Electricity gives us light, warmth and many of the conveniences of modern life. It powers industry, our homes, our schools and our offices, yet most of us take it for granted. Do you know where your electricity comes from or how it reaches you to provide the energy you depend on? It's Grid Week, and the Department of Energy's Understanding the Grid infographic gives a bite-size education on how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed to our homes and businesses.

Options are great to have and allow us to compare a number of different details before we make a decision. Choosing the right contractor to do a job is important for that very same reason. You need to be able to compare skill level, experience, cost and reputation. When you are in need of a specific job, like an electrical repair around the house or at your business, you want to choose the right electrician in Pasadena for the job. But, how do you know which one is right? You do a little research. The team at The Electric Connection makes it easy for current and future clients to find them on the web and schedule an appointment.

The right Pasadena electrician for any job should have the following qualities:

Protect yourself, your home and your business by hiring the right team to complete any electrical work in your home. You can always count on The Electric Connection to provide you with professional, high quality service.

Expert Electric offers many different types of electrical services for both residential and commercial properties. From ceiling fan installation to smoke detectors and electrical water heaters, our team of licensed electricians can tackle it all! Another area that our team of electricians specializes in is electrical motors. Since electrical motors convert electricity into mechanical or kinetic energy, they have many different applications. Keep reading to learn more about the basics of electrical motors, common applications and repairs.

Electrical motors are commonplace in many personal, household and industrial products such as power tools, watches, disk drives and batteries. Essentially these motors are machines that come in all different sizes and are used to transmit electricity into mechanical or kinetic energy. We often take electricity for granted when we switch on our lights or our television. In fact, it is the behind-the-scenes work of electrical motors that causes the instant conversion of electricity into energy which immediately powers our devices.

As previously mentioned, electrical motors are used in so many of our personal and household items. We rely on them to track time, grind coffee, wash clothes and keep us warm. Our world would be much different without electrical motors. Outside of our homes and personal lives, electrical motors play a much larger role. Electrical motors are used in all types of commercial industrial equipment including pumps, mills, refineries and more. The significant impact of electrical motors extends all throughout the oil & gas, energy, mining and water industries.

Like most electrical items, electrical motors require regular maintenance and repairs. Although electrical motor repairs may seem intimidating to some, a licensed electrician can handle the repair and maintenance of most motors in personal and household items. For electrical motor repairs in Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. Our team is easy to reach and will respond fast to any of your electrical motor repair needs.

If you have any questions about electrical motors or any of our other electrical services, please contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. We are pleased to answer any questions that you may have. Call us today at 604-681-8338 or visit our website.

Two costs are associated with any electrical appliance: the buying price, and the running cost in terms of energy and maintenance. Of the running costs, energy is one of the major items. Typically, the equipment can last several years before requiring a major repair.

Consumers should therefore not just look at the price tag on the item.  Rather, pay attention to its energy rating and available energy saving modes.

Energy star certified refrigerators and freezers are at least 9 and 10 percent more efficient respectively. Other considerations that help in saving energy include selecting the adequate capacity. In addition, the refrigerator or freezer should be kept in a cool place away from heat sources such as direct sunlight or ovens.

More energy savings can be realized by using the proper settings. In addition, ensure the door is closed all the time and that seals are in place. Place the refrigerator or freezer in a spot that allows free air circulation around the fridge; especially at the back where there are cooling pipes.

Manual defrost freezer models use less energy and are therefore more efficient than the automatic defrost models. Another important factor is the design of the freezer. An upright freezer with shelves is easier to organize. However, the chest freezer may be more energy efficient since there is less cold air escaping from the door which opens from the top.

These are usually 40 percent more efficient than the standard purifiers. Other factors to consider include the room size and placement. Select a model adequate for the room; otherwise, an oversized air purifier or cleaner will end up consuming more power unnecessarily.

Energy star certified dishwashers use at least 12 percent less energy and 15 percent less water than the conventional models. However, this may vary depending on the model and other factors.

These dishwashers utilize more efficient technologies that reduce both the energy consumption and water usage. For example, the design uses soil sensors that check the amount of dirt on the dishes.  An optimized cleaning cycle reduces the minimum amount of energy and water. In addition, there are more efficient water jets and a dish rack design that ensures efficient use of water and energy.

Energy Star dehumidifiers

Certified dehumidifiers use 15 percent less energy. They utilize more efficient compressors, refrigeration coils, and fans.

Washing machines

Energy star certified washing machines are usually 25 percent more energy efficient than their equivalent standard models. In addition, they use 40 percent less water. This results in the consumer saving water, as well as energy for both the washing machine and the water pump.

Clothes dryers

Certified dryers use at least 20 percent less energy than the standard models. The equipment utilizes more efficient technologies such as heat pumps. Moisture sensors automatically stop the drying cycle once the clothes are dry. This sensor-based drying machine is more efficient compared to thermostat or timed drying, which continues to consume energy even after clothes are dry.

Televisions qualify for energy star certification when they become at least 20 percent more efficient. Some models can reach up to 40% better efficiency than traditional models, while the set-top boxes can achieve up to 45 %. However, the amount of power used depends on the size of the TV screen, display technology, and resolution.

The home theater systems that are energy star certified are 60 percent more efficient. Certified battery chargers for small household appliances such as power tools, electric shavers, and cordless gadgets use 30 percent less energy.