Choose Us When You Need an Electrical Company
Durham has been growing and reinventing itself for over a century. From pre-war bungalows in Watts Hospital-Hillandale and knob-and-tube wiring in Old North Durham, to the newer construction going up across South Durham, the electrical systems and their needs here are as varied as the neighborhoods themselves. Whatever your home’s age, history, or next chapter, you need an electrician in Durham, NC, who knows the difference.
At Blaze, we bring over 50 years of experience providing home services in North Carolina, with talented technicians on our side. Whether you live in Parkwood, Hope Valley, Braggtown, or anywhere in between, we take pride in the services we provide for our Durham customers.
The Different Types of EV Chargers We Install
Investing in an electric vehicle (EV) is a great way to lessen your environmental impact while saving some money in the long run. Many EV owners need to have an electrician in Durham, NC, install an outlet in their garage or upgrade their electrical system to handle the new demand.
Here’s a look at the different types of EV chargers:
- Level 1: The basic type of charger, these can plug into a standard 110V outlet.
- Level 2: The most common type of charger that we install, Level 2 chargers require the installation of a 220V outlet and usually involve upgrading your electrical panel to meet the new demands. They charge much faster than Level 1 chargers.
- Level 3: Level 3 chargers are those that you see at roadside charging stations.
Count on Blaze for competent EV charger installation in Durham, NC, and the greater Research Triangle region. We work with you to determine which type of charger is right for you.
Do You Need Panel Upgrades or Repairs?
Your electrical panel is an important part of your home’s electrical system. It provides power to your home and routes it to different circuits. Each room may have only one circuit or multiple — for example, your kitchen likely has multiple circuits and multiple breakers controlling those circuits because there are large appliances that draw on electricity located there. A bedroom or a study, however, may only have one circuit for the whole room.
If you need an electrical panel upgrade or repair, you’ll need the services of an electrical company in Durham, NC. Our team can quickly diagnose the problem and help you decide if you need repair or replacement. This may happen if your electrical panel becomes too old or can no longer handle the power demands of your household.
Generator Installation & Repair
Power outages are quite common in North Carolina, and they’re often weather-related. In 2022 alone, there were 10 major power outage events across North Carolina. Scheduling generator installation ensures you will no longer have to be without electricity during or after a major storm, the time when you may need power the most.
Without a generator installation, you may not be able to:
- Keep perishable items cold
- Have access to medical devices like an oxygen tank
- Open your garage
- Access the internet or critical modes of communication
- Control the temperature in your home, if your HVAC system runs on electricity
These are all crucial uses of electricity, and this problem can be solved if you get a generator installed. Our electricians in Durham can walk you through our options for new generators, as we are a certified Generac dealer, and we can handle the process of installation for you. We also provide generator repairs and maintenance to keep your generator in top shape, so it functions properly when you need it most.
The Source for Your Lighting Installations
When you’re looking to upgrade the lighting in or around your home, you’ll want to choose an electrical company in Durham, NC, that’s experienced and versatile.
In addition to outdoor lighting and security lighting, we offer a wide array of indoor lighting options, including long-lasting LED lights, recessed lighting, and more.
When you’re adding lighting to your home, consider the following:
- Uplighting or Downlighting: Is the location you’re illuminating better lit from the ground or from above? Many landscape features are best highlighted with uplighting, for example.
- Recessed or Statement: Recessed lighting is subtle ambient lighting that can effectively brighten a room. But sometimes you want to make a bigger statement with your fixtures. Chandeliers or pendant lighting fixtures are decorative options that are also functional.
- LED Lighting: You may historically have gone with incandescent bulbs, but LEDs can increasingly do the same thing at a much higher efficiency. We can help you retrofit your home and fixtures to accommodate LED lighting.
Durham Neighborhoods We Service
- Old North Durham
- Watts Hospital-Hillandale
- Trinity Park
- Northgate Park
- Forest Hills
- Morehead Hill
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do older Durham homes in older neighborhoods have more electrical problems?
Older Durham neighborhoods (like Old North Durham, Trinity Park, and Watts Hospital-Hillandale) are home to a lot of pre-1970s homes, many that still have original knob-and-tube or early aluminum wiring.
Knob-and-tube systems were designed to handle just the output of a couple of light bulbs (and maybe an iron), not modern systems with EV chargers drawing 200+ amps, making them extremely outdated. If you’re renovating or buying in one of these areas, scheduling an electrical inspection is a non-negotiable part of the process.
Are there specific electrical code requirements in Durham I should know about?
Durham follows the North Carolina State Building Code, which adopts the NEC with state amendments. In practice, this means requirements like AFCI protection in living spaces, GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas, and dedicated circuits for large appliances.
Durham also has its own permitting and inspection process via the Durham One Stop permitting portal, and turnaround times and requirements differ from neighboring Wake or Orange counties.
Let Us Know How We Can Help
When you need electrical services in Durham, NC, Blaze is here for you. Our team has been serving the Research Triangle region since 1979, and we would love the opportunity to put our experience and expertise to work for you. Reach out to us today to learn more.