Smoke alarms are an important safety measure to protect your family and home from fire. You should have at least one installed on every floor. Unfortunately, a smoke detector beeping intermittently is a major irritant, disturbing your sleep and alarming your children and pets.

However, you should never permanently disconnect a smoke alarm to stop it from beeping. Instead, figure out the cause behind a beeping smoke detector and work to solve the problem. We can help!

If you just cleaned your fire alarm and replaced the battery yet the intermittent beeping continues, this could be a sign it’s time for a smoke detector replacement. These devices typically only last 8 to 10 years. If you’re not sure how old your smoke detector is, remove it from the wall or ceiling and check the manufacturing date on the reverse side to see if old age could be the cause of the malfunction.

A surge suppressor, commonly referred to as a surge protector, is a tool designed to protect electrical equipment from sudden increases in voltage. The suppressor works by limiting the voltage allotted to an electrical device, by grounding any voltage beyond the appropriate threshold.

Suppressors are often used in industrial settings with devices installed in communication systems, power distribution panels and process control systems. Smaller versions of suppressors are used in homes to protect household appliances from voltage hazards.  These types of suppressors are different from protecting plug strips that are commonly used for plugging multiple electronics into the same area.

You have probably heard a lot about green living lately. The term is pretty broad, but basically, it means learning to be more reliant on renewable energy sources and protecting the environment and in many cases, saving a few dollars. Green homes are one way you can fulfill all three of these things.

Green Home

What is a green home? It isn’t a house painted green! It is a home that relies on a renewable power source, like the sun. Solar-powered homes use to be very rare. However, in today’s tough economic times and the rise in electric costs, they are quickly become a viable option. An electrician in Burbank can help answer any questions you may have about solar power and what it can do for you. The experts at The Electric Connection are here to talk with you about your options and explain to you how it all works.

Solar Power

Solar power isn’t what it used to be. Nowadays, the panels are relatively small, but just as effective as their predecessors. Many homes rely solely on solar power combined with backup generators. However, if you are not willing to completely give up your connection to the power grid, you don’t have to, but you can still use solar power for the majority of your power needs. This is something you will want to talk about with your electrician. Burbank residents know the value of saving a dollar and with solar power; you will certainly save more than a mere dollar.

There is an initial investment cost to installing a solar power system with panels. However, this investment is well worth it. Imagine what it would be like to cut your electric bill in half every month? If you are interested in learning more about solar power, please call us at The Electric Connection. We would be happy to provide you with the specifics needed and your options.

Working with electricity is definitely not a DIY project. Not only is there the danger of electrocution, but improperly-installed wiring is the leading cause of house fires in the United States. For anything electrical, from changing an outlet to hanging a light fixture to wiring a new room or circuit in your home, you need to call an electrician.

Knowing the average electrician prices for the most common jobs can give you an idea of what to expect when you do need to make this call. This knowledge can prevent you from getting ripped off by unscrupulous contractors or hiring an extra cheap, yet extremely under qualified, electrical company.

Most electricians and electrical contractors charge an hourly fee plus the cost of parts and materials, if needed. Many electrician prices also include a set fee, usually between $60 and $100, for an on-site estimate. However, that amount is virtually always applied to the cost of the first hour of labor if you decide to have them complete the job.

To give you an idea of what electrician costs typically look like for a few common electrical jobs, we’ve compiled the following list:

Larger or more complex projects, such as whole house re-wiring or any electrical project requiring a building permit, will usually be quoted on a per job basis rather than hourly.

At Kolb Electric, we want your home to be both efficient and safe. That’s why we employ only the most qualified licensed electricians, including a master electrician as a supervisor, for every electrical job in the DC area. However, we also understand that you may have a limited budget for your electrical repairs and maintenance and that often, such things come up unexpectedly. That’s why we always try to provide the best value on top-quality work.

To learn more about electrician costs for your Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC project, call us at 877 287-1179. We’ve been helping area Mid-Atlantic home and commercial building owners with their electrical needs since 1925.