When Should You Schedule Professional Electrical Wiring Services?

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.

AngiesList Super Service Award Winner

AngiesList Super Service

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.

Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical

4925 Sepulveda Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

www.KilowattAC.com

Re-Wiring Your Home

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.