Electric Doctor
Help & FAQ's
Welcome to our Help and FAQ Page!
Are you experiencing electrical issues and feeling unsure about where to begin? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re seeking guidance on troubleshooting common problems or considering professional assistance, we’re here to provide the support you need.
How We Can Help:
In-Person Assistance: If you’re facing electrical challenges and require immediate assistance, our team of expert electricians is ready to help. Contact us via phone or text for the fastest response. You can also schedule an appointment online, and one of our electricians will promptly visit your location to assess and address the issue.
Online Support: Not quite ready to schedule an appointment? No problem! Explore our website for valuable resources and information on common electrical issues. From troubleshooting tips to FAQs, we’ve got you covered. Take advantage of our online resources to see if your problem can be resolved without the need for a service call.
Troubleshooting Tips: Discover helpful tips and tricks for troubleshooting common electrical problems.
FAQs: Browse through our frequently asked questions to find answers to commonly encountered electrical issues and inquiries. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly for personalized assistance.
At Electric Doctor, we’re committed to providing exceptional service and support to our customers. Whether you need immediate assistance from one of our electricians or prefer to explore DIY solutions online, we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Things to know
Family Owned Business
Dad/Grandpa (Owner, Master Electrician)
Mom/Grandma (Owner, Bookkeeper)
Son (Owner, Master Electrician)
Daughter (Office manager)
Grandson (Apprentice Electrician)
Opened in 1995 in Littleton, CO
Main shop in Sheridan, near Santa Fe & Oxford
Licensed & Insured
We accept credit cards, cash, & checks
Net 30 payment terms for high volume clients
ALL work guaranteed!
Discounts Offered
Repeat Customers, Military/Veteran, Seniors, Teachers, Single Parents
Be sure to check our home and deals pages for morediscounts
Photos are always of our work!
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you service?
We service the entire Denver Metro Area from Golden to Aurora and Castle Rock to Arvada.
Do you offer free estimates?
100% free. We make estimates easy. We can do estimates via text, email, website submission, or we can schedule a free on-site visit.
When do I need to replace my electrical panel?
Panels should be evaluated for replacement or upgrades after 30 years of use. Also, if a panel is undersized, overloaded, improperly located, or an oudated brand such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco, it should be replaced.
My home has aluminum wiring, is that bad?
Single strand aluminum is a softer metal than copper and newer switches and outlets are generally rated for copper connections only. We want to make sure the connection points for the wiring are well maintained. We pigtail outlets, switches, and fixtures with UL Listed Alumiconn connectors and maintenance or replace your panel. Aluminum for dryers and ranges can be okay but generally are only 3-wires instead of newer 4-wires. If you are removing drywall for a remodel or have new appliances installed, that's when we replace the wiring.
What do I do if I smell electrical burning or had an outlet fire?
When it doubt, turn off the circuit at the breaker. For fridges and freezers you can always get a good extension cord and temporarily plug it in to a working outlet to keep your food cold. Call us to come repair the outlet and check the connections to get things back in safe, working order.
Why are electricians priced so differently for the same job?
There are a lot of reasons why you can get a wide variety of pricing. Experience, as well as patience means different electricians see the installation in different ways. Quality, warranty, commission based sales, etc can all be part of the pricing. We use our own standard price menu to give a consistent price to all our customers and always perform a quality installation and back it with our one or three year warranty.
How can you provide an estimate without seeing the job?
We will confirm any "over the phone" estimates with an on-site visit before we proceed. We have over 100 years combined electrical experience on our team. Chances are we've done the same job before (if not dozens or hundreds of times). We like to use technology like Zillow, Google Street View, Google Earth, and photos or videos you text/email to save drive time, fuel, and emissions where we can. If you have a complex or large job, we'll schedule to come take a look.
Questions About Services & Good Advice!
What's considered a high ceiling?
Most common is a 2-story ceiling. A lot of times you can let us know the address and we can see photos online to help you determine ceiling height. You can always text or email us photos. Basically any ceiling where we need a 10' or taller ladder will be considered a high ceiling and will be different than our standard installation rate.
Do you recommend replacing or pigtailing aluminum wire?
Unless you are renovating and removing drywall, pigtailing using AlumiConn connectors is going to be far more cost effective and is a UL Listed repair.
Smoke detectors are beeping after I changed the batteries (or replaced the all the detectors)
First, remember to remove the batteries from the old units! Second, check for plug in CO detectors down low, they use batteries too!
All my power or half my power stopped working
First, check to see if you've had a power outage by asking a neighbor if they also lost power or calling your power company (a partial or half outage can occur) . You can also look around to see if street lights or stop lights are working correctly. Take a moment to verify what is working and what is not working. Often times you can use a small lamp or appliance to test your outlets. It is helpful to know if the outage is contained to a particular room or area of outlets. You can then go to your breaker panel and check for tripped breakers. A tripped breaker is usually noticeable as it will be between the “On” and “Off” position. If you do not have breakers, but instead see screw in fuses, give us a call, it’s time for an upgrade.
A breaker is tripping and won't reset
When resetting a breaker, try not to stand directly in front of it in case of a spark. To reset a breaker, push it all the way off and then back on. If it trips instantly, you could have a bad breaker, dead short, or overload issue. Remember that breakers trip for a reason!
My lights are flickering
Flickering issues can be tricky and we recommend an on-site visit to diagnose LED bulbs on old dimmers? Smart dimmers? Some dimmers don't play nice with certain LEDs Failing switch Bad bulbs? Cheap LED bulbs? Motor load inrush current like an A/C turning on? LEDs are more impacted by this (lower wattage) Loose wiring/connections can cause flickering
Lights in my house stopped working
First, change the light bulb! We get a lot of light repair calls where it's just a bad light bulb. Tip - Find a similar bulb that's working and swap the bulbs. If the bulb that was working works in the fixture that wasn't working, it's just a bad bulb. If the bulb that wasn't working works in the other fixture, then call us, now we troubleshoot the wiring! Electrician talk - We often call light bulbs lamps!
How do I know if I can get a large ceiling fixture or fan?
There is never really a 100% way to know until we take the fixture down. If the box is not rated for fan or large fixture support, our electricians will notify you before proceeding. All locations can be converted to fan-rated or reinforced for larger chandeliers.
Stay ready for an emergency or blackout!
Make sure you have a working flashlight (or more)
Candles and matches (fire safety reminder!)
Fire extinguisher that is up to date and easily accessible!
Space heater in case your heat/furnace stops working and a 20 amp outlet to use if needed!
Sparky Speak:
Understanding GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and is available in various forms. The most common types include GFCI outlets, GFCI breakers, and faceless GFCIs. You’ll typically find GFCI outlets installed in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor spaces.
GFCI outlets feature two buttons: Test and Reset. To ensure the GFCI is functioning correctly, unplug any devices from the outlet and press the Test button. You should hear a click or notice an indicator light (if equipped) turn off. Then, press the Reset button; you should hear a click or see the indicator light return to its original state. Finally, plug in a device to test the outlet. Keep in mind that a ground fault outlet must have power flowing to it to reset properly.
Common Electrical Terms:
- Lamp: Another term for a light bulb.
- Device: Refers to an outlet or switch.
- Voltage, Amperage, Wattage: Terms used to measure power derived from Ohm’s Law. Voltage and watts are commonly used to determine the amp load on a circuit or appliance.
- Home Run: The wire that runs from the electrical panel to a single location or the first device on a circuit.
- Lumens: Measurement of light output.
- Circuit (or Dedicated Circuit): A circuit refers to a group of items connected to a breaker, such as lights and outlets in a bedroom or multiple bedrooms. A dedicated circuit, on the other hand, involves a single item connected to a breaker, such as a furnace or dishwasher.
Understanding these terms can help you better navigate and troubleshoot your electrical system. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us for expert guidance and support.
