Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A transfer switch is required for safe whole-home generator operation. It connects your generator to your home’s electrical panel and automatically switches your home’s power source from the utility grid to the generator during an outage, and back again when power is restored. Without a transfer switch, your generator cannot safely power your home’s circuits, and connecting one improperly can create serious hazards for utility workers and your family. Asbury Electric installs automatic transfer switches as part of every whole-home generator installation. Call us at (757) 768-7147 to get set up.

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Getting an EV charger installed starts with a call to a licensed electrician. Asbury Electric will assess your home’s existing electrical panel to determine whether your current service capacity can support the added load of a Level 2 charger, which typically requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit. If your panel needs an upgrade, we handle that too. Once the panel is confirmed, we install and wire your charger and ensure everything is up to code. Schedule your EV charger installation by calling Asbury Electric at (757) 768-7147.

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It depends on your current panel’s capacity. Many older homes in Hampton Roads were built with 100-amp service, which may not have enough headroom to support the added demand of a Level 2 EV charger or a whole-home generator transfer switch. As part of any EV charger or generator installation, Asbury Electric evaluates your panel first. If an upgrade is needed, we’ll walk you through what that involves before any work begins. Call us at (757) 768-7147 to schedule an assessment.

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Yes, it can. Signs that your panel may be compromised include arcing, burning smells, corrosion, buzzing sounds, and visible scorch marks. Panels that are 20 to 30 years or older are at higher risk, particularly in the coastal Virginia climate where humidity accelerates corrosion. An outdated or damaged panel is one of the leading causes of residential electrical fires. If you notice any of these warning signs, do not wait — call Asbury Electric at (757) 768-7147 for an inspection.

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Common warning signs that your home may need rewiring include: frequently tripping breakers, flickering or dimming lights, outlets that feel warm to the touch, burning smells from switches or outlets, discolored wall plates, and visible damage to wiring. Homes built before the 1980s in Hampton Roads may also have aluminum wiring or outdated insulation that no longer meets modern safety standards. If you are experiencing any of these issues, the safest step is a professional electrical inspection. Call Asbury Electric at (757) 768-7147.

Schedule an Inspection

Asbury Electric performs a 50-point home electrical safety inspection that covers your entire electrical system. During the inspection, our licensed electricians check ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) that protect against electric shock, Fire Guard breakers that can prevent up to 98% of electrical fires on protected circuits, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and whether your grounding system was installed properly. We also change smoke detector batteries (if the detector is under 10 years old) and tighten connections in your breaker panel. Call (757) 768-7147 to schedule your inspection.

Schedule an Inspection

Yes. A standard home inspection does not always include a thorough review of the electrical system. Asbury Electric’s 50-point electrical safety inspection checks your panel, wiring, grounding, GFCI protection, and fire safety devices, issues that can be costly to repair after you’ve already closed on a home. Hampton Roads has a significant number of older homes, and electrical systems that appear functional can have hidden problems. Before you buy, call Asbury Electric at (757) 768-7147 to schedule a pre-purchase electrical inspection.

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Virginia’s storm seasons, from summer hurricanes and thunderstorms to winter ice and snow, regularly cause widespread outages across Hampton Roads. A single winter storm in Gloucester left 250,000 Virginia residents without power. When outages last more than a few hours, the costs add up fast: food spoilage, lost remote work productivity, hotel stays, and for homeowners with medical equipment, potential health risks. The most reliable solution is a whole-home standby generator, which automatically restores power when the grid goes down. Asbury Electric installs Generac generators and currently has units in stock. Call (757) 768-7147.

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Kitchen renovations almost always require electrical upgrades to meet current code and safely support modern appliances. Typically this includes dedicated circuits for the refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher, a 240-volt circuit for an electric range, GFCI-protected outlets near the sink and countertops, and updated lighting circuits. Attempting a kitchen renovation without addressing the electrical first can result in failed inspections and fire hazards. Asbury Electric works with homeowners and contractors throughout Hampton Roads to ensure electrical work is completed before the renovation begins. Call (757) 768-7147.

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Hot tubs and spas require a dedicated 240-volt, 50-amp circuit with GFCI protection, work that must be performed by a licensed electrician and permitted through your local jurisdiction in Virginia. The circuit must also be installed a minimum distance from the water’s edge per National Electrical Code requirements. Asbury Electric handles hot tub electrical installations throughout Hampton Roads and ensures every job is completed to code so your installation passes inspection. Call (757) 768-7147 to schedule.

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Power surges can be caused by lightning, damaged power lines, utility issues, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits. Signs of a surge include lights flickering on and off, appliances restarting unexpectedly, or electronics behaving erratically. While individual surge protectors offer some protection for single devices, whole-home surge protection installed at your electrical panel is the most effective way to protect all of your electronics and appliances at once. Asbury Electric installs whole-home surge protection throughout Hampton Roads. Call (757) 768-7147.

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Recessed lighting installation is not a straightforward swap, it involves running new wiring through your walls and ceiling, connecting to your home’s electrical system, and ensuring the circuits can handle the added load. The process varies depending on whether your home has attic access above the installation area, what type of insulation is present, and whether your existing circuits have capacity for additional fixtures. Asbury Electric handles full recessed lighting installations throughout Hampton Roads. Call (757) 768-7147 to schedule a consultation.

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Yes. Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) are the most effective way to protect children from electrical outlets and are required by the National Electrical Code in all new residential construction and renovations. Unlike plastic plug covers, which a Temple University study found 100% of toddlers aged 2–4 could remove within 10 seconds, TRRs have built-in spring-loaded shutters that only open when equal pressure is applied to both slots simultaneously, the way a standard plug works. TRRs must be installed by a licensed electrician. Asbury Electric can replace the outlets throughout your home. Call (757) 768-7147.

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