Wall outlets are the primary point of interaction most homeowners have with their electrical systems. Those of us who aren't electricians or contractors may never open our circuit boxes or run a wire through the wall, but we plug and unplug things from our outlets every day. Those outlets don't last forever, however, and they need to be upgraded and replaced at some point to help protect the safety and security of your home and family. Read on to learn when it's time to make the switch.

Don't Take Your Outlets for Granted

Given their steady, reliable performance delivering electricity to our appliances and devices, it's tempting to take our outlets for granted, but they do actually have a lifespan and can become obsolete over time. Especially if you live in an older house, your outlets, and the wires they are attached to, may be deteriorating. What's more, older electrical outlets might not be up to the current standards of your local building code.

So why should you care? Because old outlets can turn into a major safety hazard, most notably as the source of a house fire. Sometimes, the wires connected to the outlets become loose or frayed, creating an immediate fire danger – but this can be prevented by installing new, modern models. When you upgrade to the latest, up-to-code outlets, you can also add safety features like a ground fault circuit interrupter, which decreases the possibility of electrocution. You can also have an electrician install convenient features like combo outlets that charge your USB devices, or kid-safe outlets in areas accessible to young children.

When to Bring in an Electrician

The easiest way to know when you need to update your outlets is to have an electrician inspect your home. There are also other warning signs that can clue you in when it's time to make a change:

Obviously, if you detect smoke or a burning odor coming from your outlet, you should call an electrician immediately – or better yet, the fire department. Fires can spread quickly within your walls before you even realize you have a problem.

If you need a hand upgrading your outlets or other parts of your electrical system, get in touch with an expert electrician today.

Faulty electrical wiring does not only cause fires but could also result in electrocution if you touch an exposed wire. When unconcealed wires come into contact with combustible materials, they can easily cause fatal fires. You can prevent many deaths caused by faulty electrical wiring by learning some signs of faulty electrical wiring. The main signs include:

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.