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Electrical Safety Inspections in Alexandria, LA
Most people truly don’t realize how much they rely on electricity to power their homes until there are electrical issues or city-wide power outages. Additionally, many people don’t realize just how dangerous a malfunctioning electrical system can be. That’s why scheduling occasional electrical safety inspections is so important. Not only can they prevent house fires, but they can also make sure your home’s electrical systems are functioning properly, which allows you to save energy costs in the long run.
Below, professional electrical inspectors at Lombardi Electric break down the basics of home electrical inspections, including what they are, why they’re so important for safety, and how often you should schedule them.
Call Lombardi Electric today at 318-545-7575 to take care of all your residential, commercial, and industrial electrical needs.
What is an Electrical Safety Inspection?
An electrical safety inspection occurs when an electrical inspector performs a detailed assessment of a home’s electrical system. At Lombardi Electric, we follow the National Electric Code (NEC) during all electrical home inspections to check the following criteria:
- Appropriate light bulb wattage
- Electrocution and fire hazards
- Proper operation of arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI)
- Proper light switch and electrical outlet function
- Security and safety lighting function
- Grounding system confirmation
- Proper surge protection function
- Proper placement and function of home smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Proper labeling of wires and breakers within the home’s electrical panel
- Functioning ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in kitchens and bathrooms
- Optimal functioning of circuit breakers and fuse boxes
- All unused openings within circuit breakers must be closed
Once the electrical home inspection is complete, the electrical inspector will provide the homeowner with a detailed inspection report of any electrical problems that violate legal safety standards.
What is the National Electric Code?
The National Electrical Code lists the minimum safety requirements of electrical wiring and equipment within a home or building. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) includes this code in its National Fire Codes series which gets revised every few years to make sure it lines up with all the latest electrical safety discoveries. Every licensed electrician should abide by the National Electric Code when inspecting a home.
General Home Inspection vs. Electrical Home Inspection
It’s important to note that general home inspections and electrical safety inspections are different. Home inspections occur when you’re buying or selling a house to ensure that there are no hidden structural and electrical defects as well as health or safety hazards. A home inspector will perform a visual check of home electrical systems, like electrical boxes and exposed wires, but they don’t have enough expertise to explore electrical issues further than that. If the home inspector notices an obvious electrical issue such as a service panel malfunction, they will advise the homeowner to hire a professional electrician to investigate further.
When Do I Need an Electrical Safety Inspection?
You should get your home’s electrical safety assessed and tested in the following situations:
- When buying a house (whether the house is brand new or several years old),
- When your house is over 25 years old,
- When adding a new appliance to your home,
- And after renovating your home.
In order to keep your home’s electrical system in tip-top shape, you should schedule an electrical home inspection on an occasional basis. If you have just bought a brand new house, you should schedule an inspection every 10 years or so. But if your home is over 25 years old, you should schedule an inspection every 3 to 5 years. Lastly, if many of the major appliances in your home are over 10 years old, you should get them inspected every 3 to 5 years as well.
Benefits of an Electrical Safety Inspection for Your Home
Scheduling a home electrical inspection is crucial for the safety and functionality of all the electrical components in your home. Specific benefits include:
- Checking for safety hazards which will prevent electrical fires and electrocutions
- Checking for exposed wiring and other electrical mistakes made by previous homeowners or inexperienced contractors
- Ensuring that the home’s electrical panel is properly labeled and functioning well
- Finding outdated or degraded electrical wiring and other electrical components
- Identifying outdated aluminum wiring and knob and tube wiring
- Ensuring that all kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms have GFCI protection
- Ensuring that all electrical outlets, light fixtures, and home appliances are in perfect working order
- Saving money on electricity costs
- Ensuring that a home meets insurance risk assessment requirements before you buy it
- Ensuring that a home’s electrical system is safe before you buy it
How Much Does an Electrical Inspection Cost?
Electrical inspections do not share a universal price tag. The cost will depend on what electrical component of the home is being inspected, how big the home is, and what electrical company you hire to conduct the inspection. If the home electrical inspection is part of an entire home inspection, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 to $500. And of course, electrical repairs are generally not included in the electrical inspection cost.
Average Cost of Electrical Repairs
If your electrical home inspection reveals several electrical issues, it’s a good idea to look into the average cost of repairs. Again, there is no universal price tag for electrical repairs, but here is a good idea of what you could be spending depending on the electrical issue at hand.
- Electrical panel upgrade or replacement: $1,000+
- Replacing or installing new electrical outlets: about $200 per outlet
- Repairing or upgrading a broken light fixture: about $200 per fixture
- Replacing or installing new light switches: about $150 per switch
- Installing new wiring throughout the entire home: $1,400 (if only a portion of the home needs new wiring, this price tag may be much cheaper)
For exact price estimates of electrical safety inspections and repairs, call an Alexandria electrical contractor at Lombardi Electric.
Why You Should Choose Lombardi Electric For Your Electrical Safety Inspections
The average city likely has dozens of electric companies, so it can be difficult to determine which one is the best for your home electrical inspection. So – how does Lombardi Electric stand out from the competition?
Safety
Electrical work is dangerous, which is why we prioritize the safety of our team and our customers. Each professional electrician at Lombardi Electric is equipped with the best personal protective equipment and they don’t leave a job without triple-checking that everything is functioning safely and optimally within your home.
Experience
All electrical inspectors at Lombardi Electric are fully licensed with years of experience, so you can rest assured that we provide the best electrical work in Alexandria, LA.
Timely
We understand that a malfunctioning home electrical system is often an emergency. Without enough power and properly functioning appliances, you can’t get anything done. That’s why Lombardi Electric prioritizes timely and high-quality service for all of your electrical needs.
Call Lombardi Electric Today
If you’re looking for the best electrical safety inspections and electrical repairs in Alexandria, LA, look no further. Professional electricians at Lombardi Electric have the skill and experience to identify any electrical problems within your home and make repairs in a timely manner. Contact 318-545-7575 to hire one of our professional electricians today.