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Click here to learn more about Knob & Tube wiring and what to do if you find it in your home. Contact the professionals at Berkeley Electric today to learn more about our services.

Where Recessed Lighting Works Best

There's no overstating the advantages of modern electric remodels! Contact Berkeley Electric if you're interested in exploring this innovative process.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at the Same Time

And How to Choose the Right Light for Your Space

Whether you’re a home or business owner, you probably want to do whatever you can to save money. So, that may mean that you take on DIY projects on your own. While DIY projects can sometimes save you money, the opposite can be true when it comes to complicated electrical issues. And not only can DIY electrical projects be more expensive without help from a professional, but they can be extremely unsafe. Below are just a few situations where we strongly recommend that you call us for professional service. Rewiring Old wiring can create many problems throughout a home or business. You may experience blown fuses, frequently blown bulbs, sparks from outlets, flickering lights, or even burning smells. Wiring a home is a complicated process that needs to be up to code, and it can be unsafe if performed by someone who isn’t trained to do so. Any rewiring needs to be completed by a professional. Knob & Tube Wiring Knob and tube wiring is very common in homes built during the late 1800s and early 1900s, especially in and around the Berkeley area. If this wiring is used in your home, you should always call professional electrical contractors. Panel Upgrades Electrical panels have a direct role in how the electricity in your home or business performs. If your electricity cuts out, lights appear very dimmed, or lights constantly flicker, there could be an issue with the panel. Your panel may not be able to support your electrical needs. Panel upgrades should also be completed by a professional. Electrical Renovations A job to this degree requires someone with first-hand professional experience. Based on the nature of this project alone, calling a professional electrical contractor should be your first and only option. Berkeley Electric offers residential and commercial electrical services throughout the Bay Area. As best practice, it’s a good idea to contact us for electrical services if you feel uncomfortable with completing the work on your own. Give us a call today to get started.

A problem with your electrical system could bring your whole house down, or at least limit your ability to stay comfortable and do whatever you want in your home. It’s inevitable that you’ll run into an electrical issue at some point in your home. So, what are the most common electrical issues you might encounter in your home? Blown Fuses Using the many different electrical devices you might have in your home all at once could lead to a problem with your system. By overloading your system, you could end up with a blown fuse or tripped breaker that takes out the power in your home. This is the result of a large amount of electricity being used all at once. You can prevent this by limiting the number of electrical devices you use at one time. You could also schedule an inspection of your home’s system to make sure it’s up to the challenge. Fire Hazards If your electrical system is not up to code or wired improperly, it may result in a fire hazard that puts you and your home in danger. Worn wiring could easily catch on fire if it’s not addressed. An overworked system may also be unable to handle the stress and start sparking if there’s an issue with the wiring or outlet. Also, there may be external factors that could cause problems for your electrical system, such as water near wiring or clothing or blankets that may catch on fire near faulty wiring. Power’s Out If you don’t have a backup generator, you may be at risk of losing power on those rare occasions where a bad storm or an accident happens. You should have a backup power source ready to go if or when the power goes out, to keep you safe. Turn to the Experts For all your residential electrical concerns, give Berkeley Electric a call. We offer electrical repair and installation services for homeowners in Berkeley, CA. Our expert electrical contractor can help with issues like electrical rewiring, panel upgrades, electrical repair, knob & tube wiring, and more. Contact Berkeley Electric today.

The wiring in your home is likely something you never, ever think about unless there’s a problem that impacts your electrical system. But there’s an underlying risk to having old electrical wiring that hasn’t been updated in a while. Wiring that is old and outdated poses a safety risk to your property. It also limits the efficiency of the current electrical system in your home, causing everything to run more slowly while raising your electric bills. Learn more about the most important reasons to have the wiring in your home updated by a trusted residential electrician. Keep Your Home Safe Older wiring that may have been installed more than 40 years ago poses a safety risk for your home and the people in it. Older wiring is one of the leading causes of residential fires. This is because the older wires are more likely to become frayed, hot, and cracked, increasing the chances that your wiring may catch fire. Older wiring can also cause tripped breakers and blown fuses, which can also result in fires. If you smell smoke or notice burn marks near outlets or wiring, you can’t wait any longer to have your wiring updated. Another common problem that poses a safety hazard for your home is wiring that is not properly grounded. As electricity flows through your wiring, it needs a safe place to be released. If your wiring is not properly grounded, it leaves the potential for power surges that can damage your devices, as well as electrical shocks if people come in contact with electricity as it flows through your wiring. Make sure your wiring is properly grounded and you have up-to-date equipment to properly handle flowing electricity, including surge protectors. Power Up Your Home If you have older wiring and electrical equipment, it may not be able to handle the amount of power needed to keep all the modern devices in your home running efficiently. Older wiring is designed to handle power for older devices. Today’s appliances often require more juice. We also rely on far more electrical devices today than we did in the past, especially mobile devices. If you don’t update the wiring in your home, you may not be able to adequately power these devices. Older wiring will not deliver the power you need and result in everything running more slowly and less efficiently. Lower Your Electric Bills The proper wiring in your home can help you lower your electric bills because it can help your electrical system run much more efficiently and not be overwhelmed. Newer wiring can reduce the amount of time it takes to run electricity through your system and requires less electricity to run the devices and appliances in your home. The result is a lower electric bill. Updating the wiring in your home ensures safety, efficiency, affordability, and peace of mind. If you need to adapt the wiring in your home to the advanced equipment and usage of modern times, give Berkeley Electric a call. We are trusted for reliable home rewiring services in Berkeley, CA. Call us if you notice warning signs with your electrical wiring or you just want more efficiency to ensure your wiring can handle your newer devices and appliances. Call Berkeley Electric today for an inspection of your electrical system or to schedule a residential rewiring!