When Should I Replace My Whole-House Generator?

October 10th, 2022
generator-residential

A whole-house generator can be a literal life-saver for a home during an extended power outage. If you have a whole-house generator, you want to know that you can trust it to work when necessary.

Since no mechanical device can last forever, you might wonder when you’ll need to have your older generator replaced. This is tricky because you don’t use the generator often—in fact, you hope you don’t have to use it at all—and so it’s difficult to determine when it’s declining. 

We’ll look into the question of when to replace a whole-house generator, and when it’s better to arrange for generator repair in Clarence, NY with our electricians.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on When Should I Replace My Whole-House Generator?

Looking Closer Into Circuit Breakers

September 26th, 2022
panel-replacement

One of the most important jobs we do for our many customers is replacing indoor electrical panels in Buffalo, NY and throughout Western New York. Too many homes have outdated electrical panels, or even ones that were never safe in the first place. There are also older homes in the area that still use fuse boxes rather than a circuit breaker panel. We also handle replacing electrical panels that have sustained damage and are no longer reliable or safe.

Today we want to look in more depth at the circuit breakers in your electrical panels. Please note that this isn’t a DIY guide: you shouldn’t attempt to repair or replace any circuit breaker yourself, as this can create major hazards. Always trust licensed professionals like us. We’re offering this information to help you understand circuit breaker problems and when you’ll need to call for assistance.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Looking Closer Into Circuit Breakers

What to Do in a Power Outage

September 12th, 2022
flashlight

We often talk about the importance of installing whole-house generators. There’s no better way to avoid the serious problems of an extended loss of power to your home than having a permanent backup generator to take over. With enough fuel (easy if your generator runs on natural gas), you can make it through many days without trouble keeping your family safe, your HVAC system running, your refrigerator working, and any vital medical equipment powered. 

But you may not have a generator (at least, not yet), and we have some recommendations on what to do in case your home suffers from an extended power outage.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on What to Do in a Power Outage

Do I Need GFCI Outlets for My House?

August 15th, 2022
GFCI outlet

If you’re asking this question, it probably means that you know what GFCI outlets look like and you know your home doesn’t have them.

The simple answer to the question is “yes.” You don’t need these outlets in every room (in fact, we don’t recommend that), but they are important safety devices to have in some key rooms such as the kitchen and bathrooms.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Do I Need GFCI Outlets for My House?

Get the Most Use From Ceiling Fans in the Heat

August 1st, 2022
ceiling-fan-wooden

We know that using a fan can’t work as effectively at cooling as a modern air conditioning system, but they still can help—especially if the fan is a well-installed ceiling fan.

Ceiling fans not only blow air around, but they also create better circulation of air throughout a large space. This isn’t something you’ll get from a floor fan or desk fan. Ceiling fans also have the benefit of not taking up any floor or desk space and having an attractive look that becomes part of a room’s decor. 

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Get the Most Use From Ceiling Fans in the Heat

Outdated Wiring Systems We Recommend Changing

July 18th, 2022
electric-house-rewire

We offer many important services to upgrade the electrical systems of homes throughout Western New York. Since the area has so many vintage homes, there’s a large number of houses with wiring decades out of date. Not only do these antiquated wiring systems have trouble handling modern electrical loads, they can create fire hazards.

If you have a home built before 1980, we recommend contacting our electricians to inspect your house and see if you need electrical wiring and rewiring in Depew, NY. 

There are two specific cases of outdated wiring common in New York that we recommend fully upgrading: aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube wiring.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Outdated Wiring Systems We Recommend Changing

Ways to Tell Your Electrical Panel Has Damage

July 4th, 2022
outlet-with-scorch-marks

One of the most important jobs we take on as electricians is replacing electrical panels in Orchard Park, NY and elsewhere in our service area. Panels are the central “switching station” for a home’s electrical system: this is where the incoming current divides into the various circuits for the rest of the building. As residential electrical usage increases, old panels become obsolete and need upgrades. 

But panel age isn’t the only reason you may need to have a panel replacement (or in some cases panel repairs). A damaged panel requires professional assistance right away or your home may face serious electrical hazards or a loss of power.

How can you determine if you have a damaged electrical panel? We’ll guide you through the major signs below.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Ways to Tell Your Electrical Panel Has Damage

Tips to Reduce Energy Use to Avoid Power Outages This Summer

June 20th, 2022
checkmark-green

Western New York can suffer from long-term power outages and blackouts during the summer. This is a period when the strain on the electrical grid soars as people use air conditioning systems more. Unless a home has an electric water heater, the air conditioner is the appliance that consumes the most electricity. 

As electricians in Amherst, NY with a long history in the area, we know plenty about electrical use in summer. We want to help you reduce your summer electrical consumption so you can help the grid stay healthy for everyone and avoid outages and blackouts. 

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Tips to Reduce Energy Use to Avoid Power Outages This Summer

Why Your Circuit Breakers Might Keep Tripping

June 6th, 2022
electrician-working-on-circuit-breaker-panel

If you’re like many homeowners, you may not realize just how important circuit breakers in Buffalo, NY are to the safety and efficacy of your entire electrical system. Your circuit breaker panel, also known as an electrical panel, protects your wiring and electrical components from power surges and other wiring issues that could lead to blackouts, electrocution, or even fire.

Circuit breakers are not immune to damage themselves though, and when they’re frequently tripping, it’s a sign of an issue that needs to be repaired. Read on as we uncover what might be happening when your circuit breakers keep tripping.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Why Your Circuit Breakers Might Keep Tripping

6 Signs Your Whole-House Generator Needs Repairs

May 23rd, 2022

We strongly advise our customers to install a whole-house generator to protect their homes in case of extended blackouts. When one of these generators receives the proper care, it can defend a home from long-term power losses for years and provide peace of mind even when the generator isn’t in use.

You may need to schedule generator repair in Buffalo, NY at some point to ensure your whole-house generator is ready to work when you need it. This presents a bit of a dilemma: you don’t run your generator often, so how can you tell when it needs repairs?

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on 6 Signs Your Whole-House Generator Needs Repairs