Adding Outlets to Your Home: Permits, Circuits and Cost Factors
Adding an outlet is usually simple for an electrician, but it needs a permit and a circuit that can carry the load. Here is what decides the price and when you need a new circuit.
Should I Replace My Fuse Box With a Breaker Panel?
Fuses still protect circuits when they are the right size, but most fuse boxes are small, old and hard to expand. Here is when replacing one makes sense.
Why Is My Outlet or Light Switch Warm? When to Worry
A dimmer that feels slightly warm can be normal. An outlet or ordinary switch that is warm or hot is not. Here is how to tell the difference and what to do.
Two-Prong Outlets: Your Safe Options for Updating Them
Two-prong outlets mean the circuit likely has no ground wire. Here are the three safe ways to update them, and the one common fix that is not safe.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements for Colorado Homes
Where smoke and CO alarms go in a Colorado home, when Colorado law requires CO alarms, and when hardwired, interconnected alarms are needed.
Is a Whole-Home Surge Protector Worth It?
For most homes with expensive electronics, smart appliances, an EV charger or a heat pump, a whole-home surge protector is worth it. Here is what it does, what it doesn’t do, and how it works with plug-in strips.
Why Did My Outlet Stop Working? What to Check First
An outlet that suddenly goes dead is usually on a tripped GFCI, a tripped breaker or a wall switch. Here is the safe order to check, and the signs that mean you should stop and call an electrician.
Do I Need a Transfer Switch for a Portable Generator?
If you want to power your home’s circuits from a portable generator, yes: it has to connect through a power inlet and a transfer switch or a listed interlock. Here is why, what each option does, and what never to do.
Can I Use a Tesla Wall Connector With Any EV?
It depends on which Wall Connector. Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector has both a Tesla (NACS) plug and a built-in J1772 adapter, so it charges most EVs. Here is how to choose a home charger that fits the cars you have now and next.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Level 2 EV Charger?
The price of a Level 2 home charger install depends mostly on how far the charger is from your panel, whether your panel has room, and the charger you choose. Here is what drives the cost in Loveland and Northern Colorado.