Frequently asked questions
Q: RG&E shut my power off. Can you turn it back on for me?
A: The first step you must take in order to have your power restored is to call RG&E at 1-800-743-2110 and ask why your electricity was shut off and what you as the customer needs to do in order to have it turned back on. If it was due to a billing issue or a past due or non payment you must work out a payment arrangement with RG&E before you do anything else. Step 2 is to call GRM Electric at 585-663-3540 and have us obtain a service request on your behalf. We can then procede with doing any repairs and getting the work inspected before having an RG&E crew come and reconnect your power. Please be advised that under these circumstances and for our protection we require full payment before any work begins. We are sorry but there are no exceptions to this policy. We do accept all major credit cards and this payment method is encouraged. You may also pay cash or by check. If you pay by check no work can begin untill the check has cleared and times vary 2-3 business days depending on your banks policy so this may not be a feasible payment method if you need your electricity on that same day. We treat your power being off as an electrical emergency and will work quickly and do everything in our control to see that your power gets turned on as quickly as possible.
Q: Aluminum Wiring - Is it a fire hazzard? Should I rewire my whole house with copper wiring?
A: Many older homes were wired using aluminum wiring, There have been some house fires associated with what some people think is the wiring itself but this is false. Most of those house fires were a result of the wrong devices being connected to the aluminum wiring. A device is a plug outlet or a switch. Devices that are rated for use on copper wiring (CU Rated) should ONLY be used on copper wiring. There are devices that are rated for Aluminum only (ALR Rated) which is what is recommended in this situation. There are also devices that are rated for both (ALR) & (CU) which are ok to use on aluminum or copper wire. If a device is only rated for copper (CU) only then it should NEVER be connected to aluminum wire or it may start a fire. So the answer to the question is no you do not need to rewire your whole house you just need to have the right devices installed.
Q: GFCI Receptacles - Why do they trip?
A: GFI's are designed to measure the current on both legs of power on a device. If the current going in is any different that what is comming out then the device will shut off or trip because it detects a ground Fault. This happens so it prevents you from completing the circuit through your body to the ground and getting a possible shock. GFI's have a test button on them and should be tested monthly for proper operation. Also if you plug anything into a GFI and it trips then have whatever it is you plugged in looked at for a possible problem, A frayed cord or water getting inside the item plugged in could be a cause of the GFI tripping. DO NOT just assume the GFI is malfunctioned and plug the Item in a non GFI controlled outlet as a potential safety issue exists.
Q: Service Upgrades - If I install a 200 amp service on my house to replace the 100 amp service that is there now will it give me "More Power"and prevent fuses from blowing or circuit breakers from tripping and prevent lights from getting dim when large appliances come on?
A: No it will not! Unless it is the main breaker that is tripping you do not need to upgrade to any size service larger then what you already have to correct this type of problem. The correct way to fix circuit breakers that trip is to run new wiring of the correct size from the circuit breaker panel to the appliance that is causing that breaker to trip and install it on it's own dedicated circuit. The voltage comming out of a 200 amp service will be the same as that comming out of a 100 amp service, 120 volts. Unless you heat your home with electric heat or have 5+ tons of air conditioning in your home you do not need a 200 amp service. We will gladly install a larger service for any customer but please be advised it may not fix any existing electrical problems you may already have.
Q: I just moved into a house that a home inspector said had a circuit breaker panel that was maxed out and had multiple doubble taps in it, Do I need to upgrade to a larger amp service?
A: Depends what future loads you plan to add to the circuit breaker panel, If you are not adding any additional items and you have a 100 amp 12 space panel with multiple doubble taps a 30 space 100 amp panel can be swapped out with it and it will leave you with a few additional spaces to expand. On the other hand if you have a 100 amp panel and you plan to add a swimming pool, A hot tub, Install central air and replace your gas stove or dryer with an electric model then a 150 or 200 amp service upgrade will likely be needed for the additional current draw that these items would require.
Q: Why should I have a Generator Transfer Switch installed? Why can't I just shut off my main breaker and backfeed my portable generator directly into my circuit breaker panel using a 2 pole circuit breaker?
A: A portable generator should never be connected to your circuit breaker panel without the use of a transfer switch for a few reasons. First reason is safety. If you forgot to turn off the main breaker it would send the voltage from the generator upstream to the transformer that feeds your home and that transformer would then work in reverse sending dangerously high voltage up the line and possibly injuring or killing a linemen working on powerlines in your neighborhood. You could also cause damage to your generator should the utility power return while your generator was still connected to it or you may damage appliances or electronics in your home should your generator be producing a lower voltage from the normal because it is accidentally connected to the rest of the homes in your neighborhood and that is overloading the generator and bogging it down.
Have a Manual Generator Transfer Switch installed. It the right way, The easy way and The safe way to power your home using your portable generator.
Q: Motion lights on my house come on and go off all night for no reason even when no one is there, Why?
A: Motion lights are electronic and as with most other electronics they are very sensitive especially in the low grade designs. They pick up all sorts of interference whether it be light interference from other light fixtures or passing cars or RF interference from other nearby electronics, Radio transmitters, Cellphones, etc. Sometimes even birds, Small animals, Precipitation, or leaves could even cause undesired operation.
We don't like them period and we encourage our customers to choose an alternative control method. Photo electric eyes or photo cells such as what is used on street lighting work best. You could even pick out a fixture that takes compact fluorscent or LED bulbs that would cost only pennies a day to operate even if they were on all night long. Another option could be a timer with multiple setting to make it look as if someone is home.
Q: Light bulbs in my recessd light fixtures keep blowing out, I have replaced them multiple times is there something wrong with the the wiring?
A: Not likely, If the bulb goes on and off but is still good maybe there may be an issue with the safety overheat sensor but if the bulbs blow out there may be a number of different reasons that is not related to the wiring. Use of certin types of trims can trap in excess heat and may shorten the bulb life slightly, Small voltage spikes can also shorten bulb life. Try using extended life bulbs (130 Volt) or compact flourescent bulbs which can last 5+ years. Dimmers are also an excellent idea, Even at their highest setting they produce voltage that is slightly less then 120 volts and can extend bulb life. Compact flourescent bulbs require 120 volts at all times and should not be used if you have a dimmer.
Q: Swimming Pool Timers - If I have one installed how long will it take to pay for itself and what kind of savings can I expect to see on my electric bill?
A: The timer and installation will pay for itself in 2-3 months( Less then 1 season). Savings can vary anywhere from 50%-66% a month on your electric bill depending on your preferences and other factors.
Here are the facts. For example a typical 1 horsepower pool pump motor draws about 13.75 amps at 120 volts so 13.75 x 120 = 1650 watts or 1.65 KW. At the average price of $.10 per killowatthour that's $.17 per hour x 24 hours = $4.08 per day x 30 days = $122.40 a month to keep your pool clean if you run your filter 24 hours a day. If you run it for only 12 hours a day V.S. 24 hours you'll save about $61 a month. If you run it for 8 hours you'll save even more, $92 a month! So as you can see the savings can add up quick. The recommended average run time for a pool filter is 8-10 hours a day under normal conditions. If you run your pump 24 hours a day you are wasting energy. Have a timer installed!
Roof Heating Cables
With cold weather now here we have had some requests for roof heating cables to be installed by some customers. Unfortunately we do not install them. Insurance regulations do not allow us to work on roofs being the main reason. Reason # 2 is that roof heating cables should be a last resort when all other options to correct ice build up have not corrected the problem 100%. Using roof heating cables only covers up a major problem wasting electricity in the process. Ice builds up due to poor insulation and poor ventilation in attics. It is best to hire a company that specializes in correcting this type of problem rather then covering it up by installing roof heating cables. We can recommend some professionals for you if you are unsure of who to call.
Federal Pacific Breakers
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Circuit Breakers - Are they really a fire hazard?
Any licensed electricial contractor who has been in the business should be able to answer this question but for everyone else we have included a link below that will answer any question you have ever had about that type of circuit breaker. We at GRM Electric do not and will not sell, Replace or install new this type of circuit breaker for liability reasons, It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that if you have a Federal Pacific panel like the one in the picture that you get it replaced. If a complete service upgrade is not within your budget at least replacing the panel box would increase safety.
Here is the link http://www.inspectapedia.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm
Any licensed electricial contractor who has been in the business should be able to answer this question but for everyone else we have included a link below that will answer any question you have ever had about that type of circuit breaker. We at GRM Electric do not and will not sell, Replace or install new this type of circuit breaker for liability reasons, It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that if you have a Federal Pacific panel like the one in the picture that you get it replaced. If a complete service upgrade is not within your budget at least replacing the panel box would increase safety.
Here is the link http://www.inspectapedia.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm
Credit Card Payments
We are in the process of updating our credit card processing equipment watch for important changes in the near future. We have discontinued the online payment option at this time and apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused. We can still accept credit cards and debit cards on site at the end of a job or over the phone.
Financing
We offer special financing for a low 3% APR with low monthly payments. Borrow money to upgrade your electric service, Install ceiling fans throughout your home, Wire a finished basement or finished attic or get a bunch of little repairs taken care of. Here are a few examples. Get a brand new 100 amp service installed for only $32 a month for 36 months, Get a 150 amp service for only $36 a month or get a 200 amp service for only $39 a month! Add to any of these three. Whole house surge protection, A generator transfer switch, New outlets and switches throughout the home or any other repairs up to $3,000 for only $88 a month or less! Loans provided by third party lender and are subject to individual approval. Please inquire to take advantage of this special payment option.
