels safely along the ground wire back to the panel. Without the ground wire, that electricity can channel into materials, such as fabrics located close to the outlet, or a very unlucky person.

Is it dangerous in that it might jump out and bite you? No. Is it dangerous in that it dramatically increases personal and property risk? Yes, absolutely. Ungrounded outlets increase the chance of:

We’ve encountered a few arguments over the years about the safety of ungrounded outlets. Like how they were used just fine in the past, or how the home that has them hasn’t “burned down yet”, etc. Well, that’s just the thing. Yet.

We haven’t been hit by a car, but that doesn’t mean we should go walking down the center of a busy highway at midnight. Grounded outlets became a standard in electrical code for a reason. They prevent possible problems that homes consistently encountered in the past. It’s all about preparedness and prevention!

So to conclude, are ungrounded outlets dangerous? Yes, they represent a very real potential risk. Worried that you may have ungrounded outlets in your home or business? Contact the certified master electricians at Kolb Electric today! We’ve been bringing our consumers the very best in electrical advice and service for years, and your complete satisfaction and safety are always our top priority!

Are you looking for a way to dodge the cold this winter but still enjoy the outdoors? Then why not consider a hot tub! The experts at Kolb Electric can wire a hot tub for your home easily. But there are some things you need to know before beginning installation. There are specific limitations and home wiring necessities before you can relax in your new hot tub.

Got more questions? Contact the experts at Kolb Electric today!

If you’re looking to complete a hot tub installation in MD, VA. or DC, you should first understand the electrical requirements. Most hot tubs need a dedicated 240V, GFCI circuit to safely provide them with the power they need to run. To meet your hot tub’s electrical needs, you need to make sure your home is running on at least a 100 amp electrical service. Most homes built in the past 50 years or so meet this requirement, and many homes built more recently even exceed this, with 150 – 200 amp service. However, if you live in a historic home in the area, you may need to upgrade your electrical service before any hot tub wiring can be done. A licensed electrician from Kolb Electric can perform what’s known as a “heavy up” to get your home’s electrical service standards up to par for a hot tub installation in MD, VA, or DC.

If your home is ready for hot tub wiring, it helps to understand some of the guidelines that are outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically ones dealing with hot tub installations. For instance, it is a violation of the NEC to install a hot tub under power lines. Additionally, you should avoid installing low-voltage lighting within 10 feet of your hot tub.

For all your hot tub wiring needs in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, contact the electricians at Kolb Electric today—877-287-1179877-287-1179 or click here!

You're probably familiar with some of the federal energy efficiency programs by now. The most prominent, the Clean Power Plan, was announced last year with ambitious targets to limit carbon and other pollutants generated by the nation's electrical work. What you might not be aware of is the amount of impetus placed on the individual states to enact programs that advance the federal goals. Through the Clean Energy Incentive Program, or CEIP, states are responsible for reducing their carbon emissions by 2022 through renewable energy generation or increased efficiency measures. Read on to learn more.

States Picking up the Slack on Conservation

The Clean Power Plan sets a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Although it is a federal rule enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act, the national government doesn't actually have control over the nation's electrical work, so the plan requires the cooperation of the states to come to fruition. In turn, the states will have to work with big polluters within their borders, primarily power plants, to bring emission levels down.

The federal agency is using emission rate credits as the carrot to incentivize the conservation measures, rewarding states for their reduction in fossil fuel consumption, which the states then pass on to the individual power generators and other industry players. Other options include household and industry efficiency programs to encourage people to purchase modern appliances and otherwise reduce the consumption in their electrical work. In total, the EPA is pushing states to reduce carbon emissions by 300 million short tons.

State Help for Increasing the Efficiency of Your Electrical Work

One interesting aspect of the EPA program is that it contains extra incentives for states that focus on initiating programs in low-income communities. The exact parameters haven't been worked out yet, and various programs will still work differently in different states, but essentially the federal agency will provide twice the credits for projects that affect low-income households. That means states will have an easier time reaching their goals, and the most vulnerable residents of an area have a better chance of participating and realizing savings from the Clean Power Plan.

Regardless of what your income level is, you should keep an eye on any efficiency programs coming from your state in the coming months and years. While much of the work is aimed at power plants, other assistance may be available to homeowners to purchase new appliances, invest in residential renewable energy like solar panels or otherwise decrease both energy consumption and utility bills in the household.

Trust the Experts for All Your Home Service Needs

If you need help figuring out how to reduce your household spending on electricity, or have any other issues with your home electrical system, contact a professional electrician today.

Electrical problems have the potential to cause serious injuries and property damage, and should never be ignored.   What may seem like a minor problem, such as a flickering light or a circuit that repeatedly trips could be an indication of a major problem hidden within the walls of a home or business.