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Avatar for WireOne, LLC
WireOne, LLC
4.0(
325
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Our tech was prompt, professional and friendly. We were given options with no pressure. We had new lights installed the same day. Love the LED instead of the buzzing and poor light we had with fluorescent"
Lighting
Lighting
Custom Lighting
Recessed Lighting
Lighting

+13

Response time11 hrs
195 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by82%of homeowners
Avatar for Jensen Electric LLC
Jensen Electric LLC
5.0(
6
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

The Jensen family’s history in electrical work spans three generations. It began with Kyle’s grandfather, who spent 47 years as a maintenance electrician with Mountain Bell. That dedication to craftsmanship continued with Kyle’s father, a well-respected electrical contractor in Southern Utah. Following in their footsteps, Kyle entered the trade early—starting as an apprentice at 16, earning his Journeyman license in 2002, and achieving his Master Electrician license in 2006. With that deeply rooted family foundation, he brings decades of hands-on knowledge to every project.\n\n

Gallery
Gallery
20 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Bedwell Builders
Bedwell Builders
5.0(
17
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very prompt to respond, show up, submit quote and finish job. They also installed a new water heater. Very friendly and professional. Saved us money by using existing switches! Wonderful to work with and would definitely hire again and tell neighbors and friends to."
Response time1 day
Response rate92%
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Bedwell Builders
Bedwell Builders
5.0(
20
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very prompt to respond, show up, submit quote and finish job. They also installed a new water heater. Very friendly and professional. Saved us money by using existing switches! Wonderful to work with and would definitely hire again and tell neighbors and friends to."
Response time1 day
Recommended by45%of homeowners
Avatar for Busy Bee Electrical Services
Busy Bee Electrical Services
5.0(
26
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"David responded immediately to my request for electrical installation with a call to me to schedule a time to come to my house to see what electrical work I needed done and give me a quote. He was out to my house the next morning at 8:00am!!! I got other quotes from 4 other electrical companies and Busy Bee had the most competitive quote so I asked if he could come that Friday and he said yes and was there by 9:30am and did an excellent job…exactly what I’d asked for, done so well it even looks better than I’d hoped it would. He is licensed, insured, professional, yet personable and friendly. I also found him to be prompt and efficient, honest and trustworthy. I’ve referred him to a realtor that manages several properties for her to begin using Busy Bee to do all of the electrical work that needs to be done to the properties she manages. You can’t go wrong in hiring Busy Bee!"
Adding a sub panel
Adding a sub panel
Adding a sub panel
Power at the pole
Power at the pole

+5

60 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Jenson Electric, LLC.
Jenson Electric, LLC.
4.4(
7
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Jenson Electric is a full-service electrical contractor providing versatile solutions across residential, commercial, industrial, and telecommunications sectors. Based in Johnston, IA, we design, install, and maintain electrical systems that power people, facilities, and networks?safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. Our team combines ~licensed electricians, project managers, and field engineers~ to deliver projects on time, on budget, and in full compliance with applicable codes. We prioritize safety, quality, and minimal disruption to occupants and operations.\n

Response time2 days
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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

As a safety measure, you should always turn off the main breaker while operating your generator’s backup breaker. In addition, you should also switch off all appliance breakers so you don't have a power surge when the main breaker turns back on. And finally, turning off the main breaker prevents back-feeding, which endangers utility workers with the risk of electrocution. Back-feeding could also destroy the electrical circuits of your neighbors if they use the same power network.

A portable generator can supply power to selected appliances and circuits in a home, but it's generally not designed to handle the entire household's electrical needs simultaneously. Portable generators have limited wattage capacity, so they are only designed to power essential devices and electronics temporarily until local power is restored. If your power needs outweigh the capabilities of a portable generator, consider installing a whole-home generator instead.

Potential benefits of using a natural gas generator include reducing your carbon footprint, lower likelihood of carbon monoxide exposure, budget-friendly operating costs, and low-maintenance, continuous fuel supply. Some possible drawbacks, though, include higher initial installation costs, dependency on a natural gas supply, and installation complexity. Keep in mind that pros and cons will vary based on the type and brand of natural gas generator. 

Generators are safe to use as long as they are installed and operated correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The most critical safety tips are to never use a portable or fuel-powered generator inside an enclosed space due to the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning; always operate it outdoors where fumes can dissipate away from your home. Additionally, never attempt to connect a generator to your home’s electrical panel yourself—hire a professional to ensure the setup meets safety standards. Finally, avoid overloading the generator by not connecting more appliances than it is rated for, as this can damage your equipment or cause a fire.

In many cases, yes. There are models called dual-fuel generators and fuel switches, but only between certain types of fuel. For example, with the right setup you can convert a generator from natural gas to propane. Some allow switching between diesel and gasoline. There are even tri-fuel generators available in some cases, which adds a large layer of security if you are worried about fuel availability in times of crisis. Always check your generator capabilities and manual instructions before trying to switch fuels. Some generators can use another fuel but may need a fuel conversion kit to prep them first.

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.