The renewable energy sector of O’Brien Electric is our passion. We get excited about running utility meters backwards and practicing sustainable building. O’Brien Electric works with our clients to review their existing energy systems and usage patterns in order to craft customized solutions for different budget levels and customer needs.

Solar Electric Systems (also called photovoltaic) converts sunlight directly into electricity you can use in your home or business. With a photovoltaic system, you buy less electricity from your utility.

Is your electrical panel box old and outdated? Do your lights dim when you plug in a large appliance such as a vacuum cleaner? Does your electrical panel make a crackling sound? Is the panel manufactured by Zinsco or Federal Pacific? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, this may be a warning sign that your electrical panel or your fuse box needs to be replaced.

Was your home built before the 1940s? Do you have knob and tube wires running through your basement or attic? The electrical systems of older homes were not designed to handle today’s electrical demands.

Insurance companies are requiring that homeowners replace their fuse boxes with circuit breaker panels in order to comply with the current fire and safety standards. Even the old Federal Pacific Electric FPE Panel/Breaker Hazard Summary breaker panels installed in new homes built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s are documented to be a fire hazard.

The National Fire Alarm Code, developed by the NFPA, requires a smoke detector in each sleeping room for new construction. It is best that a smoke detector is placed on each level of the house.  We recommend installing additional smoke detectors near the furnace and washer and dryer.