Help for Heroes, an organization that aids wounded soldiers in the UK. Munro’s inspiration for the exhibit:

Two years ago I was riding my bicycle in the lanes near my workshop – it’s a very good way to keep fit. But that winter afternoon it was dark and my lights had failed, and I fell off into a ditch full of icy cold cow-poop. As I got to my feet, the idea of cycling in a warm, dry, well-lit environment seemed irresistibly attractive. Almost immediately when I got home I started sketching the Star-Turn bike. – Bruce Munro, his website. Here’s one more photo of the magnificent Star-Turn:

Snap! Crackle! Pop! These are great sounds if you’re crunching cereal or curling up in front of a roaring fireplace on a cool winter evening. However, they are definitely unwelcome if you have just flipped on an electric light switch in your Los Angeles home. While most people can do simple home repairs, electrical problems are much more difficult — and potentially dangerous. At times like this, you’ll need to call on a Los Angeles electrician.

Since 1979 the Electric Connection has been providing electrical service and electrical repairs locally as an electrician in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. But they offer an additional, very unique electrical service; they are willing to answer your electrical questions and give free electrical advice to homeowners who have questions about their home lighting, electrical rewiring, electrical safety assessments, electrical upgrades, or any other electrical concern. In a way it’s like having your own personal electrician in Los Angeles who will share bits of wisdom and electrical trade advice without charging for an unnecessary electrical service call.

Here’s an example of the kind of electrical help that’s available on The Electric Connection’s website. Suppose a short circuit causes your circuit breaker to flip off. Do you have an electrical wiring issue? Is the circuit breaker overloaded? Is the breaker broken? This Los Angeles electrician’s site walks you through some steps you can take to isolate the problem at no fee. They suggest you think back to what happened immediately before the electrical power went out. For example, if you just plugged in an iron or other appliance immediately prior to the circuit breaker jumping off, unplug the appliance and reset the circuit breaker. If it stays on without any additional electrical power interruptions, the problem is most likely a faulty appliance and not an electrical issue at all.

On the other hand, if the circuit breaker does not work normally, or if you can’t find any specific cause for the break in your electrical power, then it may be time to call a licensed electrician in Los Angeles CA. Everything wears out over time, even circuit breakers, and you may simply need to have yours replaced. Another possibility is that the electrical wiring in your house is not sufficient for the amount of electrical appliances you now have. This situation frequently occurs in older homes which were built before the age of multiple televisions, home computers, entertainment centers, trash compactors and more. In this situation a Los Angeles electrician can add additional electrical wiring to your home or upgrade your electrical panel, bringing it up to speed with today’s highly powered lifestyle.

The Electric Connection’s website is full of other little hints that can help the do-it-yourself homeowner. For example, do you want to change out that old dining room light fixture with a more romantic chandelier that is hooked up to a nice dimmer switch? If so, read the advice on the Electric Connection site to make certain you purchase the correct electrical switch. Do you have flickering lights or electrical outlets that fail to work? The Electric Connection, your Los Angeles electrician, will tell you all of the possible reasons for your problem.

They are also willing to explain things such as the recent electrical upgrades to the National Electric Code that requires special outlets called ground fault circuit interrupters (GFIs) to be installed in electrical outlets which are near water sources, like the bath, kitchen, garage, pool or hot tub. These inexpensive electrical upgrades can be a lifesaver – literally!

Things wear out, including electrical wiring, and codes continually change as improved materials and safety features become available. Do you know the state of our home’s electrical health? If not, you may want to contact a licensed electrician in Los Angeles CA to conduct a free, no-obligation safety check. Your home is not only one of your largest financial investments, but it’s the place of safety you provide your family. Take a little time to give your home a checkup.

When you’re looking on line for electrician Los Angeles, you’ll you can always call The Electric Connection to discuss your electrical projects, to ask any electrical related questions, or to inquire about an electrical estimate.

LED lights are also measured in two different ways; by their color temperature and the lumens they produce. Because they use significantly less power and are gaining in efficiency with each generation, whereas older bulbs are consistent in their wattage being representative of the amount of light put out, LED bulbs can vary in efficiency a bit more. What this means is that the bulbs are now rated by their Lumen rating, or how much light they put out, versus how much power they draw. Understanding how LEDs work and the opportunities that they present to you as a homeowner are key to helping you make a decision as to how you light your home.

Lighting designers look to nature for organic, eco-friendly and sustainable artistic inspiration. Whether they are planning for interior and exterior lighting installation, a healthy blend of natural elements is always in style.

Bring nature indoors and out and get inspired by shopping nautical inspired lighting designs at Capitol Lighting.   The sea is a wonderful, natural inspiration and Capitol Lighting has a huge selection of nautical lighting from which to choose –over 300 designs and unique accent pieces!

When it comes to nautical lighting, Capitol Lighting offers everything from outdoor wall lighting to kitchen island lights. You don’t have to live by the sea to appreciate the essence of nautical lighting design.  Trend-setting finish options and appealing blue hues incorporated into the latest nautical lighting designs.  These lamps and light fixtures are timeless and classic, and they add a casual charm to both the traditional and modern home.

Whether you are shopping for kitchen island lights, outdoor wall lighting or outdoor pier lights, find hundreds of nautical inspired lighting designs at Capitol Lighting online or in one of our retail showrooms nationwide.

Gas-powered furnaces are extremely efficient and reliable sources of heat. Some homeowners worry about the safety of these appliances, but the truth is that today’s are built with much better technology that significantly reduces the risk of gas leaks and similar problems. However, one component of your furnace that you do need to be aware of is the heat exchanger. Cracks along this component are a concern and require the immediate attention of a professional, such as any member of our team.

The heat exchanger’s role is to collect the hot combustion gas from the burner and transfer the heat to its metal walls, where it transfers to the current of air from the blower. This keeps fumes from the combustion gas away from the air that moves into the ventilation system, reducing your exposure to said fumes. Once the combustion gas cools, then it vents out of the heat exchange and safely up the exhaust flue, and out of your home.

Gas furnaces do not use water, but corrosion and rust can still occur. This is because they are a natural reaction between metal and combustion gas. When corrosion begins to form on an aging furnace, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to start thinking about a replacement. However, if your furnace is on the newer side, then you could have a problem with proper exhaust venting, which can cause corrosion on the exchanger—weakening it until it cracks.

What happens when your heat exchanger cracks? Well, it will start to leak combustion gas into the furnace cabinet, and this is where the danger lies when using a gas furnace. Carbon monoxide gas has a high toxicity and potential to make you and your family very ill. To be on the safe side, if you see any signs of corrosion on your furnace whatsoever, it is best to call in our professionals for inspection.