Traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy to produce light.
The kicker is that 90% of the energy is given off as heat.
That lost energy is like money thrown in the garbage. There are a few different types of energy-saving lightbulbs that provide the same brightness choices and colors you've come to expect.
The light emitting diode (LED) are my favorite for home applications. Although once known
mainly for indicator and traffic lights, LEDs in white light, general
illumination applications are one of today's most energy-efficient and
rapidly-developing technologies. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only
20% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the
traditional incandescent bulbs they replace. Twenty five times longer!!! That's astounding.
Retrofitting the recessed lights in your Los Angeles
home or business can save you money over time on energy and light bulb replacements. A lot of money.
LED bulbs are currently available in many products such as
replacements for 40W, 60W, and 75W traditional incandescents, reflector
bulbs often used in recessed fixtures, and small track lights. While
LEDs are more expensive at this early stage, they still save money
because they last a long time and have very low energy use. As with
other electronics, prices are expected to come down as more products
enter the market.
Joe, from Kilowatt, upgrades the lighting for a terrific school in North Hollywood.
One hundred years ago homes were electrified with ungrounded cloth-covered wire. The connections inside the walls were not contained. Every time I look at wiring like this I am grateful for the electrical codes we have today that keep families so much safer.
We are working on a beautiful historical home with gorgeous vaulted ceilings. There was access for rewiring so we had a challenge on our hands. See how we successfully pulled new safe modern wire in a way that kept the integrity of this architecturally significant house.
I recommend an electrical inspection of your home if you’ve added substantial new loads (such as high-wattage appliances) since your home was built, or if you detect any warning signs of wiring problems. Here are some warning signs that may indicate you have a problem with your electrical wiring:
Breakers and Fuses Go Out Regularly
Dimming and Flickering Lights
Buzzing, Charred, or Discolored Outlets and Switches
Burning Smell
Shocking Switches and Outlets
Cloth Wiring Should Be Inspected
It takes the knowledge and know–how of a trained professional to ensure that your electrical wiring system is well planned out. Even more important, though, is ensuring that the execution of your electrical wiring or home rewiring in Los Angeles, CA is completed properly every step of the way. This will only be the case when you work with a skilled electrician that you can trust.
But how will you know? You want to make sure that any electrical contractor you hire is properly licensed by the Contractors State Licensing Board. They should also carry full liability and workers compensation insurance. All contractors are required to carry workers compensation for their employees. Anyone who ignores that rule governing their trade can be expected to cut corners in all aspects of their business. A contractor who follows the rules governing his insurance and licensing obligations is more likely to ensure that your electrical system will be up to code and safe to use for you and your family.
Kilowatt
Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical of Sherman Oaks, California
has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service
Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of
the consumer review service in 2013.
“We work hard to provide our customers with the best service, safety and savings possible in our industry,” says Dean Gilford the president of Kilowatt. “Angieslist is purely customer reviews. It feels good to know that our efforts are appreciated by our customers so much that we are being recognized with this award.”
Kilowatt has more than 55 reviews on Angieslist and it seems that customers are very appreciative of the efforts made by Mr. Gilford and his team of background checked, drug tested, and professionally trained employees.
John S. had a new HVAC system designed and installed by Kilowatt. "The entire experience with Kilowatt was extremely positive, He says. "Their level of professionalism and expertise is outstanding. From the spec’ing of the system to the commissioning, to the friendly and knowledgeable office/business communications, they provided the utmost in skill and efficiency. The team’s coordination in the whole process was flawless. Their project management, client interface, execution, and follow through serve as a model for all construction industry professionals. This is a well-synchronized firm with superb products, service, and client communication. We recommend them highly!”
“Only about 5 percent of the companies Kilowatt competes with in Los Angeles, California are able to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a mark of consistently great customer service.”
2013 Award Requirements
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2013 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, have a fully complete profile, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2013 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on Angieslist.com
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Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to healthcare. More than 2 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List Magazine and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.
Remember these? It’s an original electrical fuse box from the 1920′s.
I went on a call yesterday to a beautiful Spanish style home in West
Hollywood. Everything was original, the fireplace tiles, the light
fixtures. It was gorgeous.
Electrical Wiring
Original 1920′s design is a feast for the
eyes but original wiring in Los Angeles is a scary fire hazard. I’m so glad the woman
who owns the home called me. I’ve been an electrician for 25 years. I
specialize in older homes, so I know how to re-wire her home and bring
the electrical system up to current safety standards without
compromising the design integrity.
When I looked in the electrical
circuit box I saw 12 gauge electrical wire attached to an over-sized 30
amp fuse. I understood immediately what happened, “The fuse kept blowing
and the nice person at the hardware store gave you a bigger fuse, a 30
amp instead of a 20 amp, right?” The homeowner, Shirley, nodded her
head. “Your fuse stopped blowing but you overloaded the wiring in your
home.” I explained.
Cloth Wiring
The cloth covering on the wiring is brittle
and frayed. Instead of an incandescent light bulb the homeowner has
been using a much hotter halogen bulb in her sconces. Yikes!
Electrical Components
The drip loops, which is the wiring that connects the DWP utility
line to the home, were completely bare. All protective covering was
disintegrated. If they get wet or there is arching it is a fire hazard.
Electrical Contractor
The wiring was scary but what really horrified me was the other
estimate Shirley had gotten from another company to fix her electrical
problems. The company had nothing but a business license. The person who
bid her job was a handyman. He wasn’t a licensed electrical contractor,
like I am. He wasn’t even a general building contractor, which I also
hold a license for. He was a handyman who had the arrogance to present
himself as someone qualified to re-wire Shirley’s home. That kind of
dishonesty puts Shirley’s safety at risk. Especially because he gave her
a choice to do the job piecemeal. To save money he would have attached
new wiring to an old antiquated fuse box. That really bothered me.
You can’t pick and choose whether or not to properly install
electrical wiring, everything needs to be brought up to current
electrical code. And for good reason; Safety!
GFI outlets, for instance are required in the bathrooms and kitchens.
It’s not a choice because there is a danger of someone with wet hands
touching the outlet and water becoming a conduit for electricity. The
Ground Fault Interrupter, GFI, that is built into some outlets
immediately stops the flow of electricity to save people from being
electrocuted. It’s all about safety. When I deal with electricity in
someone’s home it’s ALL about safety.
In any case the job went well. Shirley's beautiful West Hollywood home is properly re-wired.
The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is being sponsored this week by one of the most highly regarded electricians in Los Angeles. Dean Gilford, the owner operator of Kilowatt Electric, Heating and Air is hosting guest speaker Jackie Lacey who is running for District Attorney.
The business development lunch is a gathering of local business owners who are active in the community. Come join us and meet your neighbors.
WHAT IS CHARGE UP LA?
Charge Up LA! is the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s
(LADWP’s) new EV home charger rebate program that will provide a
rebate for the installation of a residential electric vehicle charger to
LADWP customers who purchase a qualifying electric vehicle.
WHAT IS THE REBATE AMOUNT?
LADWP will reimburse out-of-pocket expenses up to $2,000, depending on
the type of charger and related equipment installed, after other rebates
or incentives are deducted. Rebates are available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR A REBATE?
There are just a few steps to qualify for Charge Up LA! rebates:
• You must be a LADWP residential customer or live in the same
household as an LADWP customer
• The charger must be a Level 2 charger with the SAE J1772
charging plug.
• The charger must be located within the LADWP service area with a
qualifying EV registered to the same address
• If the charger is installed in a multi-family complex, you must certify
that you have permission from the property manager or owner to
install the charger.
• You must have a Time-of-Use (TOU) meter or submeter dedicated to
monitoring the EV charger.
WHAT TYPES OF CHARGERS QUALIFY FOR THE REBATE?
Rebates will be provided for Level 2 (240 volt) chargers with the
SAE J1772 charging plug. The charger must be UL (Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc.) listed and installed by a qualified and licensed
contractor in compliance with local codes, permitting and inspection
requirements. A specific brand of charger is not required.
Prices and features of electric vehicle chargers vary, and many charger
installers will offer to handle the rebate paperwork for you. Some
charger installers have incentive money from other sources, including
the US Department of Energy (DOE). These incentives will reduce outof-
pocket costs of installing a charger, but they may include conditions,
such as data collection and monitoring. It is your decision which charger
to install to best fit your needs.
WHO WILL INSTALL MY EV CHARGER?
As the customer, you arrange for a licensed electrical contractor to install the EVcharger. The EV manufacturer or charger vendor will often arrange for
installation. LADWP will not install the charger units. Customers may also
install their own charger, but please note that the Charge Up LA! rebate
will not cover the cost of installation work you do yourself.
DO I NEED A SPECIAL METER?
To qualify for the rebate, customers need to request a LADWP TOU meter
or EV submeter dedicated to each EV charger.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE REBATE?
Follow these steps to apply:
• Purchase an electric vehicle and install a qualifying Level 2 charger.
• Contact LADWP to install a dedicated TOU meter or submeter for
the charger. For meter service call 1-866-484-0433.
• Download the rebate application from our website:
www.ladwp.com/ev. You may also call 1-866-484-0433 and have an
application mailed to you.
• Review the rebate application, including the terms and conditions, to
confirm your eligibility for the rebate.
• Complete the application, including your signature and the date
• Mail the application and supporting information to:
LADWP Electric Vehicle Processing Center
P.O. Box 51111, Room 940
Los Angeles, CA 90051-0100
• Applications must be postmarked within 180 days of completing the
charger installation or purchase of the electric vehicle, whichever
is later.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET A PERMIT FOR AN EV
CHARGER INSTALLATION?
LADWP has partnered with the City of Los Angeles Building and Safety
Department to streamline the process of providing electric service for
residential EV chargers - the “7-Day Permit-to-Plug” Program. Per the
program, basic installations will be completed within seven days.
Building and Safety offers an on-line permit process; please see
https://www.permitla.org. Requests meeting the criteria are approved
immediately. Electrical panel upgrades, separate service requests, or
other issues may delay the process. The 7-day timeline begins when
the customer contacts LADWP after receiving the permit from Building
and Safety.
DOES IT MATTER IF I HAVE A PLUG-IN HYBRID OR A
BATTERY-ELECTRIC CAR?
The Charge Up LA! rebate will be available to LADWP customers who
install a Level 2 (240-volt) charger, no matter the make or model of
the electric vehicle provided it is new and has a factory-installed SAE
J1772 charging plug. In determining your charging needs, consider your
driving habits, the type of car you would like, and the amount of time it
will typically take to charge your car. Level 1 charging (120-volt) takes
longer, but it does not require the installation of a special charging unit if
your garage or parking area is equipped with the appropriate outlet. The
Charge Up LA! rebate does not apply to Level 1 charging.
