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Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.

Upgrading your electrical system can save you money on your monthly utility bills by powering your home more efficiently. Electrification nonprofit Rewiring America estimates that a household could save $1,800 per year on energy bills by upgrading to a modern electric heat pump, switching to a heat pump for their water, installing solar panels on the roof, and converting to an electric vehicle.

The life expectancy of a circuit breaker is 30 to 40 years. However, how long your circuit breaker lasts depends on the condition of your electrical equipment, the amperage, your electrical consumption, and more. A breaker box that frequently trips from overload will last much shorter than a breaker box with the proper amperage for the number of devices and appliances in use. If your circuit breaker trips frequently, and you have also increased your electrical consumption, it may be worth upgrading your electrical panel to extend your electrical system’s lifespan—and save you the hassle of frequent power trips.

Generally, you’ll want to keep between 60 and 70 feet between the generator and the transfer switch. There are a few reasons for this, including:

• The distance reduces the noise coming from the generator into your home.

• It increases efficiency because you won’t have a voltage drop from this short of a distance.

• Prevents carbon monoxide poisoning: keep at least 15 feet between your generator and an open window.