Stay Safe and Comfortable with These Electrical Services

If you are an elderly or disabled homeowner in Gilroy, CA, and the Santa Clara Valley, you may have special needs regarding your home’s electrical system. You want to ensure your home is safe, comfortable, convenient, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. Luckily, various electrical services are available to help you achieve this goal.

As the premier group of electricians in Santa Clara County, Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric put together a guide to help you understand the electrical services available to you and your loved ones.

Working together, we can protect the most vulnerable.

Electrical Services to Help Fix Electrical Problems in Your Home

The professional electricians at Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric can handle any electrical issue in your home. We also offer inspections to seek out and deal with problems before they turn into disasters.

Here are some of the most common electrical issues we see:

Outdated electrical wiring: If your home was built before 1970, it might have outdated wiring or service panels that can pose a fire hazard or cause power outages.

Faulty outlets: If your outlets are loose, broken, or sparking, they can cause electric shocks or damage your appliances.

Overloaded circuits: Too many devices plugged into one circuit can overload it and cause it to trip, blow a fuse, or fire. These issues are not just inconvenient; they are also dangerous, especially if you rely on medical equipment.

Power surges: A sudden increase or decrease in voltage can damage your electronics or cause them to malfunction. Lightning strikes, faulty wiring, or power outages can create power surges.

By fixing these common electrical problems, Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric can help you improve your home’s safety, reliability, and performance, whether through electrical upgrades or new equipment like whole-house surge protectors or energy storage systems.

Financial Electrical Services

Elderly and disabled homeowners have access to many programs and grants that provide financial assistance for those who need to improve their home’s electrical system.

Here are some of the most popular programs:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program helps the most vulnerable, including older people, to save money on energy costs. They can also pay your utility bills or fuel costs, and this help includes free home repair and fuel costs.

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program: This program provides loans and grants for very-low-income homeowners who are 62 years of age or older homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes or remove health and safety hazards. With this program, you can receive a maximum loan of $20,000 or a maximum grant of $7,500.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): This program helps low-income families improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Doing so can help families save on heating and cooling costs while staying safe and healthy. WAP can enhance your home’s heating, cooling, and electrical systems.

Rebuilding Together: This is a national nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs for low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled, veterans, or families with children. They offer services such as electrical repairs, wheelchair ramps, plumbing, heating and cooling unit repair/replacement, roof repair/replacement, and more.

The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program provides a 30-35% discount on your electric and gas bills if you meet the income guidelines. If you have medical needs that make your utility bills too expensive to pay, you may qualify for an additional discount.

The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program provides an 18% discount on your electric bill if you have a household of three or more people and meet the income guidelines.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): The IRA is a newly signed legislation that helps homeowners save on eco-friendly electrical upgrades. You can earn tax rebates for things like updating your wiring/electrical panel, switching to electric appliances, purchasing an EV and home charging station, and more.

Taking advantage of financial assistance programs can save you thousands of dollars in utility costs and electrical upgrades.

Educational Electrical Services

An often overlooked but critical service for elderly or disabled homeowners is education on electrical safety. Proper planning can help prevent problems and keep you and your loved ones safe.

Here are some general tips for electrical safety in your home:

Avoid using extension cords as permanent wiring solutions. They can overheat, trip people, or cause fires. Use them only temporarily and unplug them when not in use. Replace damaged extension cords and tidy all electrical cords/cables to avoid tripping hazards.
Overloading an electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical problems. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time. If you need more outlets, use a power strip with a surge protector or install more outlets by a qualified electrician.
Keep electrical appliances away from water sources such as sinks, tubs, or pools. Water conducts electricity and can cause electric shocks or electrocution. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they work correctly. Replace the batteries at least once a year or when they beep intermittently.
Do not attempt to fix electrical problems yourself unless you are qualified and experienced, and you may end up causing more damage or injuring yourself or others. When in doubt, rely on a Gilroy electrician to handle your electrical needs.

Unmanaged cords can create a tripping hazard.

Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric: Your Trusted Partner

Numerous electrical services help protect the elderly and disabled, from inspections and upgrades to financial assistance for repairs and utility bills. Whether you need help in your own home or want to protect someone you care about in their home, let Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric be your trusted partner.

We have been helping home and business owners in the Santa Clara Valley for years with their electrical needs. We are a local, Gilroy-based company that cares about our customers and community, so we strive to offer top-notch service and excellent workmanship at affordable prices. We’re even available for emergency service and repairs.

If you are an elderly or disabled Santa Clara County homeowner needing electrical services, do not hesitate to contact us today. We will happily assist you with any electrical needs and make your home safer, more comfortable, and more accessible. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation today