Did you know that your outdoor lighting installation needs maintenance every once in a while? It’s true! To keep your outdoor lights shining bright, there are a few things you should master.

Whether you’ve already got a bunch of outdoor lighting or if you’re a first-timer, there is plenty to learn in this checklist. And it’s really quick and easy, too!

Check Exterior Bulbs

The biggest headache for a homeowner is a bunch of burnt out bulbs. If you’re not prepared, it can really eat up time to get the right bulbs. But the solution here is to be prepared! When you first get your outdoor lighting installation, be sure to write down the bulb type for the fixture, and go grab some spares for later use.

After that, it’s all about anticipating need. But how can you tell if a bulb is about to blow out? There are some easy tells! Your bulb is close to bringing out if:

Keeping an eye out for these issues can be a huge time saver, and ensures your bulbs burn beautifully all year long. Just do a quick walk around once a week to check for these common signs!

Check Your Outdoor Lighting Wiring

During your light bulb check, do a quick look over for your wiring. If there are cuts, cracks, or missing bits of wiring, get them replaced with the help of a professional! Faulty wiring can be pretty dangerous when left alone, particularly if it gets damp or if the wiring is coming into contact with flammable materials. Damage is easy to spot, so as long as you’re looking for it, you’re gonna find it.

And that’s pretty much it! Any other issues should be handled by a professional for safety reasons, but these two things are the most common causes for exterior lighting failure. Feeling more confident about an outdoor lighting installation now? Contact the certified electricians at Kolb Electric to learn more about how outdoor lighting can benefit your home!

Science fiction aficionados may appreciate today’s blog post on one of the fundamental ingredients needed to create an other-worldly retreat where you can … well, space-out. From childhood bedrooms to multi-million dollar estates, science fiction has been the motivation for some of the most amazing spaces ever. Call it your Star Wars Sanctuary, Asimov Alcove, or Halo Haven, sci-fi rooms all have similar characteristics that give it their “universal” appeal. LIGHT.

One of the most popular settings for a fictional future is in outer-space. A black landscape, interrupted only by the flickering of shining planets & stars is the perfect backdrop for sci-fi design. LED fiber optic ceiling lights will make you look like you’re in space.

Patience and attention to detail will go a long way when installing these kits. You’ll find detailed instructions Make a home-made star constellation projector with star printables and a flashlight to mark real constellations!

Did you know that today is National Science Fiction Day, as well as Isaac Asimov’s birthday? 

Adequate surge protection does not begin and end with point-of-use power strips. Multiple layers of protection are necessary to safeguard your sensitive appliances and electronic devices. You’ve invested a great deal of money in them - now you need to protect them.

Whole house surge protection, installed between street power lines and your home, or between your meter and breaker box, offer your appliances the protection they need against today’s common but unexpected spikes and surges. Diverting excess power to ground, these devices protect both your electronics and your wallet from the dangers of spikes and surges that could leave you with smoking gear and a hefty replacement bill.

Because a whole house surge protector cannot handle 100 percent of surges, you need backup. That’s where point-of-use surge protection devices with power conditioners come in. Installed at individual outlets in your home, these devices also shed excess voltage through ground in the event a spike or surge overcomes your whole house surge protector. They also have the added benefit of noise filtering. There are two types: less expensive models that are destroyed internally – but preserve your gear – in the event of a surge, and more expensive models that can handle all but the most extreme surges without destruction.

Have you ever been watching TV or listening to the radio when someone in an adjacent room operates a blender or vacuum? Oftentimes the result will be static on your TV or an annoying buzz emitting from speakers courtesy of “noise” transmitted through the electrical lines in your home. That’s where a power conditioner comes in.

Those cheap $20 power strips from your local retail store are not the same as a surge protector with a power conditioner. While cheaper, this is definitely an instance where you get what you pay for - a couple extra outlets and some minor surge protection. In the event of a major event, however, they can fail your appliances and sometimes catch fire. Premium, point-of-use surge protection with power conditioning not only adequately protects your appliances from surges, but also:

Protect your gear and run at peak performance with help from the perfect team. Have surge protection and power conditioning equipment installed in your home with the help of Mr. Electric® today.