FAQs

Q? Why should I use Wired Up Electrical?: A.

Our company is known for its commitment to providing the highest level of quality workmanship. We are well respected by our customers and business partners. We have all of the proper licenses and insurance to operate and provide electrical services within the state of Virginia. We have excellent quality minded electricians who continually maintain and improve their knowledge through training so they are up to date on the latest code changes and industry technology. Our electricians must pass a thorough background check and drug screening before they can work for us. We show up at the correct time and respect your home, by cleaning up after our work is complete. Our company believes in supporting and building our community and demonstrate this by supporting initiatives that contribute to our community. The best compliment that we can get from a customer is a referral, which is our measure of success!
Q? Do you give free estimates?: A.

Yes, our estimates are always free. However, estimates are different from a service call (request for electrical repair), which would incur our standard hourly rate. Service calls are charged at a minimum 1-hour increment. There are times where the service call would be less than the standard 1-hour minimum, however this is at the discretion of our electrician.
Q? What is the most energy efficient lighting for my home?: A.

The most energy efficient lighting available today is LED. Until recently, the cost of LED lighting has been high. Continued development in LED technology has allowed the costs to drop significantly over the past few months. By switching over to LED, you are able to recoup costs (through energy savings) in a short amount of time. The best part is that you can do a few at time, as your budget allows. We advise customers to start with areas where lights are used most frequently such as the kitchen and main living areas, afterwards move on to the less used areas and enjoy the savings along the way! There are limitless types of applications where LED lighting can be used and customers have so many options for customizing the ambiance of their environment. If you are overwhelmed or confused about where to start or which option is best, call us for help, we can perform an evaluation of your home and provide you with recommendations that will save you money and improve your environment and reduce your energy costs!
Q? How many smoke detectors do I need in my house?: A.

Per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there must be 1 smoke detector on every floor, 1 on the inside of every bedroom, within 15 feet of the outside of every bedroom door, any walk-up attic and in the basement.
Q? Am I responsible for the service cable and meter box?: A.

Yes, you are responsible for the equipment connected to everything downstream (after) the electric company's equipment, this includes the service cable and meter box.
Q? Is knob and tube wiring safe?: A.

You will typically find knob and tube wiring in houses built between 1880-1945 and it is now obsolete and is prohibited in any new construction. The wiring itself, is not dangerous. Things like the age of wiring, modifications, insulation that envelops the wiring and the fact that it does not have a ground wire are where the dangers arise. Insurance may also be more difficult or costly on a home with knob and tube wiring.
Q? Why do my fuses blow or breakers trip so often?: A.

This is usually to an overload on the circuit. If you are trying to use more than one high voltage appliance on the same circuit, the fuse/breaker senses a problem with the circuit and creates a break or interruption in the circuit. This is what they were designed to do, and protects your home from a fire due to an overloaded circuit. Sometimes, the problem can be due to a problem with your device. Try spreading out the electrical demand on the circuit by using the appliance at a different outlet which that is not on the same circuit. If this does not resolve your problem and the same circuit continues to experience problems, contact a qualified electrician to further examine the problem.
Q? My lights blink sometimes, why does this happen?: A.

There are several reasons that could cause this, you may need more branch circuits throughout the house or you may have loose connections in the breaker box, meter box or throughout the house. These could potentially cause a fire and should be evaluated by a trained electrician.
Q? My lights flicker when my air conditioner cycles on, is this normal?: A.

Yes, this is common. When a large motor turns on, there is a momentary drop in voltage which may cause your lights to flicker. This occurrence does not negatively affect the electrical service or equipment within your home.
Q? What should I do if my lights/switches do not work?: A.

If the problem is limited to one area/room within your home, first disconnect any devices that may have caused an overload on the circuit. Next, check to see if there are any GFCI outlets/switches or breakers that need to be reset. If, after resetting, you are not able to resolve the problem, call us to troubleshoot the problem safely.
Q? What is a GFCI device or breaker?: A.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), is a device that protects you from electrical shock. When it detects resistance in a circuit, it turns the circuit off to protect you from injury. Per National Electrical Code (NEC), a GFCI outlet is required in the garage (with some exceptions), bathroom, kitchen, within 6-feet of any sink and also for outdoor outlets.