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Fixing a Sensitive Arc-Fault Circuit Breaker

Are you having trouble with the arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) shutting off in your main electrical panel? AFCIs are prone to Roberts Electric arc fault circuit interrupter“nuisance tripping”. They’re designed to sense an arc, which is an electrical “leak” caused when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire, but doesn’t trigger the circuit breaker.

Causes for the electrical interruption may include:
  • An overload–when electrical usage would have begun to overheat a circuit’s wires.
  • A short circuit–very high current resulting from a fault on the circuit.
  • An overheating breaker– when the breaker itself has poor contacts or connections.
  • A ground-fault–smaller leakage off of the intended circuit. In this I include shock hazards, neutral to ground faults, and the differing current on the neutral wire when it is being shared by another circuit.
  • An arc-fault–sparking happening on the circuit or its lights or appliances.

Most of the time you can find the cause and correct the problem without having to call an electrician.

Tips for troubleshooting an arc-fault interrupter
  • Don’t confuse AFCIs with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which are designed to protect against shocks (not arcs). To tell whether immediate tripping is from a ground-fault versus a short circuit, you might have to temporarily replace the AFCI breaker with a standard breaker (putting the solid white wire from the AFCI’s terminal into the panel’s neutral/ground bar). If the standard breaker holds, then the problem is more likely to be a ground-fault than an arc-fault.
  • In the case of an arc-fault device introduced into an existing home, a common cause of tripping will be that the neutral of the circuit is mixed somewhere with the neutral of another circuit. The two common places this mixing of neutrals would occur are at a 2-gang or 3-gang switch box where both circuits are present, or in a 3-way switch system where the neutral for the light(s) has been borrowed (improperly) from the other circuit.
  • As long as you do not leave it in place beyond your troubleshooting, a standard breaker could be put in the panel in place of the AFCI. You might then be able to hear, see, or smell signs of heat or arcing. Blinking lights on the circuit would give additional clues.
  • In most homes (most don’t have AFCIs), when arcing at connection points has been happening for a while, it commonly shows itself as a partial outage of the circuit, from the arcing point on.
  • Some appliance models have been known to trip an AFCI by their sensitivity to either arcing (in flat-screen TVs, vacuums, other appliances with motors) or to ground-faults (in treadmill, fluorescent lights).
  • If this doesn’t solve the problem, hire an electrician to install a new arc-fault breaker in the electrical panel. If the nuisance tripping stops, then the old arc-fault breaker was probably defective.
  • If the arc-fault breaker still trips, the electrician then needs to track down the cause by going into each switch, receptacle and light box to look for a wiring problem. Wires are often folded (jammed) into boxes quickly, and if the wrong two wires make contact, they can trip an AFCI.

According to 2014 code, anyone, including homeowners, replacing a receptacle in most rooms of a house will be required to make it arc-fault protected.

Need to call an electrician?

If your arc-fault circuit interruption is not responding to your troubleshooting efforts and it’s time to call an electrician, contact Roberts Electric. Our residential team is skilled at troubleshooting and fixing electrical problems.

 

 

Roberts Electric: Diamond Certified for 17 Straight Years

Roberts Electric is proud of our Diamond Certified rating. For 17 straight years, we’ve received our ranking, and our own customer feedbackroberts-electric_diamond-certified results confirm that clients recognize and place a high value on this rating system.

How we earned our rating

Diamond Certified goes through a very thorough process to vet its clients. When you choose a vendor that has achieved the Diamond Certified rating, you can be assured that this company is selling a quality product, that it’s bonded and properly insured and consistently provides a high level of customer satisfaction. The Diamond Certified-seal means that someone else has done your homework for you.

Diamond Certified performs a rigorous company-certification process
  • Surveys a large, random sample of typically 400 real customers, by telephone, to get the most accurate rating and verify only actual customers are responding. By surveying from a company’s entire customer base, ensures the results of the study, good or bad, truly represents the company’s customer-satisfaction level.
  • Confirms that the company has required insurances and valid state-mandated credentials.
  • Assures that the company is performing to contract, has customer-friendly business practices and stands behind its work.
  • Conducts ongoing research and ratings to ensure all companies maintain their high performances.
Additionally:
  • All responses for each Diamond Certified company are displayed on its Diamond Certified Company Report page.
  • All respondents are identified by first names and last initials to protect their privacy. If a response is overtly negative or a respondent’s first name is easily identifiable because of uniqueness, the name will be altered using a strict formula. This protects the anonymity of the respondents while including their feedback for others to review.
  • Companies must score Highest in Quality in customer satisfaction (a 90+ on a 100 scale) and pass all credential-based ratings to earn Diamond Certified.
  • By requiring a high score to qualify, Diamond Certified eliminates mediocre and poorly performing companies.
Something else to keep in mind . . .

Companies that are able to qualify for and maintain their Diamond-Certified ratings are much more likely to keep delivering quality to their customers.

Interested in learning more about Roberts Electric’s Diamond-Certified rating?

Our Diamond Certified Report page has a list of all of our customer interview responses as well as videos about understanding your home’s electrical system and tips for choosing lighting for your home.

Saving Energy with LED Holiday Lights

While the rest of the country experiences storms that are the prelude to long, Roberts Electric LED lightscold winters, we’re luxuriating in day after day of warm, sunny weather. Temperatures may reach the 70s during the day, but they’re dipping into the 40s at night. The seasons have changed, and the holidays have snuck up on us once again.

Decorating for the holidays translates to lights

We all love the lights that help usher in the season. But both business and home owners these days are concerned with saving energy. Those homes with the lavish light displays are very literally paying the price for their display of holiday cheer.

Make this the year you replace your lights with ENERGY STAR

We’ve talked about ENERGY STAR in previous blogs. Earning the ENERGY STAR certification means the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. While you’ll save money on your utility bills, you’ll also help protect the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Some advantages of ENERGY STAR lights:
  • Use 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights strands.
  • Can last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent strands, meaning fewer light string replacements.
  • Cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire.
  • No moving parts, filaments or glass, so they are much more durable and shock-resistant than other light strings.
  • Available in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths.
  • Come with a 3-year warranty.
  • Independently tested to meet strict lifetime and electrical requirements.
  • Labeled for outdoor use are subjected to weathering tests.
  • Some models deliver features such as dimming or color shifting.
  • Provide the latest features and functionalities such as dimming and color shifting.
Save even more energy with LED lights!

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are small light sources that are illuminated by the movement of electrons—this is semiconductor technology. LED’s quality and variety has increased dramatically in just a short time, making it the lighting of choice for virtually all of Roberts Electric’s residential and commercial projects these days.

  • LEDs are exceptionally energy-efficient, many using up to 90% less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light.
  • The amount of electricity consumed by just one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs — enough to light two 24-foot (7.3-meter) strings.
  • Something you’ll really love—LED lights for regular use in a home or business can last up to 10 years. The life expectancy of a string of holiday lights that you use for one month each year? Let’s just say that investing in a string of LED lights is a very sound investment in holiday lights!

We just did some googling, and LED holiday lights are surprisingly affordable and widely available at all of the big-box hardware stores and Target. We also found an online store, LED Holiday Lighting, that has a huge assortment of lights in a wide range of colors and configurations.

Questions about saving energy in your home or office with LED lighting? Call Roberts Electric @ 510.834.6161.

Time for Your Own Charging Station for Your Electric Car?

Tesla’s new Model X SUV raises the bar for the electric vehicle (EV). Powerful, roberts electric teslaquiet, safety-first design, exotic falcon-wing doors and rear seats that sit on pedestals, allowing under-seat storage. This SUV tows 5,000 pounds, has a range of 250 miles and can be yours for $132K. Tesla is taking reservations right now for delivery some time in the latter part of 2016. You can reserve your Model X with a $5K deposit.

We’ve come a long way

Just a few years ago, charging stations were a novelty, available only in the most upscale neighborhoods. Over the last few years, they’ve sprung up in even remote locations. The sleek Tesla sedan no longer turns heads, and a strong economy means that affluent motorists will likely be queuing up to purchase the Model X. As more people are purchasing clean, quiet, energy-efficient EVs, they are making it even more efficient by installing their own charging stations. Think about the luxury of never having to wait in line at the gas station again; of being able to plug your car in at night in the privacy of your own home and letting it charge while you sleep.

Thinking about installing your own charging station?

If you’re a Do-It-Yourselfer, you can install your own charging station, but it requires some basic knowledge, an electrical permit and an inspection. Electric vehicles have two levels of charging equipment for residential consumers.

  1. Level 1 uses a 120V portable cord set, generally used for short commutes or in emergency situations.
  2. Level 2 charging uses 240V, for overnight charging and is 2-5x times faster than Level 1 charging (depending on your vehicle). A Level 2 charger can be mounted to a wall in your home or may be available in a freestanding pedestal configuration.

You will need to determine which charging station best fits your needs, where you’re going to park your electric vehicle and know where your vehicle’s charge port is located. You want to consider the cord length of the charging station to make sure that the cord will reach the vehicle’s charge port when you plug it in. Also consider any hindrances so the cord will not become a tripping hazard.

The electric panel will need to have space for a 240 volt 40A 2-Pole circuit breaker and enough capacity to handle the added load of the charging station. If your panel does not have space or capacity, you may need to upgrade the service or add an additional subpanel to create space and capacity.

An electrical permit is required for charging station installation

Before you can start work, you will need an electrical permit from your local city government. They may require a line drawing, load calculations and product spec sheets to issue the permit.

  1. Install the circuit breaker into the panel and route wire or conduit from the electrical panel to the charging station location.
  2. Some areas require that a disconnect switch be mounted within line of site of the charging station.
  3. The charging station is mounted on the wall to the stud or to a masonry wall surface using wall anchors.
  4. The wires are connected to the charging station, or alternatively, to a plug can be used with some models for indoor use.
  5. Once the charging station has been connected, the circuit breaker can be turned ON.
  6. Installing a charging station mounted on a pedestal will require the additional work of trenching to the pedestal location and creating a concrete base to mount the pedestal to the ground.

Once the installation is complete, you will need to schedule a review with your local electrical inspector to verify that your charging station meets the local codes.

Not a Do-It-Yourselfer? Call Roberts Electric and let us install this for you! 510.834.6161.

ENERGY STAR: Save Money, Save the Environment

Roberts Electric ENERGY STAR Take the Pledge

ENERGY STAR asks consumers to partner with them to save energy

It may be that four years of drought have raised our awareness, but it seems like everyone these days is trying to conserve energy. We get a lot of questions about ENERGY STAR, the program that was established in 1992 by the EPA. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program for residential and commercial users that saves money and protects the climate through superior energy efficiency.

The ENERGY STAR program is comprehensive

For consumers, there are tips for greening your home, saving money on electricity, information on tax credits and rebates. There is also information on products that have been given the ENERGY STAR rating. This extensive list of products includes appliances, building products, electronics, heating and cooling equipment, lighting and fans.

Saving energy with ENERGY STAR

For each product category, the ENERGY STAR website provides an overview plus a comp chart of those products that have received the rating. Let’s take a look at washers: The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year. With an ENERGY STAR-certified washer, you would be using about 25% less energy and 40% less water than with a regular washer.

Oddly, when it comes to lighting, the site focuses on the more traditional ENERGY STAR incandescent lamps rather than on LED lighting. As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, LED is becoming the industry standard. For residential and commercial new construction or remodeling projects, Roberts Electric is consistently finding that LED is the lamp of choice for a variety of key reasons–a single LED bulb can last ten years or more and LED now comes in a wide variety of applications.

A new designation: ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2015

Products earn the ENERGY STAR label by meeting strict requirements defined by the EPA. This year, there’s a new designation: ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2015, recognizing products that deliver cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. Advanced Clothes Dryers is a winner and will save you approximately 40% in energy and reduce carbon emissions by 40%.

Look for PG&E rebates and tax credits

PG&E has been a long-time ENERGY STAR partner, helping customers save energy and money by offering rebates and incentives on energy-efficient products, benchmarking energy usage, and collaborating with manufacturers and retailers to sell more efficient products. PG&E was named the 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year/Sustained Excellence Award for the utility’s continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR programs for consumers: Take the Pledge

Take the Pledge is a self-motivated program for consumers, a commitment to make their homes more energy-efficient. There are 5 categories: Lighting, Electronics, Appliances & Water Heaters, Heating & Cooling, Seal & Insulate. In each category, you click on a box if you commit to purchase an ENERGY STAR appliance/product or replace your light bulbs with LEDs. The Pledge also includes smaller commitments that will save energy–changing your air filter regularly and sealing and repairing leaks in your duct system.

Other programs and tools for homeowners

The ENERGY STAR website is extremely well integrated and comprehensive. There are apps, tips and FAQs. You can use the Home Energy Yardstick to assess your home’s energy use and see how you measure up against similar homes in your area. With My ENERGY STAR, you can create your own ENERGY STAR account, with a dashboard and a 67-item to-do list. Items include choosing an ENERGY STAR TV, installing new (LED) porch lights, weather-stripping around windows and doors, etc.

ENERGY STAR FYI:
  • If all televisions sold in the United States were ENERGY STAR certified, the energy cost savings would grow to more than $620 million each year.
  • Target and Staples won the Top Certifiers 2015 award—they have more than 150 buildings each that are ENERGY STAR-rated.
  • 89% of consumers recognize the ENERGY STAR label, and the majority of consumers have a high understanding of the message behind the label.

If you have questions about updates to your electrical system to accommodate new appliances or electronics as part of an ENERGY STAR home improvement project or remodel, call Roberts Electric @ 510.834.6161.

Tips for a Functional, Energy-Efficient Home Lighting Design

Roberts Electric is working on a lot of remodeling projects these days. After a long recession that forced homeowners to put their projects on hold, these remodeling projects are back on the front burner.

While some of these remodeling projects are small, for others the scope is fairly extensive. In many of the older Bay Area homes around Oakland, Berkeley and Albany, a kitchen remodel is not just about the kitchen; rather, homeowners are knocking down walls and opening up the entire living area to accommodate today’s casual lifestyles.

Roberts Electric: 80+ years of lighting design expertise
Roberts Electric Kitchen Remodel

For all of Roberts Electric’s new remodeling projects, LED has become the standard.

We work with our clients to help them understand that developing a lighting plan is as important as the color palette and architecture. The first things to identify are how a space is to be used and the amount of available natural light—these help determine the amount of light needed for optimal functionality.

We talk about layers of lights, defined by the height of the lights and their general function—divided into four categories:

  • Ambient lighting. Area lighting that illuminates the general area, allowing occupants to perform general tasks. The traditional overhead light, accessible from a wall-mounted light switch is a good example.
  • Task lighting. Light provided for specific jobs or acts, such as over kitchen counters or a reading lamp beside a chair.
  • Accent lighting. Light that highlights special items or features–a series of lights pointed down on a brick wall to accentuate its texture.
  • Decorative lighting. The light fixture is the focus; its purpose is more about aesthetics than illumination.

When planning your home’s lighting schematic, Roberts Electric always recommends selecting at least two light layers to ensure both a warm, inviting atmosphere and enough functionality to work or read.

Choosing bulbs or lamps

Residential lighting generally involves three types of lamps: incandescent (old-fashioned light bulbs), fluorescent, and light emitting diode (LED). In the interest of energy conservation, the standard incandescent light bulb is quickly being phased out. For all of Roberts Electric’s new remodeling projects, LED has become the standard.

Light switches and their placement

Thoughtful lighting plans also consider the way that lighting is controlled. Installing dimmer switches rather than wall switches extends their functionality. Other control options include occupancy sensors which make lights motion-activated, programmable light controllers and whole-house lighting system controls. These systems add convenience, function and energy savings.

While designing your lighting systems, here are a few things to keep in mind.
  • Use natural daylight when possible. Light should supplement natural light.
  • Look for ENERGY STAR-rated light bulbs and light fixtures, as they will use less energy.
  • Make lighting controls accessible. Locate switches where everyone—young, old, and handicapped–can access them.
  • Vary the light. Bright light without any contrast or shadows looks artificial.
  • Aesthetics. Lighting plans can be designed to minimize the negative and showcase the positive.
  • Plan for several circuits. It takes a little more work, but it allows you to control more lights independently. This makes your lighting more functional and increases value.
If you have questions about designing a lighting plan for your home improvement project or remodel, Call Roberts Electric @ 510.834.6161

Fire Season Safety with Enhanced Smoke Detectors

roberts electric nest

Nest makes smoke detectors with enhanced features that you can easily disable for false alarms from cooking.

Who can forget the Oakland Hills fire of 1991 that filled the sky with smoke and turned the hills into an inferno, destroying countless homes, priceless possessions and memories of happier times. Late summer and early fall is when the wind picks up and increases fire danger. This year it’s even worse–we’re facing our fourth year of serious drought, and homes in wooded areas are especially vulnerable.

You don’t have to live in wooded areas to be vulnerable to fire. All it takes is an unnoticed spark from a barbecue or leftover firecracker, a smoldering cigarette butt. It could be as innocuous as a piece of class that self-combusts from the direct rays of the sun. The lack of appreciable rainfall coupled with drastic water conservation efforts has turned our landscapes into tinderboxes

Roberts Electric cautions customers to ensure smoke detectors are operational

People become frustrated by smoke detectors. Is this you? “I took a shower and it went off; I cooked and it goes off; failing batteries woke me up in the middle of the night.” Frustrated, you ripped out the batteries. You may think that if there’s a fire you’ll see or smell it in plenty of time to wake up, call the fire department, get your family and belongings out, right? Think about this. Every year there are 2,650 deaths, 12,890 injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage from house fires. One more stat: A National Fire Protection Agency study found that of smoke alarms that failed to activate during home fires, a whopping 73% of them had dead, missing, or disconnected batteries. Don’t take chances with the lives of your loved ones.

Improved smoke detectors with a hush feature

If you’re weary of these accidental triggers, it may be time for an update. The new smoke detector models have a hush feature—you can easily push a button to manually turn off the alarm that is cooking-activated. They also have built-in, tamper-proof batteries to ensure functionality.

More enhanced features from Nest

Nest has some elegant new solutions with gradients of alarm. To disable a false alarm, rather than balancing precariously on a chair, simply wave your hand three times in the air. Forget loud beeps, this products talks to you, telling you what is wrong. Nest Protect communicates with you, in varying degrees of urgency. In the center of the device is a color-coded ring that glows if there is a smoke or CO emergency; otherwise, it will glow green or yellow for a warning. At night, this doubles as a path light. This product is wifi-enabled and will synch with your other devices so you will receive updates.

Another common cause of house fires: Overburdened electrical circuits

Protecting your family with a smoke alarm is important, but it may also be time to take a look at your electrical components—a common cause of home fires. With the increased use of electrical devices today, it’s not uncommon for circuits to become overloaded. Take a minute and think about this. If you have five family members and each has a cellphone, tablet and laptop, that could be more than your home’s electrical system can handle—especially if yours is an older home, as is the case in many of Oakland’s neighborhoods.

Trouble signs of electrical system overload

If you’re frequently blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, if you notice outlets and switches that are hot to the touch, it’s time to call an electrician—these are all indicators of unsafe wiring conditions, which could result in fire; upgrading your wiring is an important safety precaution.

If you’re concerned about your electrical system’s ability to handle your current needs, call Roberts Electric for an assessment @ 510.834.6161. Let’s also talk about smoke alarms—stay safe during fire season.

 

Convert to LED: Save Money, Save the Environment!

We’re hearing a lot about LED lights these days—and for good reason. LED technology has grown rapidly and prices continue to come down. Here at Roberts Electric, clients who are doing any kind of residential, commercial or industrial improvements are routinely upgrading to LED to save money and the environment.

LED based on semiconductor technology

LED is an acronym for light–emitting diodes—they’re semiconductor devices that produce visible light when an electrical current passes through them. LEDs don’t burn out or fail; rather, they depreciate. Their life expectancy is based on when their output has decreased by 30%. LED lighting is found everywhere–Christmas lights, traffic lights, car headlights and brake lights as well as lighting in and around your home. Cities, including LA, Seattle and Boston, are upgrading their streetlights to LED.

LED lights don’t radiate heat; rather, it is drawn away via a heat sink, a passive device that absorbs the heat and dissipates it into the surrounding environment. This keeps the LED from overheating and burning out.

An LED bulb costs significantly more than compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), or incandescent competitors, but its lifespan is dramatically longer. LEDs cut your lighting energy use and you won’t have to change the bulbs for an estimated nine years—if your bulbs are hard to get to, LED becomes a very attractive upgrade.

Residential projects choose LED
Roberts Electric Kitchen Remodel 1

Roberts Electric kitchen remodels these days always include LED lights. This kitchen features recessed LED lights and LED lights in the fixtures over the island

Here at Roberts Electric, we’re working on a lot of kitchen remodels these days; for virtually all of these projects, homeowners are opting for versatile, energy-efficient LED lighting.

  • We’re installing soft recessed lighting underneath cabinets to illuminate countertops for cooking. These range from 6” to 45” long.
  • LED lights hang over islands and kitchen eating areas where families gather for work, play and meals.
  • Flush-mounted LED ceiling lights provide extra illumination and can be dimmed for restrained light.
  • LED light bulbs may be used in many of today’s beautiful, customized, as well as off-the-shelf light fixtures, including chandeliers.
  • LED also lends itself to outdoor application—low voltage LED landscaping lights are perfect for walls, steps, for use as side lights and may also be used in flood lights.

There’s a good reason homeowners and commercial project managers are choosing LED lighting.

  • Reduces energy costs and efforts, using at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting.
  • Offers convenient features such as automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors on some outdoor models.
  • Is durable. The bulbs don’t break like incandescent bulbs and are cool to the touch. Colors are bright and pure, measured on a Kelvin scale.
  • Comes on instantly, is silent and doesn’t flicker when dimmed.
Converting to LED

LED bulbs will fit your existing light fixtures. In most cases, the bulbs are the same size if not slightly smaller than the bulbs they replace. LED bulbs are available at a variety of price points and quality varies accordingly. IKEA’s LED bulbs range from $4-9. As with most things, you get what you pay for. The bulbs at the lower end of the price spectrum do not last as long and do not come with a warranty. A recent consumer review rated the Cree 60W as an industry leader—cost is $10-15, but this bulb comes with a ten-year warranty. COSTCO also carries high-quality LED lights.

What’s the Payback?

This table compares initial cost and operating expense for a single LED PAR 30 bulb with the equivalent CFL, halogen, and incandescent bulbs. Given that many of the numbers Roberts Electric LED_paybackused here are more conservative than those in the government-mandated “Lighting Facts” table found on lamp packaging, this table represents a “worst case” scenario. The 15,000-hour LED bulb life estimate is itself conservative. In a fixture specifically designed for LEDs, bulbs can last two or three times longer (40,000 to 50,000 hours).

Florescent lights and LED

There are several steps, but essentially this is no more difficult than a bulb and ballast replacement.

  1. Remove the fluorescent tubes, and then remove the ballast.
  2. Replace the existing tombstones (only if necessary). This step may be required with single ended powered tubes if you have shunted tombstones.
  3. Rewire the fixture to accommodate the LED tubes.
Questions about converting to LED for your home or business? Call Roberts Electric @ 510.834.6161

Employee Highlight: Chris Riley

Roberts Electric Chris Riley

Chris Riley has a BA in Musical Performance and is a serious musician

Chris Riley has taken a circuitous route to Roberts Electric. He installed data communications systems and fire alarm security, worked in a bakery and spent six grueling months moving pianos. Chris also has a BA in Musical Performance from Cal State East Bay and is a serious musician. He plays the trumpet for the West County Winds, which has been performing in the East Bay for more than 30 years.

Chris joined RECO 4 years ago as an electrical trainee

He is still taking classes and expects to take the general test next year, when he will become a certified electrician—“basically, this will be my diploma in the electrician field.” Chris is part of the commercial team that has been involved with a series of high-profile tenant improvement projects throughout the Bay Area.

“I’m working on the Sephora store in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza right now. I love that every job is different and that it involves collaboration, creativity and problem-solving skills. I’m always learning something new, which I enjoy.”

With the concert season over for the year, Chris has turned his attention to baseball. He roots for both the A’s and the Giants and plays in an Alameda softball league—his team–the Leftovers. Chris also enjoys camping “anywhere there is water, trees and not many people—I’m also looking forward to a trip to Alaska in July.”

An important part of Chris’ life: a rock band  

Chris has been the guitar player in an 8-person rock band, S.O.L, for more than 15 years. “We don’t play many shows, but the rules are strict: we have to have fun every time we play. We are currently working on our third album.”

Family Room Remodel for Berkeley Architect

RobertsElectric family room

Roberts Electric rewired and upgraded the electrical, installing recessed LED lighting as well as LED fixtures over the game table and desk

We’ve been in business in the Bay Area for more than 80 years, and we’re proud of our longstanding relationships with both customers and the other service partners with whom we collaborate. These are people who value quality work and customer service–they hold themselves to the same high standards to which we hold ourselves.

Roberts Electric recently completed the electrical on a remodeling project for a family room and bathroom for Berkeley architect Caitlin Lempres Brostrom, of First Bay Architecture.

We’ve collaborated with Caitlin on several projects, so we were delighted to do the electrical on her home. W.A. Rose was the contractor on Caitlin’s job—this relationship goes back to 1960, when Dan’s father and mother, Don and Cora Pitcock, first began partnering with Rose—that’s an astonishing 55 years working with W.A. Rose on quality construction projects!

The goal of this project was to expand the functional living area at the rear of the house, which required repositioning several rooms. The laundry room was moved to the basement, and the powder room was relocated into what had been the pantry.

The single window and door onto the patio was replaced with a sliding French door and an overhang–into which we installed recessed LED light fixtures. We rewired and upgraded the electrical, installing overhead recessed LED lights in the family room as well as individual LED light fixtures over the game table and desk.

With its hardwood floors, built-in cabinets, bookshelves and soft LED lighting, this is now a warm, inviting, functional room in which this family gathers to work and play.

Ask Roberts Electric about upgrading your living space to LED lighting–save money and the environment: 510.834.6161
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Roberts Electric (RECO) is proud to be Diamond Certified for 24 straight years. Roberts Electric is also a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

To schedule an appointment or to arrange for service, please see our service area and request a quote here, or call 510-834-6161.