Electrical

Let there be—well, you know how the saying goes. Electricity is the undercurrent of our home, powering our appliances and lighting our hallways. Most of us are fine left in the dark regarding the inner workings of electrical wiring and circuit breakers…until you’re, quite literally, in the dark. Use our expert guidance to help identify the wires behind your wall, learn how to protect your home’s electrical system, and source a list of professional electricians you can call when you’re frazzled.

man replaces light bulb in pendant light fixture
Photo: Rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock
man replaces light bulb in pendant light fixture
Photo: Rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock
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From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A technician in a black shirt and khaki pants walks away from a house wall with utility boxes, a ladder, and a blue "X" marking on it.
Breyden Kellam
•
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
Before you hire a licensed electrical contractor, you should learn the cost to run electric from the road to your house so you can budget for the project.
Technician smiling while using a multimeter to test wiring on an outdoor wall, enjoying his work on a sunny day with a lush background.
Alison Kasch
•
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
Rewiring a house can be a complex project but don’t let it catch you off guard. Read this to plan ahead and discover the cost to rewire a house.
A step stool holds electrical tools, outlet covers, and tape, while a tool bag and drill sit nearby, indicating electrical work in progress.
Ginny Bartolone
•
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
Looking to size up your electrical system to cover higher usage and improve efficiency? Use this guide to see the cost to upgrade an electrical panel.
Burned electrical wall outlet
Rachel Hoffman
•
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
A burning smell coming from your outlet indicates an electrical problem. Learn why an outlet can smell like burning, how to fix it, and when to call in the pros.
Woman holding child is filling up the bathtub
C.E. Larusso
•
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
An incorrectly sized breaker can lead to costly problems down the road. Use this guide to learn how to calculate the right breaker size for your water heater.
Mother helping daughter with her homework
Melissa Graham
•
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
Wiring a switch to an outlet is a relatively simple DIY that makes it easy to flip on your lights or devices. Find out how to wire a switch to an outlet.
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Portable electric generator
Michelle Nati  •  Mar 28, 2025
Generator vs. Inverter Generator: Which Should You Choose?
Traditional and inverter generators can provide off-grid or emergency power. Learn the pros and cons of a traditional generator vs. inverter generator.
Burned electrical wall outlet
Rachel Hoffman  •  Mar 27, 2025
Outlet Smells Like Burning: 5 Reasons Why
A burning smell coming from your outlet indicates an electrical problem. Learn why an outlet can smell like burning, how to fix it, and when to call in the pros.
Woman holding child is filling up the bathtub
C.E. Larusso  •  Mar 27, 2025
What Size Breaker for a Water Heater Is Best?
An incorrectly sized breaker can lead to costly problems down the road. Use this guide to learn how to calculate the right breaker size for your water heater.
A woman turning off a fuse box in her house
Melissa Graham  •  Mar 27, 2025
Circuit Breaker vs. Fuse Box: What’s the Difference?
If you’re trying to choose between a circuit breaker vs. a fuse box for your home, our guide will help you decide which electrical panel is right for you.
Mother helping daughter with her homework
Melissa Graham  •  Mar 27, 2025
How to Wire a Switch to an Outlet: 8 Steps to Success
Wiring a switch to an outlet is a relatively simple DIY that makes it easy to flip on your lights or devices. Find out how to wire a switch to an outlet.
A woman turning on light to home
Mariel Loveland  •  Mar 26, 2025
Why Is My Dimmer Light Flickering, and How Can I Fix It?
Dimmer lights are a winner for ambiance, but they have a few common issues. This guide will show you why your dimmer light is flickering and how to fix it.
Electrical socket with multiple plugs
Tyler Lacoma  •  Mar 26, 2025
Electrical Load Calculation: 7 Steps to Determine Your Home’s Electrical Needs
Electrical load calculation will help you estimate the needs of your home’s electrical service. Find out how to calculate your home’s electrical load.
A female electrician wiring in new apartment
Tyler Lacoma  •  Mar 26, 2025
How to Install an Electrical Outlet in 12 Steps
Installing an electrical outlet in a home requires new hardware, wiring, and more. Here’s what you need to know about installing electrical outlets.
Exterior view of a modern house
Tyler Lacoma  •  Mar 26, 2025
Pros and Cons of a Whole-House Generator
Whole house generators can power homes when electric problems hit, but they aren’t for everyone. Here’s what you should know when you’re thinking about buying.
Circuit breaker box
Melissa Graham  •  Mar 26, 2025
What Causes a Circuit Breaker to Trip?
When you need to figure out how to find what is tripping your circuit breaker, our guide can walk you through the possible causes and how to identify them.
A step stool holds electrical tools, outlet covers, and tape, while a tool bag and drill sit nearby, indicating electrical work in progress.
Ginny Bartolone  •  Mar 25, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel? [2025 Data]
Looking to size up your electrical system to cover higher usage and improve efficiency? Use this guide to see the cost to upgrade an electrical panel.
A technician in a black shirt and khaki pants walks away from a house wall with utility boxes, a ladder, and a blue "X" marking on it.
Breyden Kellam  •  Mar 25, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Run Electric from the Road to Your House? [2025 Data]
Before you hire a licensed electrical contractor, you should learn the cost to run electric from the road to your house so you can budget for the project.