“We live in a world of cosmetics, where everyone focuses on the eye candy in a house, while neglecting the aging electrical infrastructure,” says Alan Fortin, master electrician and founder of Lighthouse Electric of San Jose, which has specialized in expertly wiring and repairing South Bay homes since 1989. A South Bay native with 32 years electrical experience, Alan teamed up last year with co-owner Christopher Bowman, whose previous career in the electronics industry included a strong background in customer service. Alan and Chris warn area homeowners that renovating a house is incomplete—and unsafe—unless the electrical system has been upgraded to handle the demands of today’s homeowners.

“The Bay Area is full of homes built during the boom of the 60s and 70s, before things like microwaves, dishwashers, home theater systems, and home computer networks became commonplace,” says Chris. Thirty years ago, one circuit was enough for the entire kitchen. Today, the national electrical code requires a dedicated circuit for each major appliance. In addition, the electrical hardware used when these homes were built is at or near the end of its lifespan. Some commonly used components, such as Zinsco and Federal Pacific brand meter mains and subpanels, are no longer sold because they are known to malfunction and should be replaced immediately.

Some problems will be obvious—such as switches or plugs that get hot, lights that dim when you use the microwave, or circuits that shut off when you run the vacuum cleaner or hairdryer. But others are harder to spot and can be dangerous. That’s why Alan and Chris recommend having a full inspection by a licensed electrician before you buy a new home or renovate the one you live in.

The first thing Lighthouse Electric looks for when inspecting a home is whether the previous owner had any electrical work done—and if it was done by a certified electrician whose work was permitted and inspected by the city. “With electrical work, if it isn’t code, it isn’t safe,” says Alan. “Yet there are more unskilled people handling electrical work than any other trade. At Lighthouse Electric, we believe that if we can’t improve your house, we don’t belong in your house. So we focus on things that other contractors don’t focus on.”

Lighthouse Electric works with its customers to solve existing electrical problems and design new lighting and wiring solutions. The company pulls permits, does the work right, and gets all the final inspections. After the job is done, the company backs all labor and service with a lifetime guarantee. The company’s reputation for exceptional customer services has earned Lighthouse Electric commendations from clients, a spotless record with the Better Business Bureau, the Rand McNally Spirit of Achievement Award, and the prestigious Diamond Certified award. “I’ve always believed in not just getting the job done, but getting the job done better, so Lighthouse Electric has always maintained the highest professional standards,” says Alan. “Chris has taken us to a higher level of awareness of what it takes to fulfill our customers’ goals.”

In the midst of all of your home improvements, making sure your home has a safe, well-maintained electrical system is one of the most valuable projects you can invest in.

To find out how Lighthouse Electric can resolve all your home electric needs, call (408) 590-7565 or visit www.lighthouselectric.net.