Category Archives: Services

Ceiling fans

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans can bring numerous energy saving benefits to the home. Most Ceiling fans use only about as much power as a 100 watt light bulb. When used properly, ceiling fans can save you money in utility bills in both the winter and summer months.

When you decide you are ready to install a new ceiling fan in your home or a replace an old one, don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

There are actually many benefits to having a ceiling fan all year long. I would like to list the benefits of installing a ceiling fan in your new home.

In the winter time, a ceiling fan circulating the air helps to distribute warmth coming from a space heater or heating stove around the neighboring rooms of the house.

In the summer months, your ceiling fan offers the greatest energy saving benefits when run in a counter-clockwise direction. While a ceiling fan does not necessarily lower the temperature, it does make the room feel cooler by providing a circulatory breeze. If the outside temperature is not too high, you might be able to achieve a comfortable environment by turning off the HVAC altogether, by opening a few windows and allowing the ceiling fan to circulate warm air outdoors. Effective circulation can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler, and reduce air conditioning bills by up to 40%.

Ceiling fans provide alternative for the air conditioner, when the heat is not too bad, and they are less costly in electricity. The electricity consumed by operating a ceiling fan is pennies per month when compared to dollars a month for a modern efficient air conditioner.

Ceiling fans can be an easy update to an old room and add significant circulation.

This is beneficial during summer months to circulate cold air and in the winter months to push down warm air. Whether you are looking for a quick decoration update or want to make your home more energy efficient, adding a ceiling fan could be a good choice for your home.

Installing a ceiling fan in your home can save you money each month on your utility bills, when used correctly.

Make sure your ceiling fans are strategically placed throughout your home or business in rooms that are used the most often. Also, make sure your ceiling fan blades are 7-9 feet above the floor, and 10-12 inches below the ceiling. Your ceiling fan should also be installed 18 inches away from any walls.

Angled ceilings require that you install “downrods” (also called extension tubes or downtubes) that will lower the motor and fan blades so they’ll clear a sloped ceiling surface. The more space between the ceiling and the fan, the better. The fan will have more air to draw from, and you’ll feel more air movement because the blades are closer to you.

Most fans come with a short downrod designed for mounting on 8-ft. ceilings. If your ceiling’s less than 8 ft., you’ll need to remove the rod provided and flush-mount the fan. But if you have a higher or sloped ceiling, purchase a longer downrod.

When you decide you are ready to install a new ceiling fan in your home or a replace an old one, don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

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Electricians in Ashburn, Virginia

Super Service LogoResidential Electrical Services in Ashburn, Virginia

When you need residential electrical services in Ashburn, RC Electrical Services is here to help! When you don’t have the right electrical contractor, your project becomes more difficult.

Whether you want to install new light fixtures, need a major upgrade to your circuit panel system or are interested in an energy saving consultation, RC Electrical Services are ready to assist you, ensuring all wiring is done safely and properly to the latest electrical code standards.

Our Residential Electrical Services in Ashburn, Virginia include:

  • New residential and small commercial projects
  • Remodels and Rehab
  • Service Entrance / Main Panel upgrades
  • Basement finished
  • Service calls and troubleshooting / Repair of existing electrical installations
  • Hot tubs, Spas and all major appliances
  • Upgrades homes to Current Electrical Code when buying / selling
  • Code Violation Correction
  • Install all lighting – including general, Under counter and Landscape lighting
  • Motion, Dusk to Dawn and Dimmer switch
  • Attic Fan
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Recessed and Track Lighting
  • Standby generator, Panels and Sub Panels
  • Baseboard Heating
  • Circuits, Lighting or Receptacle as needed
  • Telephone and Cable wiring installation
  • Telephone systems
  • Network Cabling
  • Modems
  • Path cords and Panels
  • Video Camera System
  • Whole House Audio and Communication System
  • Cinema Room (Custom Home Theater)

Residential Electrical Services in Ashburn, Virginia

When you need a residential electrician in Ashburn, there’s only one name you need to know: RC Electrical Services, owned by Rene Cartagena family business. Whether you want to upgrade your home to 200 amp service or need to install new outlet wiring, recessed lighting make us your company for all your residential electrical services and find out why we’ve been Ashburn’s most trusted electricians for nearly 15 years!

Need an Electrician in Ashburn, Virginia?

When you need an electrician in the Ashburn area, look no further than RC electrical Services owned by Rene Cartagena highly trained and certified Master Electrician can provide the best solution for the job, whether it’s new wiring installation, ceiling fan installation or electrical inspections.

RC Electrical Services has been servicing the needs of domestic clients in Virginia for over 15 years. Our Construction Department provides electrical solutions to small and new residential construction. Wide knowledge of electrical contracting service industry

Familiarity with NEC and local codes. Expert troubleshooting solving and customer service skills.

Contact an Electrician in Ashburn, Virginia

Contact RC Electrical Services where we provide results that are the distinction between being called back and being invited back. Call us today or fill out the online form on the bottom!

When you don’t have the right electrical contractor, your project becomes more difficult.

RC Electrical Services
Rene Cartagena
(703) 618-1571
rene@rcelectricalservices.net
www.rcelectricalservices.net

Whether you want to install new light fixtures, need a major upgrade to your circuit panel system or are interested in an energy saving consultation, RC Electrical Services are ready to assist you, ensuring all wiring is done safely and properly to the latest electrical code standards.

where we provide results that are the distinction between being called back and being invited back.

Testimonials

 

February 09, 2013

RC Electrical Services is an excellent contractor for performing many different kinds of home improvement projects. I have used RC Electrical’s services on 3 separate projects, and I have been a customer for over 2 years. Each project was bigger and more complex than the other project. In ALL instances RC Electrical showed advanced expertise and great innovation. They are also very through, clean and organized after the completion of the project. Here is what they have done for us:
1) Improvement of the electrical structured cabling of our electrical outlets.
2) Installation of Closed Circuit TV Security Camera system.
3) Rewiring of the Kitchen Lights and kitchen cabinet lights.

I am also going to use their services to do entire wiring for the basement of our house including power, data and multimedia (sound system wiring).

Thank you so much for your professionalism RC Electrical.

Murat P.

December 21, 2012

Rene and his crew were professional, prompt, great quality work and ensured that we were satisfied. Would highly recommend!

Details of work: 200Amps Electrical Panel Upgrade; Wire and installed Home Theater Speaker; 220 Amps Dedicate receptacle outlet installed in basement

Freda B.

August 18, 2012

Rene did an excellent job. On time, efficient, and thorough.. Bedroom ceiling fan installation looks great as well as new bathroom switch. Highly recommended.

William P.

October 14, 2011

Rene was a great electrical contractor. His work, and the way he conducted himself on the job site, and in public, was nothing but polite and professional.

We hired Rene to wire our basement. He installed 5 circuits worth of recessed lights, outlets, GFI outlets and 3-way switches.

He also cleaned up the sloppiness the home builder had left in the mechanical room.

He was always on time, and the inspector even complemented on the quality of his work. He said, “You can tell when someone knows what they are doing, the work is very clean and makes my job as an inspector very easy.” As a home owner, that is the kind of thing you want to hear when you are having people do work in the biggest investment of your life.

I will be recommending RC Electrical Service to all of my friends and use him for all future work.

Tim

September 21, 2011

RE: Electrical Services by Rene Cartagena

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I am writing this letter to highly recommend Rene Cartagena to provide electrical services.

During the past few weeks my family has employed Rene to do two separate large electrical jobs.

First, Rene completely redid the entire electrical system on an old (60 years or older) 1400 square foot cottage on our property.

The work involved redoing the entire electrical system — which had to be brought up to the International Code, including grounding, outside outlets, inside outlets, wiring for all appliances, furnace, well, air conditioning, telephone, internet and cable services, and installing a new breaker panel. In addition Rene hung light fixtures and installed recessed lights.

Second, we asked Rene to update the communications wiring in our primary residence….which did not have cable wiring or high speed internet wiring.

Rene did an excellent job on the work in both places.

First, since there was no general contractor or architect involved, Rene, after asking us about what we needed, figured out what had to be done to accomplish our goals, drew sketches to show us, and fully, carefully, and patiently explained to us his recommendations. Then he gave us fixed price proposals which were very reasonable.

Rene came when he said he would, did excellent work, kept the workplace as neat as he could (given that in both cases he was fishing wires behind walls), and was polite, courteous, and always pleasant on the job site. In the cottage where there were other tradesmen at work, Rene got along well and was able to get his work done efficiently.

The wiring for our primary residence was very complicated because we were trying to integrate old lines with new lines and to do as little damage to the drywall as possible. Rene had to do some complex wiring to make it all work…but he would not quit until he had it completely figured out.

Rene is well-organized, always brings the materials he needs to the job site, and is logical and careful. He clearly takes great pride in his work and wants it to be perfect. After he was done, with the assistance of his brother, the drywall was patched nicely and matching paint was placed on the walls so that none could see where the work had been done. Then Rene cleaned up the areas where they had done work, replaced all the furniture, and helped rehang pictures–all with patience and a cheerful disposition.

I have really enjoyed having Rene do this work for us and we look forward to calling him in the future to help us with our electrical needs.

I highly recommend him. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to telephone me at 202 994-3958 or 703 759-2951 or send me an e-mail at lzubrow@law.gwu.edu.

Sincerely,
Luize E. Zubrow

– Luize

September 19, 2011

I’m working at home and need a good internet wire connection, He came to my house and gave a solution to what I wanted
Thanks Rene.

– Sellers

September 19, 2011

I personally want to thanks and recommend the services of electrical installations provided by René Cartagena, The service is professionally done by the same person, very affordable prices within reach of every pocket and the references of his work give us the guarantee of a good work.

– Helen

Electrical Panel

Federal Pacific Electrical panel

Is your current home at associated risk of an electrical fire?

Look very carefully at your circuit breaker panel.

Numerous homes constructed during the 1970’s and 1980’s currently have electrical circuit breaker panels manufactured by Federal Pacific Electric.

In the event that your home has a Federal Pacific Electric Panel, make sure you read this particular information to understand much more about the dangers of malfunctioning circuit breakers in FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker panels FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker panels

Federal Pacific Electrical panel known problems:

  • Breakers do not always trip when circuit is overloaded
  • Breakers arc to the buss bar and damage it
  • Breakers are damaged by arcing and heat
  • Replacement breakers are expensive
  • Breaker failure can cause electrical fire

Cost For Upgrading an Electrical Panel

Electrical power through the electrical power company’s line generally flows through the homes outside meter and into the electrical panel, which usually controls the flow of electricity into the house.

Full electricity consumption will not exceed the panel’s capacity, which may be 100, 150, 200 or 400 amps.

Houses may additionally have sub-panels which are located someplace else, which are smaller sized versions of the main panel and wired through it.

Typical costs:

Typically it costs $850-$1,250 to have a qualified electrician upgrade an existing panel to 100 amps, if a new panel is needed the cost will be between $1,300-$1,900

Expect to pay $1,500-$2,800 to upgrade to 200 amps, or $2,000-$4,000 to go to 400 amps.

Installing a new sub-panel will be between $500-$1,500.

What should be included

Electrical panels in an older home probably have a reduced capacity, but 100 amps is the current minimum required, while 150 amps or 200 amps are common.

Several new homes have been built at 400 amps, which generally is achieved by using a 400-amp meter and two 200-amp panels.

This is simply not a do-it-yourself project; significant electrical wiring modifications ought to be done by a licensed electrical contractor.

Check with the local planning department for any local limitations or requirements; usually an electrical permit is needed.

Permit price varies widely across the country.

If required, the upgrading process of the electrical panel might include replacing outdated electrical wiring, installing a copper grounding rod, and removing and replacing the existing electrical circuit breaker/fuse panel.

 

RC Electrical Services