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Frequently Asked Questions
My smart home devices keep resetting and the lights flicker during storms. Is this a problem with Dominion Energy's grid?
Flickering during seasonal thunderstorms often points to grid disturbances from Dominion Energy, which are common in our area. However, it can also reveal vulnerabilities in your home's own electrical system. Modern electronics are sensitive to even minor voltage sags and surges. While utility-side issues occur, protecting your equipment requires a layered defense: ensuring tight connections at your panel and installing whole-house surge protection to clamp damaging spikes before they reach your devices.
Our Innovation District home was built in 2010. Why do the lights dim when the microwave and air conditioner run together?
Homes from that era, including yours with 16-year-old NM-B Romex wiring, were designed for a different era of appliance loads. Modern 2026 devices, especially high-draw kitchen gadgets and updated HVAC systems, place a much greater simultaneous demand on your 150-amp panel's circuits. This can cause voltage drop, manifesting as dimming lights, because the original branch wiring and panel layout weren't planned for today's concurrent high-wattage usage. An assessment of your specific circuit loading and panel configuration is the first step to a solution.
We live on a rolling hill near the Science Center. Could the terrain be affecting our home's electrical grounding?
The rolling urban landscape and varying soil composition can impact grounding electrode resistance. Rocky or overly dry soil, common on slopes, may not provide the low-resistance path to earth that the NEC requires. This can compromise the effectiveness of your ground fault protection and surge dissipation. A ground resistance test can determine if your grounding electrode system needs enhancement, such as additional ground rods or a chemical treatment to improve soil conductivity.
My home has underground power lines. Does that affect where the meter and main panel can be located?
Yes, an underground service lateral from Dominion Energy dictates specific placement. The utility-owned meter socket is typically installed on an exterior wall, and your main service panel must be located within a specified distance from it, as defined by code. This often places the main panel in a garage, basement, or utility room directly behind the meter. The underground feed offers reliability benefits against wind and tree damage, but it requires precise coordination between the utility and the electrician during any service upgrade.
I heard Federal Pacific panels are dangerous. I have one in my 2010 home. Can I still add a Level 2 EV charger or a heat pump?
Installing major new loads on a Federal Pacific panel is not advisable. These panels are known for faulty breakers that can fail to trip during an overload, creating a serious fire hazard. Before considering a 240-volt EV charger or heat pump, the panel must be replaced with a modern, UL-listed unit. Your existing 150-amp service may also need an upgrade to 200 amps to safely support the added continuous load of those appliances alongside your home's other demands.
What permits and codes are involved for a major electrical panel upgrade in Innovation, VA?
A panel replacement is a permitted job that must adhere to the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), which Virginia enforces. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation licenses master electricians to perform this work. We pull the required permit through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, which includes inspections to ensure the new installation meets all safety and capacity requirements. Handling this compliance is a core part of our service, ensuring your system is both safe and legally sound.
The power is completely out and I smell something burning near the panel. How fast can an electrician get to the Innovation District?
For an emergency like a burning smell, which indicates an active fault, treat it as urgent and call 911 if you see smoke or sparks. From our dispatch near the Innovation Science Center, we can typically be en route via I-64 within minutes for life-safety calls, aiming for a 12 to 15-minute arrival in your neighborhood. Please shut off the main breaker if it is safe to do so and evacuate the area immediately while waiting for first responders.
How should I prepare my home's electrical system for a winter ice storm or a summer brownout in Innovation?
Preparation involves addressing both reliability and protection. For winter storms, ensure your heating system is serviced and consider a professionally installed generator interlock for essential circuits. Summer brownouts, caused by peak AC demand, stress motors and compressors. A whole-house surge protector is critical year-round to shield electronics from grid fluctuations during these events. Also, verify your outdoor receptacle covers are weather-tight and that all GFCI protection is functional.
