Collins Comfort provides licensed electrical services for homes throughout Tempe and the surrounding Arizona area. From diagnosing electrical problems to installing new circuits and upgrading electrical panels, our electricians help homeowners maintain safe, reliable electrical systems that meet current codes.
The FAQs below address the most common electrical service questions we receive from Tempe homeowners, covering everything from troubleshooting electrical issues to understanding when professional electrical work is needed.
Tempe homeowners face several recurring electrical issues tied directly to our desert climate and the age of local housing stock.
Desert climate effects: Arizona summers regularly push temperatures above 110°F, placing tremendous strain on your home’s electrical system. High heat causes wiring insulation to become brittle from UV exposure, while metal components expand and contract with daily temperature swings. This loosens connections and raises electrical resistance. Haboobs and monsoon storms bring dust, moisture, and sudden power surges that can infiltrate outdoor panels, corrode terminals, and create fire hazards.
Age-related problems in older neighborhoods: Many Tempe homes built before 1970 still have aluminum wiring or older cloth-insulated copper. These homes often lack modern grounding or circuit protection like ground fault circuit interrupter outlets and arc-fault circuit interrupters, which elevates the risk of electrical fires and electrical shock.
Common signs homeowners should watch for:
If you notice any of these warning signs, contact a licensed electrician for an inspection before the problem becomes a fire hazard.
Your electrical panel serves as the distribution board for electricity flows throughout your home. Knowing when to upgrade protects your family and property.
Signs of an outdated panel:
Capacity issues with modern appliances: Older homes often have 60-amp or 100-amp service. Today’s standard is typically 200-amp or higher, especially if you plan to add an EV charger, multiple AC units, hot tubs, or pool equipment. If your panel regularly runs at 80 to 90 percent capacity, you are likely overdue for an upgrade.
Safety concerns with older panels: Some older panel brands have documented high failure rates. Insurance companies may deny claims for electrical fires traced to these panels. Lack of modern protective devices like GFCI outlets and AFCIs in bedrooms creates shock and fire risks.
Insurance and resale considerations: Homes with substandard electrical systems may fail inspection or have reduced resale value. Buyers typically expect 200-amp service, modern panel brands, and compliance with current electrical codes. Insurance underwriters often require evidence of updated panels for coverage.
Summer in Tempe pushes air conditioning systems to their limits, and frequent breaker trips signal a problem that needs attention.
Increased electrical load: When temperatures exceed 110°F, your air conditioner runs longer and draws more electrical current. The compressor pulls significant power during startup, especially under heat stress. Heat also increases electrical resistance in wiring, which raises current draw further. Panels installed in direct sunlight may overheat, weakening connections.
Aging AC units draw more power: As AC units age, components like capacitors and motors lose efficiency. Dirty coils, refrigerant leaks, and worn insulation force the compressor to work harder. These inefficiencies push electrical draw beyond design specifications.
Circuit capacity and overloading: If your AC does not have a dedicated circuit or shares one with other high-draw appliances, the breaker will trip. Older breakers degrade from repeated overheating. Corroded or dirty connections inside the panel increase trip risk.
When an upgrade might be needed: If your home has 100-amp service, an older unventilated panel, or plans to run multiple high-draw loads, a licensed electrician should perform a load calculation per NEC standards. If results show insufficient headroom, replacing or upgrading your electrical panel may be required to safely meet modern electrical demands.
Home renovations often require significant electrical work. Tempe follows the 2018 National Electrical Code with local amendments, and permits are required for most electrical upgrades.
Kitchen remodels: Kitchens require the most extensive electrical installation work. Services include:
Bathroom electrical upgrades: Bathroom electrical work must address water exposure risks. All outlets require ground fault circuit interrupter protection. Services include dedicated circuits for exhaust fans and heater lights, proper wet-location rated fixtures, and electrical for heated flooring.
New circuit installation: Heavy equipment like an EV charger, hot tub, or pool pump requires 240-volt circuits with proper breaker sizing, wire gauge, and grounding. AFCI protection is mandated for bedroom and living room circuits per current electrical codes.
Permit and inspection requirements: Tempe requires permits for electrical service replacements, panel upgrades, and new circuit installation. Permit fees for residential service under 300 amps run approximately $159 to $161. Inspections verify proper grounding, appropriate protection devices, conductor sizes, and fixture spacing. Unpermitted electrical work may fail property sale inspections or invalidate insurance claims.
Electric vehicle charging installation is one of the fastest-growing electrical services we provide. Installing an EV charger involves careful planning, permits, and proper electrical capacity.
Level 2 charging station requirements: Level 2 chargers operate at 240 volts and draw anywhere from 15 to 80 amps depending on the charger model and desired charging speed. Each installation requires a dedicated circuit with sufficient capacity, correct wire gauge, proper overcurrent protection, and grounding.
Electrical panel assessment: A professional electrician must perform a load calculation before installation. We evaluate your existing service (100-amp, 150-amp, or 200-amp), identify existing high-draw devices like HVAC systems and pool equipment, and determine if your panel has available breaker slots. If capacity or space is insufficient, a panel upgrade may be necessary. We also assess wire run distance to ensure voltage drop stays within acceptable limits.
Installation locations and considerations: Most EV charger installations occur in garages or dedicated off-street parking areas. Outdoor installations require weatherproof covers and proper conduit runs. All electrical wiring, breaker types, and installation methods must meet NEC and Tempe building codes. Mesa now requires new homes to include reserved panel space and raceways for future EV charging, indicating the direction of local requirements.
Permits needed in Tempe: Permits must be obtained from the Tempe Building Safety Division for EV charger installation. Inspections ensure code compliance. Only Arizona ROC-licensed electricians should perform this electrical work. Skipping permits risks insurance denial and safety liability.
Regular inspections help catch electrical problems before they become expensive repairs or safety hazards.
Recommended inspection frequency:
What professional inspections include:
Benefits of preventive maintenance: Catching early signs like loose connections, insulation damage, or corrosion often avoids costly emergency electrical repairs or fire risk. Regular maintenance can improve efficiency, prevent AC tripping, lower insurance premiums, and provide peace of mind.
Safety concerns inspections catch: Improper grounding, missing GFCI or AFCI protection, dangerous load imbalances, degraded wiring insulation, hot outlets or breakers, and code violations from previous DIY electrical work.
Power loss in a single room usually indicates a localized problem that may be simple to resolve or may require professional diagnosis.
Basic troubleshooting steps:
When to check GFCI outlets: A ground fault circuit interrupter outlet may control multiple outlets in a room or even outlets in adjacent rooms. GFCI outlets often hide in bathrooms, garages, or kitchens but may protect bedroom or living room circuits. Press the reset button on any GFCI outlet that shows a tripped indicator.
Signs that require professional help:
Safety precautions during troubleshooting: Never touch outlets or switches if you see burn marks, smell burning, or notice sparks. Do not attempt to open the electrical panel beyond resetting breakers. If you suspect a serious electrical problem, shut off the main breaker and call a licensed electrician immediately.
GFCI outlets protect against electric shock by detecting ground faults and cutting power within milliseconds. Current electrical codes specify where this protection is mandatory.
Where GFCI outlets are required by code:
Protection benefits: GFCI outlets prevent electrical shocks when electricity flows to ground through a person. They are essential in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. GFCI protection can prevent deadly electric shock from appliances like hair dryers or power tools.
Upgrade options for older homes: Many older Tempe homes lack GFCI protection in required areas. Retrofitting GFCI outlets is a straightforward electrical project that significantly improves safety. A licensed electrician can identify all locations needing protection and install tamper resistant receptacles that meet current codes.
Tempe building codes also require AFCI protection in bedrooms and general purpose circuits to reduce electrical fire risk from arc faults.
Flickering lights range from minor annoyances to serious warning signs depending on the cause and severity.
Common causes of light flickering:
Situations requiring immediate attention:
Potential safety hazards: A loose connection anywhere in your home’s electrical system can cause arcing, which generates heat and creates fire risk. Heat from Arizona summers makes this worse as thermal expansion loosens connections further. Persistent flickering often indicates a problem that will worsen over time.
When professional diagnosis is needed: If replacing the light bulb does not solve the problem, or if flickering occurs in multiple rooms or coincides with appliance use, schedule an inspection. A professional electrician can identify whether the issue is at the fixture, switch, circuit, or panel level.
Yes. Electrical issues directly impact how efficiently your air conditioner operates and how much you spend on cooling.
How electrical issues impact AC performance: Poor voltage, bad connections, and failing electrical equipment force your AC to work harder. When electricity flows inefficiently, the compressor and fan motors draw more current to maintain output. This increases wear on components and shortens equipment life.
Voltage problems and their effects:
Signs of electrical issues affecting cooling:
Energy costs and efficiency concerns: Tempe electricity costs average about $0.15 per kWh, with typical households spending around $242 monthly. Electrical problems that reduce AC efficiency can add significantly to this cost. Ensuring your electrical system properly supports your cooling equipment protects both comfort and budget.
Understanding basic electrical safety protects your family and property from electrical fires and shock hazards.
Basic electrical safety practices:
Emergency procedures:
When to call professional help: Contact a licensed electrician for any situation involving burning smells, hot outlets, repeated breaker trips, buzzing sounds from the panel, flickering throughout the house, or any electrical work inside walls or at the panel. DIY electrical repairs create serious safety risks and code violations.
Local emergency resources:
Electrical service costs vary based on the scope of work, materials required, and project complexity.
General cost ranges for common services:
Factors that affect pricing:
Permit and inspection costs: Tempe charges approximately $159 to $161 for residential electrical service permits under 300 amps. These fees cover required inspections that verify code compliance.
Value of professional electrical work: Investing in quality electrical work avoids future repair costs, reduces fire risk, ensures code compliance important for resale and insurance, improves energy efficiency, and safely supports additions like EV chargers or solar systems. Licensed electricians carry insurance and stand behind their work with warranties.
Collins Comfort understands that electrical emergencies require immediate response, especially during Tempe’s extreme summer heat.
Situations that qualify as electrical emergencies:
Response times and service areas: Electrical emergencies generally require same-day response, particularly during peak heat when losing AC creates health risks. We serve Tempe and surrounding Arizona communities with priority scheduling for emergency situations.
Safety steps while waiting for help:
Taking these precautions helps prevent injury and property damage while you wait for a professional electrician to arrive.
Knowing when electrical problems require professional attention protects your home and family.
Call us immediately if you experience:
Our licensed electricians handle all residential electrical services throughout Tempe and surrounding areas. We obtain required permits, complete work to current electrical codes, and ensure your home’s electrical system operates safely and efficiently.