Home › FAQ
Electrician FAQ
Straight answers to the electrical questions New Mexico homeowners and businesses ask us most.
Questions and answers
What areas does National Electric NM serve?
We serve all of New Mexico, from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Rio Rancho to small towns in every county. See the full list on our locations page.
Are you available 24/7?
Yes. Call (888) 633-7804 at any hour. Urgent calls go to our emergency electrician.
What counts as an electrical emergency?
A burning smell, sparking or scorched outlets, a hot or buzzing panel, loss of power to part of the house, or water reaching electrical equipment. If you see smoke or flames, leave and call 911 first. Read what to do about a burning smell or sparking outlet.
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
The circuit is overloaded, there is a short or ground fault, or the breaker itself is worn out. Our electrical troubleshooting service finds which. More in why breakers trip.
Why are my lights flickering?
One light flickering is usually the bulb or fixture. Whole-house flickering can mean a loose main or neutral connection and should be checked quickly. See flickering lights: causes and fixes.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel?
If your panel is 100 amps or smaller, full, a fuse box, or a known problem brand, and you are adding air conditioning, an EV charger, or a hot tub, probably yes. Learn about electrical panel upgrades and what they cost.
Can you install an EV charger at my home?
Yes. We install Level 2 chargers and Tesla Wall Connectors. See EV charger installation and our EV charger guide.
I am switching from a swamp cooler to refrigerated air. What electrical work is needed?
Refrigerated air usually needs a new 240 volt dedicated circuit and sometimes a larger panel. Details in our conversion guide.
Is old wiring dangerous?
Knob and tube and aluminum branch wiring both need attention. We offer old wiring replacement and whole house rewiring. Read what homeowners should know.
Should I get a generator or a battery?
Generators deliver more power for longer; batteries are silent and automatic. Compare them in generator vs. battery backup, or see generator installation and battery backup installation.
Do I need whole house surge protection in New Mexico?
With monsoon lightning every summer, it is inexpensive insurance for appliances and electronics. See whole house surge protection.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. For work that requires an electrical permit, we obtain it and meet the inspector.
Do you work on commercial properties?
Yes. Our commercial electricians serve offices, retail, restaurants, warehouses, and industrial sites, and offer scheduled electrical maintenance.
How do I get a price?
Call (888) 633-7804 and describe the job. For most work we look at it in person and give you a clear price before starting.
Need an electrician today?
Call any time. A real person answers, day or night.