Frequently Asked Questions
I just got home and have no power. What should I do?
Call the power company and ask whether there is an outage in your area. If there is no power outage, check the breaker panel to see if the main breaker is tripped. If so, reset it by turning it completely off and then back on. If it holds and the power comes on, you should be all set. If it does not reset or hold once reset, leave it alone and call us.
Can a ceiling fan be installed where there is a light now?
No, in most cases a special fan box must be installed first. Call us for assistance.
Can I dim a fluorescent lamp?
Only if the lamp is designed to be dimmed. Check with the manufacturer for this information.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Our estimates are always free.
Does your work come with a warranty?
Yes, we provide a one year warranty on all materials and workmanship.
What is a GFI or GFCI?
Ground fault interrupters or ground fault circuit interrupters are found in breakers and receptacles. These are installed in areas in the home where water is present or could be, such as bathroom, kitchen, laundry, garage, basement and exterior. (See the following question on how to reset.)
I have no power in my bathroom and/or kitchen. What should I do?
First, look for buttons on the receptacles. If your rooms are up to code, the outlets will have a ground fault interrupter (GFI) and you can push the buttons to reset.
If the power does not come back on, check the breaker in the main panel. Reset the breaker by switching it completely off and then back on. If you still have no power, call us. Note: Manufacturer specifications recommend testing each GFI receptacle once a month.
Does surge protection work?
Yes, it is a great tool to protect your electronic equipment. A device can be installed in the panel on an individual circuit with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source). Contact us for suggestions on how to protect your equipment at home or in the office.
How often should I replace the batteries in my smoke detectors?
Batteries should be replaced once a year. Also, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years or per manufacturer’s specifications. Combination smoke and CO photoelectric units are only good for 5 years. The photoelectric units also have batteries that need to be replaced once a year. Check the manufacture’s website for more information.
Do all fluorescent lamps have to be recycled?
Yes. Contact the Chittenden Solid Waste District for more information.
My screw-in fluorescent lights are flickering when I turn them on. What's wrong?
First check to see if they are on a dimmer or fan control. These lights are not dimmable and most cannot be used on a fan control, so they will need to be changed. Check the manufacturer's specifications.
I see a lot of displays with LED (light emitting diode) lamps. What are they best used for?
Parking garage, interstate tunnels, areas where bulb changes are difficult to access and need lifts to service, and are on 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Would you recommend LED lamps in the home? If so, where?
We recommend these for areas where the lights are on for a long period of time, such as hallways, kitchen, outside flood lights if left on all night, and to light up artwork (LED lamps emit no UV or IR radiation).
How expensive are LED lamps?
LED lamp prices are slowly coming down, but lamp pricing depends on lamp style and quality. A higher quality LED lamp will offer 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Check with Efficiency Vermont for approved lamp manufacturers.
(802) 985-3433
Serving residential and commercial customers in the
Burlington area, throughout Vermont, and in northern New York State.