Are you unsure about whether you should buy a surge protector this winter? If you’ve spent a lot of money on the electronics in your home, risking it all by forgoing the right protection can be a costly mistake. The winter months bring with them an array of storms capable of rendering entire neighborhoods powerless. With all these outages, power surges are a common occurrence during the coldest time of the year.

There are some home improvements we do simply because we like the look of a new light or are ready for something different. Maybe we paint the walls or replace the windows with ones that are a little more energy efficient. Each of these improvements is an investment into our homes. In many cases, the improvement will ultimately increase the value of our homes while saving us a few dollars while we live in it. One home improvement investment that can start saving you money today is the installation of a ceiling fan by a Glendale electrician. At The Electric Connection, you can count on trained electricians to do the job for you professionally and efficiently.

A ceiling fan can improve the overall look of a room as well as cut down on your electric bill at the same time. That is certainly a worthy investment! Most ceiling fans include lights. This is perfect for a living room or dining area where you need a light fixture, but want the benefit of a fan. A ceiling fan can be installed in place of an existing light fixture. This is the easiest method of installation, but an electrician in Glendale can certainly install a fan in an area that doesn’t have an existing electrical box.

Ceiling fans are an excellent way to reduce the need to run your air conditioner in warm weather and the furnace in cooler weather. The fan circulates the air in the room. In the summer, the cool air is often pushed down to the ground by the hot air. The fan will turn counter-clockwise and pull that cool air up into the room. In the winter, the fan pushes the hot air that rises back into the sitting area. If you would like to make an investment in your home with a ceiling fan installation, give The Electric Connection a call today.

When winter weather hits, a standby generator can be crucial for keeping your home’s essential functions, including heat (either from your main HVAC system or from a space heater) running. But ice storms and freezing temperatures can prevent the generator from working properly when you need it most. Fortunately, there are a number of add-ons you can install on your generator to keep it running smoothly, even when the thermostat plunges!

You probably already know that cold weather can kill your car’s battery. Well it’s the same for your generator! Thermostatically controlled battery warmers go underneath the battery, turning on when the temperature drops below 40 F. The best part about battery warmers is you don’t have to monitor them—they’re just set and forget.

Warm oil acts as a slippery lubricant, keeping all the parts of your generator moving the way they’re supposed to. Cold oil, on the other hand, turns into a sludge-like substance that can actually prevent movement! A cold weather kit will include a crank case heater that prevents the oil from getting so cold that it becomes unusable.

Manufacturers recommend replacing the standard 10W-30 oil with 5W-30 Synthetic Oil if you do decide to add a heater.

Generac cold weather kits are recommended for CorePower units installed in areas where temperatures below 32 F are common, which includes our area. For generator services in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!

If you have ever dreamed about running your home on solar power, but have always chalked it up to one of those fantasies you will never see come true, think again. Solar power is becoming more and more popular with today’s technology and the world’s desire to save our natural resources. Relying on the sun to power your home isn’t something that is reserved for those who live in the backwoods areas. Every person can equip their home with solar panels and begin to take advantage of the free energy the sun provides. An electrician in Beverly Hills can help your dream of using clean, renewable energy a reality. You will find a team of electricians at The Electric Connection who are familiar with the installation of solar power panels.

Nowadays, solar panels are much more compact as well as aesthetically appealing. They will typically comply with any covenants a neighborhood may impose. The panels are mounted directly to the roof and do not take up any space in your landscaping. There are several different types and brands of solar panels you can talk about with your electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will want to choose what is right for their needs.

In many cases, homeowners are simply looking for a way to offset their electric bill, but are not trying to rely completely on solar power to power the home. This is an excellent way to save money every month. Your solar installer will know which panels will work best for your home’s locations and your needs. Not all panels are created equal. If you lived in a heavily shaded area, you will need a panel that has a higher conversion rate. All of this is information you can get from the folks at The Electric Connection when you call today.