The world is getting more connected, and machines are collecting massive amounts of data about consumer habits. In the energy sector, the rise of big data is poised to revolutionize the way utility companies provide electricity to homeowners. That's good news for you – the more information you have at hand, the more opportunities you’ll have to save money. Read on to find out how big data may affect you in the near future.

Machines Learning the Patterns

Analyzing the patterns inside the enormous amounts of information provided by big data is known as machine learning. By letting computers do the heavy lifting, analysts can discover trends and efficiencies that no one would ever think to look for. Ultimately, what we learn from data analysis will trickle down and impact your interactions with any appliance or device that is electrical. Work conducted by machines will show humans the best way to move forward.

IntelligentUtility.com recently listed seven ways that machine learning can affect the relationship between you and your utility provider:

In the meantime, if you need tips about how to save energy or need electrical work performed on your home, call a qualified electrician today.

There are plenty of reasons to install new indoor light fixtures in your home. Perhaps you want to update your interior aesthetic, or save energy by upgrading to efficient LED bulbs. Maybe you even want to bring your lighting into a smart home control system. Although wiring a new fixture is usually a simple job, complications can crop up if your home still uses an outdated wiring system. In order to comply with your local building code, you may have to perform some extra electrical work to ensure the safety of your new fixture. Read on to learn more.

Bringing Older Electrical Work Up to Code

If your home still uses knob-and-tube wiring, the law prohibits connecting new light fixtures to the old wiring. You don't have to replace the entire wiring system itself, although that’s not a bad idea, because it can reduce your risk of an electrical fire and lower your insurance rates. Even if you don't have the time or money for such extensive electrical work, though, you can remain in compliance with your local code by installing an electrical box between your wiring and the light fixture.

You can purchase an appropriate electrical box at most local hardware stores – but make sure you verify that it is designed to meet local code guidelines for installing new light fixtures. From there, after you turn off the power to the room, you have to cut a hole in the wall where you want the fixture to go, large enough for the box to fit. If you're lucky, the fixture will be near a stud or part of the frame so you can mount the box easily. Otherwise, you have to cut the wall extremely carefully to ensure you leave enough lath and plaster keys to support the box.

Wiring the New Light into Place

Next, once the box is ready to be installed, follow the manufacturer instructions to clamp in the home wiring to the back of the unit. You may have to add a ground wire as well, depending on the specific scenario. Anchor the box using metal supports, and when it's all in place, connect the light fixture. When everything is securely connected, you can turn the power back on and give your new light a trial run.

Remember, knob-and-tube wiring can be a fire hazard, and performing electrical work in general can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. If you have any doubts or questions about installing your new light fixture, the best route is to have a professional electrician give you a hand.

Expert Assistance with Your Electrical Work

For assistance with all your electrical work, including installing new light fixtures, contact a qualified residential electrician today.

Your home is probably adequately lighted for the most basic needs, but could it be better? We all have certain rooms that we would like to highlight by shining more light or maybe a special piece of artwork deserves some specialty lighting. You may have stopped and wondered how you could go about illuminating that one wall without going through some serious trouble. Don’t worry about it anymore! An electrician in Pasadena can help you make your home into a space that accents your art or whatever piece you want to show off a bit. The Electric Connection has skilled electricians who can help you achieve the perfect lighting scheme.

There are numerous lighting fixtures you can use to create the perfect lighting scheme for a room. If the room should be flooded in light, you can consider a brilliant chandelier that casts off plenty of light. Recessed lighting can be mounted directly into the ceiling to avoid obstructing the view of any wall décor. Low-wattage bulbs can be put into the recessed light fixtures to create a soft glow that will add subtle light without being too bright or too dark.

Another option that is ideal for spotlighting certain areas in a room is track lighting. There are several options you have to choose from. A U-shaped track can easily light up an entire room with different wattage lights being directed at various walls or directly down into the sitting area of a room. There are numerous styles to choose from. Light up a mantle with a low-wattage bulb and spotlight artwork on an adjacent wall with a colored bulb or a specialty bulb specifically aimed at bringing out the colors and details of a piece of artwork. Anything is possible. All you need to do to handle your Pasadena electrical needs is give The Electric Connection a call today.