Everything You Need To Know About Electrical IN Edmonton
With over 20 years of experience in residential, commercial and service electrical in Edmonton, we’re here to serve our local community and area, and it starts with educating our clients on exactly what we do here at Lights Out Electric. In today’s blog, we’re going to focus our efforts on residential, leaving commercial and service for another day. We’ll be answering the most frequently asked questions we’ve found from homeowners and Edmontonians.
What Does A Residential Electrician Do?
At Lights Out electric, what we mainly do as residential electricians (when we’re not completing commercial or service jobs) is install, maintain, inspect, and repair writing, electrical systems, and other electrical components.
Some of the typical tasks we complete in a day include:
Reading and interpreting technical drawing and blueprint of the home we’re in.
Inspecting, fixing, or repairing electrical components to ensure they work correctly and safely.
Upkeep on your home’s electrical systems
Diagnosing problems or safety concerns with your current wiring and electrical systems, then fixing those problems before they become a larger concern.
Replacing old or broken electrical components.
Making sure your home is up to code with the Edmonton and Canadian regulations for homeowners.
What Does A Residential Electrician Charge Per Hour?
We believe we’re one of the more affordable electricians in Edmonton, but residential electricians typically cost anywhere from $65-$130 per hour. For electricians that charge per project, the average electrical project is about $400, with a typical range being $200-650, depending on the size of the project.
Outside of hourly rates and project rates, you will also have to consider some other charges, including distance travelled, accessibility, experience.
How Much Do Residential Electricians Make In Edmonton?
On average, Electricians make around $30 an hour in Edmonton, with a broader range, depending on experience and training, falling between $20 - $40 an hour, with an average salary of $76,000.
For more information on salaries, check out this post on Indeed or this informative post on the alis.alberta site.
How Do You Become A Residential Electrician?
Electricians start out as apprentices, but before you can start as an apprentice, and before an employer will sign you on as an apprentice, you do need some previous training in the trade. There are some institutions, trade schools, and colleges that will train you in the trade, so that you can get hired on as an apprentice. From there, it takes four or five years to become a fully qualified journeyman level.
What projects do residential electricians handle?
Residential electricians handle anything and everything to do with your home, including spec houses, custom homes, home renovations, lighting upgrades, safety checks, and everything electrical under your roof.
A residential electrician will have an intimate understanding of your electrical components, lighting equipment, power systems, and electrical blueprints.
DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARK, YEG!
Edmonton Homeowners!
Frequently Asked Electrical Questions:
When Do I Need An Electrical Inspection In My Home?
Homes older than 30 years, any house that was recently renovated, and when there is a change in ownership, you should have a comprehensive electrical inspection completed on your home.
When you buy a home with that was previously occupied, when you have an insurance inspection, or before you start a major renovation, you’ll also want to have an electrical inspection.
What Electrical Projects Are Great To Complete During Summer and Winter?
Summer Electrical Projects:
Outdoor car heating plugs in parking lots
Driveway and sidewalk lighting
360 house lighting
Grounding wire checks
Hot tub and outdoor pool electrical systems
Outdoor appliance, barbecue, and other electrical issues
Lighting arrangement in outdoor gazebos
Outdoor receptacles inspection
Electrical troubleshooting and inspection on the outside of the house
Winter Electrical Projects
Standby generators are active and working
Testing of electrical outlets
Electrical renovations and smart homes
Interior electrical troubleshooting
Is My Home Up To Code? Common Code Violations in Edmonton Homes for YEG Homeowners
Inaccessible or hard to access electrical panels.
Unmarked sub circuits and branch circuits.
Missing 3-way switch at the top and bottom of stairs.
A branch circuit must have a maximum of 12 outlets.
Moving or modifying your electrical panel without an electrical contractor and a permit is a code violation.
Unmarked sub circuits and branch circuits.
90 centimeters or more without an outlet on a wall.
Hallways with outlets more than 4.5 meters apart.
Dryer outlets that are not 14-30R with #10/3 AWG cables.
Bathrooms without proper GFCI or AFCI.
Location of light switches within 1 meter of bath tub or shower
In garages, outlets placed more than one meter from a garage door opener and without a designated outlet for each vehicle.
Utility rooms that are not controlled by a light switch near the entrance.
Installing an inaccessible furnace disconnect switch that can’t be reached without passing the front of the furnace.
Spliced wires outside a junction box.
Outlets installed less than two meters from the floor that are not tamper resistant.
Outlets placed more than 3.6 meters apart in open rooms.
Outlets placed closer than 1.8 meters from a door or closet.
In kitchens, behind counter-top outlets more than 1.8 meters apart and more than 90 centimeters from a sink, stove or end point.
Laundry rooms without their own designated outlet.
Why are my house lights flickering?
Your lights flickering may not indicate a serious electrical issue. There might be a simpler reason for them flickering, like the bulb is loose in the holder or socket.
If you’ve installed decorative lights anywhere, don’t worry! Decorative lights normally flicker.
A clue that it might be a more serious problem is if your lights flicker only when other appliances are on.
If so, give us a call!
How can I save on my monthly electrical bill?
One of the most common electrical questions we get from homeowners concerned about their monthly electric bills.
Here’s a few ways you can save money on your electric bill:
Install fans throughout your home to circulate air and keep your home cool
Only wash full loads when using your washing machine
Wash those loads in cold water, if you can help it
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater slightly
Turn off the heat dry on your dishwasher
Add trees and landscape to shield your home from the sun
Switch your lights to LEDs
Change your HVAC system fitters and schedule yearly HVAC maintenance
Eliminate phantom loads on your electrical appliances
Keep your freezer and fridge full
Install dimmer switches on all your lights
Get an energy audit from your friendly Edmonton electrician, like Lights Out Electric
What is a smart home and do residential electricians handle it?
A smart home is when you can control all your appliances, thermostats, lights, and other devices from a single point, like a smartphone or a tablet. With a single point of control, you’ll have cost savings and all-access convenience.
What are common household appliances and electrical systems we can convert to a smart home?
Lighting systems
Outdoor and indoor cameras and monitors
Outdoor and indoor locks
An emergency response system
Internal heating and A/C
Clocks and information systems
Electronic display frames and others displays
Entertainment and audio systems
All kitchen appliances
Blinds and curtains
Doorbells
Does LightS OUT Electric Offer 24/7 Electrical Service In My Area?
We’re glad you asked! It’s our commitment to the Edmonton area that no one gets left int he dark.
We provide 24/7 emergency service, regardless of the size of your electrical emergency.