CYR ELECTRIC, INC. | 19 Mill Street, Auburn, MA 01501 | Phone: (508) 755-1110 | Toll Free: (888) 422-2227
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQs page where you'll find answers to many common electrical questions. We hope you find this information helpful.
Our Technicians are ready to provide you Emergency Service in One Hour Or Less. Please call us at (508) 755-1110 or (888) 422-2227 to schedule your appointment.
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| 1. | Can I do my own wiring? |
| The State of Massachusetts says that you can do your own wiring, provided it's your own home. You must be the owner, and it does not apply to other rental property or business property you might own, and you must have the work inspected by the local wiring inspector. | |
| 2. | How do I know when I need a professional? |
| Many people will attempt basic circuits in their home. Most people, however, will not tackle any work around the main panel as there are a lot of live parts and it can be very dangerous. Also, a swimming pool must be grounded and wired properly. We would recommend a professional for this job. We recommend a licensed electrician for al of your electrical needs. A few dollars saved is not worth the possibility of an electrical fire or someone getting hurt. | |
| 3. | Does the work need to be inspected? |
| Yes. The State of Massachusetts says that all work must be inspected by the local electrical inspector. | |
| 4. | Can I run some of the cables and then have you connect them to the box? |
| Yes. You can legally run cables in your own home and have a qualified electrician make the final connections into the live panel. It is illegal for you to run wires or hang fixtures or any other related work in any building other than your primary residence. | |
| 5. | Does someone need to be home while we are working on your electrical job? |
| No. Many people will leave us and go to work and find the job completed when they return home. | |
| 6. | How much does an estimate cost? |
| Our estimates are free. | |
| 7. | Do you give estimates over the phone? |
| Yes, we do, but we reserve the right to adjust our quote once we arrive if we feel it is necessary. | |
| 8. | How soon can you start? |
| Depending on the urgency of the project, we would be able to start anywhere from immediately to the next day or week. | |
| 9. | If I help, can I save myself some money? |
| Yes. Many times people will dig trenches or run wires, but don't feel comfortable making the connections in a live panel. They hire us and save money. | |
| 10. | How do I pay? |
| For residential projects, we don't ask for a deposit, but a check or money order will be needed upon completion of the job. For commercial and industrial projects we allow 30 days for payment. | |
| 11. | Would we be charged by the hour, or would you give a quote for the entire job? |
| We could do either one. Some people want to be charged on an hourly basis, other people want to have a quote given before the work is started. |
MONEY SAVINGS ELECTRICAL TIPS
Programmable Thermostat
Consider installing a programmable thermostat. Instead of running the air conditioner or furnace when you are not home, you can set the thermostat to turn them on an hour before you are home and you can still live in comfort. The cost of a programmable thermostat can range between $25.00 to $75.00, but in the long run, it can save you hundreds of dollars on your electric bill.
Don’t use Dishwasher’s Heat Dry Cycle
The heat dry cycle only wastes energy. The dishes will air dry within a few hours. Run your dishwasher at night and your dishes should be dry in the morning. If there is a little water in some bowls, just towel dry.
Use cold water cycle on washing machine
90% of the energy expended by your washing machine goes into heating the water. Your laundry will be just as clean if you use cool or lukewarm water for the majority of your laundry, and save the hot water for whites.
Insulate your hot water heater
Check to see if your water heater is noticeably warm. If so, it is not well insulated. Did you know that not only do you pay for actual hot water consumption, you also pay for heat lost form the water heater into the surrounding area. A water heater insulation blanket can save you up to nine percent on water heating costs.
Air dry your clothes on a clothesline
If you use your clothesline to air dry your clothes in the warm weather you will save at least $100.00 each year on your electric bill.
Use Power Strips
Even when an appliance is off it continues to draw an idle electrical current. Some devices even draw the same amount of power turned off as they do when they are on. The use of power strips will reduce standby energy consumption. Plug televisions, stereos, DVD players, computers, printers, modems etc. into power strips which allow you to disconnect the power supply to multiple appliances at the touch of a button.
Clean Refrigerator Coils
The condenser coils at the back of your refrigerator should be wiped clean of dust and dirt at least three times a year (be sure to unplug it first). Your refrigerator will run more efficiently on less electricity if coils are kept clean.
Install Dimmer Switches
Reduce electricity usage with dimmer switches, which multiply bulb life up to twelve times the amount of standard light switches.
Use Automatic Timer
Set lights on an automatic timer when you go away for more than a day.
Clean light fixtures
Dirty light fixtures decrease the amount of light reaching all areas of the room. Keep them clean to prevent turning on more lights than are actually necessary.
Install an Attic Fan
Check the temperature in your attic. If it is over 120 F in the summer, you might want to look into an attic fan. An attic fan will allow warmer attic air to flow out of the attic. Warmer air in the house will than be pushed into the attic keeping the house cooler.
Keep Oven Door Closed
Resist the temptation to peek inside the oven every five minutes. Your oven loses 25 degrees of heat each time you open the door.
Use an Electric Skillet or Toaster Oven
Use an electric skillet or toaster oven for cooking and baking in small quantities. They use less energy than standard-sized ovens and won’t heat up the kitchen. Microwaves used in cooking/reheating of modest amounts of food will generate the least heat of hall while saving you up to 80% in utility bills.
Dry Clothes in Consecutive Loads
Drying clothes in consecutive loads will save energy, as a dryer retains heat from one load to the next.
Take A Shower
Take a shower instead of a bath. A five minute shower consumes from 4 to 8 gallons of hot water. A bath uses 20 gallons or more.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN ELECTRICIAN
- Get referrals from family, friends and neighbors.
- Contact your local Better Business Bureau to verify the electrician's service record and complaint history.
- Hire a licensed professional. Call the Board of State Examiners of Electricians at (617) 727-9931 to verify licensure, the number of years licensed and the licensee's complaint history.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your professionalism and your hard working staff.”
