Juggling the seemingly endless myriad of accessories, appliances and tools that have become commonplace in modern homes can sure be a hassle. Many homeowners find themselves routinely swapping plugs, or using devices like a power strip. While these can suffice in many situations, and offer a (relatively) effective solution, many make the mistake of relying on a power strip too much.

The only thing Kolb Electric takes more seriously than perfect service is safety! We don’t want to see you caught up in an electrical emergency, and to make sure you don’t we’ve built a short list of power strip safety tips. We also have some alternative, and overall superior, suggestions as well!

When deciding to use a power strip, keep these points in mind:

As we said, power strips are fine. In moderation, and as long as you observe proper power strip safety. But there’s a better solution! You aren’t simply stuck with however many outlets are currently installed in your home. Additional outlets can provide a safe, dependable and long-term solution to your electricity needs! The process is quick and simple in the hands of a professional, and will have you set to handle all of our modern lifestyles.

No matter what you require for your home, the experts at Kolb can provide the electrical access you need! We’ve been handling electricity, wiring and appliances for years, providing our consumers with only the absolute best in service, skill and technology. Contact Kolb today to learn more about our services, or to set an appointment!

If you have an electric car, you may have been excited with the idea of saving money on gas while doing something great for the environment. Unfortunately, your car may not be meeting your expectations. What many people don’t know about electric cars is the fact they can only go about 60 miles or so before they need recharged. If the car is out of juice, it will have to rely on gas and still cost you money. An electrician in Santa Monica, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you make your electric car work for you.

The electric cars are often sold with a standard, slow charger that runs on 120-volts. It can take about 24 hours for a car to be fully charged. It isn’t often you can sit at home for a full 24 hours to allow your car to become fully charged. Because of this, your electric car is not saving you as much money on your gas bill that it could be. You can opt to have a fast electric car charger, technically referred to as a Level II charger. You will need a Santa Monica electrician to install the proper outlet for the charger. This faster charger will charge your electric car in about 6 to 8 hours.

The Level II charger will require a 240-volt outlet to be plugged into. This isn’t a standard fixture in a garage. In fact, most homes only have one or two of these outlets and they are dedicated to the dryer and air conditioner. You invested in an electric car in order to decrease your dependency on gas. Make it work for you with the help of an electrician. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment to have a 240-volt outlet installed.

Well, the stormy season is upon us with thunder and lightning all around…..are you prepared?  Do you have whole-house protection from lightning strikes and power surges?  With the continued uncertainty of Texas weather, it’s important to be protected year round!  Here at ElectricMan, a licensed Dallas Electrician, we offer whole-house surge protection, as well as Green-friendly electric service alternatives.  Just give us a call for more information!

-Your team here at ElectricMan

(972) 792-7270

www.electricmaninc.com

Generators make an important line of defense against natural disasters and power outages. With a generator, you don’t have to worry about keeping the food in your refrigerator cold, or powering your heating system when the temperatures drop. When installing a new generator, it’s important to select one that is the right size for your home. By size, we mean the power it’s capable of creating, not the physical size (though that can enter into the equation depending on where you plan to put it). In Lynnwood WA, electrical repair services can often advise you on how to size the right generator for your home, but it pays to know the basic before you give them a call.

The first step is to perform an energy audit for your home, determining how much power each appliance or electrical device uses, and then prioritizing them for use during an emergency. Medical devices usually come first on the list, followed by refrigerators and freezers which store your food. Next is your home HVAC system, followed by the lights in your home. Computers, radios and entertainment systems are usually on the bottom of the list: useful for keeping connected with the outside world, but otherwise non-essential in an emergency.

Once you have that list, you can determine two things: how much power is required to run your whole house and how much power is required to run the bare essentials during an emergency. The former number is preferable and if you can afford a generator of that size, then you should probably purchase it. The latter is less ideal but can do in a pinch if you’re on a budget and still want to keep your household running when the power goes out. In that case you need to carefully monitor which appliances are hooked up to the generator so you don’t overload it when the time comes.