From the field
Practical advice from our licensed electricians — safety, upgrades, and knowing when to call a pro.
Oregon and Washington have different smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules for owners, sellers, landlords and remodels. Here is what each state requires, where alarms go, when they expire, why hardwired alarms chirp, and what replacement costs.
Read articleA 1,500-watt space heater pulls 12.5 amps, which leaves a standard 15-amp bedroom circuit no room for anything else. Here is why the breaker trips, why the trip is not the real danger, and what the fixes cost in Portland and Vancouver.
Read articleIn each of the last three winters, hundreds of thousands of Portland-metro and Clark County homes lost power, some for the better part of a week. Here is what a standby generator, a portable with a transfer switch, and a home battery actually cost to install and run in 2026, how long each one keeps the heat on, and what the permits look like in Portland, Vancouver and Clark County.
Read articleThe 30% federal credit is gone for any system finished after December 31, 2025. That changes the math, but not the same way on both sides of the river. Here is what a Portland (PGE) and a Vancouver (Clark PUD) homeowner actually gets in 2026, how much a roof here really produces, and what your electrical panel needs before a single module goes up.
Read articleThe $1,000 federal EV charger credit ended on June 30, 2026, and the $600 panel credit ended the December before. What's left is all local, and which side of the Columbia you live on decides how much you get: Clark PUD pays a flat $500, Pacific Power pays up to $1,500 for income-qualified households, and PGE currently pays nothing toward the charger itself.
Read articleMost Portland-area homeowners pay $2,500–$5,000 for a straightforward 100-to-200-amp upgrade, and more when the meter base, mast, and grounding come along for the ride. Our own jobs typically land at $2,500–$3,500. Here's the full breakdown, including permits and utility steps.
Read articleRoughly one in four Portland homes predates 1940, and the late-'60s boom across the metro left thousands more with aluminum branch circuits. Here's how to identify both, what your insurer will ask for, and what a safe fix costs in 2026.
Read articleFlickering lights and warm breakers aren't quirks — they're your panel asking for help. Here's how to tell when it's time to upgrade.
Read articleA home charger is one of the best upgrades an EV owner can make — if the circuit is sized and installed correctly. Here's what matters.
Read articleNot every electrical problem is an emergency — but some absolutely are. Here's how to tell the difference and stay safe.
Read articleReady for reliable power?
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