Essential Electrical Services Amarillo Homeowners Need
The City of Amarillo abides by the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. This means that all buildings, including residences, must follow the NEC standard. If you have a new home under construction, then it needs to comply with this requirement.
Aside from new homes, you must also follow the adopted NEC if you plan to build an extension. These include detached structures, such as a garage.
Aside from new wiring, here are other common electrical services that you may need.
Rewiring an Older Home
In the US, more than half of all occupied homes have been around for at least four decades. If your Amarillo house is one of these, then you likely need to rewire your home. This is especially true if your property still uses a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panel.
FPE panels were among the most common electrical panels used in the US from 1960 to 1985. However, studies found that millions of these products were defective. So much so that experts believe they're behind some 2,800 house fires that occur in the country each year.
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Suppose you don't have an FPE panel, but your current circuit breaker only has a 60-amp rating. Note that these breakers are still quite common in older homes across Amarillo.
In this case, you need to upgrade your electrical panel to at least a 100-amp service one. For starters, this is the minimum allowed for smaller homes in The Yellow Rose of Texas. However, if you have a bigger home, then you need at least a 200-amp service panel.
You also need to upgrade if you plan to buy and use more appliances and electronics. The more electricity-powered gadgets you have, the bigger the service panel you need. Otherwise, your outdated and low-amp panel won't be able to support your devices.
Making the Switch to LED
According to the Amarillo Gazette, Texas had over 140 energy-efficiency incentives in 2019. The great news is that these are still available to consumers this 2020.
You may be able to qualify for these incentives by going full-on LED. LED lights have an energy-to-light conversion rate of 90%. They also have a rated lifespan of at least 25,000 hours, so they outlive Edison bulbs at least 25 times.
Before you change all your old light bulbs, though, make sure your sockets are compatible. Not all LED products work on older light fixtures and lamp sockets. To ensure lighting safety and compatibility, consider hiring an electrician.
Electrical Repairs
Lights that constantly flicker are a strong indicator that you need electrical repairs. You may have faulty connections, or you might be overloading your electrical panel. The latter means that you have too many appliances, and your panel can no longer support all of them.
Burned or dead wall outlets also warrant electrical repairs. Scorch marks may occur if you plug in a modern appliance into a low-amperage outlet. Dead outlets, in turn, often result from faulty or overly worn wiring.
You should also get all your loose outlets repaired ASAP, as they may still contain live wires. They may appear to be dead, but that's only because their holes have become too big. The enlarged holes may hinder connections, so anything you plug in them may not work.
Loose outlets can be just as dangerous as burned outlets, as the former can build up a lot of heat. If this happens, the outlet can overheat to the point that it can create a fire risk. So, make sure that you have a licensed Amarillo electrician fix these as soon as possible.
Local and State Requirements for Electricians in Amarillo
In Amarillo, electrical contractors must carry a state-issued license. In addition, they must register with the City of Amarillo itself. They also need to meet the minimum state-required general liability insurance.
Do note that the State of Texas only issues licenses to electricians who pass the licensure exam. What's more, these tests are difficult, with a pass rate ranging from 26% to 40%. That's why only the most knowledgeable and skilled electricians get to qualify.
