FAQS

Commonly Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions that Doelp Electric has encountered over the past 20 years of business. If you have any questions that we did not answer below, contact Doelp Electric at glen@doelpelectric.com.
Q: IS AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT NEEDED EVEN IF I HIRE A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN?
A: Yes. A permit is always needed when said licensed electrician replaces any electrical material. This includes but is not limited to switches, ceiling fans, and light fixtures. The permits can vary anywhere from $30 upwards as the permit can cover minor to large projects. If you are looking to have many little electrical jobs or even a mix of large and small jobs, it is best to have them all done at one time not to have to purchase many permits at different times. This will cause a more extensive delay of time and cost more money in the long run.
Q: HOW MANY SMOKE DETECTORS SHOULD I HAVE?
A: The National Electrical Code states that there is one smoke detector on every floor and one inside and outside each bedroom. Both smoke detector manufacturers and Doelp Electric recommend replacing all smoke detectors every two years. If you need smoke detectors installed in your house, call Doelp Electric today. You should not delay your safety.
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE OUT THE SMOKE DETECTORS?
A: Factory recommendations are to replace your entire smoke detector device every two years.
Q: HOW CAN I MAKE MY HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT?
A: A simple way to make your home energy efficient is to use LED bulbs. Although these bulbs are more costly, they will save you money in the long run because of their energy efficiency. The LED bulbs are also far better than the alternative. These are fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent lights not only give an unappealing glow but also have minuscule traces of mercury that can become dangerous to your family if not handled correctly.

Incandescent bulbs are not as energy efficient as LED bulbs but are more cost-effective at store price. You can pair the incandescent bulbs with a dimmer switch to help with energy efficiency. However, the LED bulb is ultimately the better option.

Dimmers and smart switches allow you to save on energy levels by lowering the lights at night if you need to read or turning your kitchen light off when you are out of town if you forgot.

Doelp Electric can help you create a lighting design specifically for your home to increase the usage of whatever light bulb you choose. If you need an estimate on dimmer switches or lighting design, call Doelp Electric.
Q: HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ELECTRICIAN IS RIGHT FOR ME?
A: This is a tricky question to answer entirely as it is hard to tell if the electrician you are hiring for your next project is qualified to do so. However, there are some resources you can use, such as asking the electrician for proof of licensing, seeing past work, and asking the electrician direct questions.
Q: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF RUNNING A CEILING FAN IN THE WINTER?
A: It is a common misconception that ceiling fans are only for hot weather. By turning your ceiling fan to a low setting, the fan will help to push the warm air. As the warm air rises, the fan helps push the warm air back down around the room to ventilate better and optimize your house's heat capacity. You can turn your fan counterclockwise during the summer to cool down the rooms as the temperature rises.
Q: WHY IS THE HOURLY RATE SO HIGH FOR ELECTRICIANS?
A: We can break this down into two reasons—the education and the responsibility of an electrician. An electrician must be updated every two years for the National Electrical Code and updated on local codes. The responsibility of the permits also plays a role in the rate of an electrician. If you need electrical work done on your home, it is better to have someone educated on the problem and the solution and who has the correct permits.

If you need an estimate for an upcoming project, call Doelp Electric today.
Q: I WANT AN EXHAUST FAN INSTALLED IN MY BATHROOM. WHAT TYPE DO I NEED?
A: Exhaust fans use CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute. So, to determine which exhaust fan you will need, you must first know the square footage of your bathroom. The current code states that you must also install a timer switch with the exhaust fan.

Do you need either an exhaust fan or a timer switch installed? Call Doelp Electric for a free estimate.
Q: TO SAVE ON MY OVERALL COST, CAN I BUY THE PARTS AHEAD OF TIME FOR THE ELECTRICIAN TO INSTALL?
A: Although this would work on paper, the electrician cannot guarantee the pre-purchased parts. Therefore, if something happens to those pre-purchased materials, say in the first month, the electrician cannot warranty the parts after installing them. The electrician will then have to charge you for the price of new parts, as well as an additional service call and labor costs.

To avoid this problem, it is always better to have the electricians purchase all the materials needed for the electrical project at hand.
Q: CAN I START THE PROJECT MYSELF AND HAVE YOU COME AND FINISH IT FOR ME?
For safety and liability reasons, we highly advise against doing this. It is always best to let a licensed electrician do all the work for you from start to finish so that you do not risk injuring yourself or anyone else.

To learn more about Doelp Electric's qualifications, contact Doelp Electric directly, call 215-536-7003. Send a message by emailing Glen Doelp at glen@doelpelectric.com.
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