Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Our electricians are licensed in Massachusetts and Storm Electrical is fully insured.

For most jobs, yes. In Massachusetts the permit is filed with the town by a licensed electrician, and the finished work is checked by the local wiring inspector. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection for every job that needs one.

Common signs are breakers that trip often, a fuse box or a 60 or 100 amp service, lights that dim when a large appliance starts, and a panel that feels warm or buzzes. Adding a heat pump, an EV charger or an addition is also a good time to check. Some older panel brands, such as Federal Pacific and Zinsco, have a history of problems and are usually worth replacing.

Most panel replacements are finished in one day. If the service from the street or the meter also changes, the utility has to disconnect and reconnect the power, and that appointment becomes part of the schedule. Expect the power to be off for part of the day.

It is not illegal to have, but it has no ground, its insulation gets brittle with age, and many insurance companies will not write or renew a policy until it is removed. We inspect it first, then replace it all at once or in stages, depending on your budget and your plans for the house.

One flickering fixture is often a loose bulb or a worn switch or dimmer. Flickering in several rooms, or lights that dim when something turns on, can point to a loose connection in the panel or an overloaded circuit and should be checked soon. If you notice a burning smell or a warm outlet, turn that circuit off at the panel and call us.

Yes. A Level 2 charger runs on a dedicated 240 volt circuit, usually 40 to 60 amps. We check that your panel can carry the extra load, then install the circuit and the charger in your garage or driveway. Your electric utility may offer a rebate, so check before you buy a charger.

It depends on what you want to keep running. You can back up the whole house, or only the essentials such as heat, the refrigerator, a well pump and some lights. We do a load calculation on site and recommend a size from there. The gas line to the generator has to be connected by a licensed gas fitter.

It is installed at your panel and limits voltage spikes, both the ones that come in from the utility lines and the ones created inside the house by motors and appliances. It covers everything wired to the panel, including appliances with circuit boards. Plug-in surge strips are still useful for computers and TVs.

Yes. We handle indoor and outdoor lighting, parking lot lighting, fluorescent to LED upgrades and electrical repairs for stores, offices and warehouses.

Yes. Tell us your hours when you call and we will schedule the work so your customers and staff are disrupted as little as possible.