Frequently Asked Home Electrical Questions

  • Does Gorjanc Home Services offer electrical services in Cleveland, Ohio?

    Yes. Gorjanc Home Services is a licensed electrical contractor serving Cleveland and the surrounding Northeast Ohio suburbs, in addition to HVAC and plumbing services. Gorjanc holds Ohio electrical license #EL 51497 and has been serving area homeowners since 1963.

  • What electrical services does Gorjanc offer?

    Gorjanc provides residential electrical services including Generac standby generator installation, battery-powered backup generators, EV charger installation, and general local home electrical repair and service. As a full-service home contractor, Gorjanc can also handle related HVAC and plumbing work under one company.

  • What areas does Gorjanc's electrical service cover?

    Gorjanc's local electrical team serves Cleveland and dozens of surrounding communities, including Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Beachwood, Brecksville, Brunswick, Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, Mentor, North Olmsted, Parma, Rocky River, Shaker Heights, Solon, Strongsville, University Heights, Westlake, and more, from its Highland Heights and Middleburg Heights, Ohio locations.

  • Does Gorjanc offer emergency electrical service?

    Yes. Gorjanc treats electrical issues – such as flickering lights, tripped breakers that won't reset, or a complete power outage affecting part of your home – as urgent and works to get a licensed electrician to your home quickly. Call or text (216) 545-1776 for emergency electrical service.

  • Do I need a whole-home backup generator in Northeast Ohio?

    Northeast Ohio sees seasonal storms, heavy snow, and occasional grid outages that can knock out power for hours or days ‚ making a backup generator valuable for homes that rely on well pumps, sump pumps, medical equipment, or simply want to avoid losing heat or refrigeration during an outage. 

    A whole-home standby generator automatically powers your house within seconds of an outage, without the need to manually connect anything.

    Gorjanc sells and services Generac Home Backup Generators and is the exclusive distributor for Dory Power Battery Backup Generators.

  • What's the difference between a Generac standby generator and a battery-powered generator?

    • A Generac standby generator is permanently installed outside your home, runs on natural gas or propane, and automatically powers your home during an outage for as long as needed. 
    • A battery-powered generator stores electricity in advance and provides backup power for a limited time without fuel or exhaust, making it a quieter, no-maintenance option for shorter outages or specific circuits. Gorjanc installs both options depending on a home's needs and budget.

  • How much does it cost to install a home generator?

    Generator installation costs depend on the size of generator needed (based on your home's electrical load), whether a dedicated gas line needs to be run, and any electrical panel work required. Gorjanc provides a free in-home assessment to recommend the right generator size and give an accurate installation quote.

  • How often does a home generator need maintenance?

    Most standby generators should be serviced annually to check the battery, oil, air filter, and overall function, similar to maintaining a small engine. 

    Regular maintenance ensures the generator will actually start and run when a real outage occurs, since a generator that hasn't been tested can fail at the worst possible time.

  • Do I need an electrician to install an EV charger at home?

    Yes. Most Level 2 home EV chargers require a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and in many cases a licensed electrician needs to confirm your home's electrical panel has enough capacity before installation. Improperly installed EV chargers can pose fire and safety risks, so professional installation also helps ensure the charger is up to code and functions reliably.

  • How much does it cost to install an EV charger?

    EV charger installation costs depend on the charger itself, the distance from your electrical panel to the charging location, and whether your panel has enough available capacity (some installations require a panel upgrade). 

    Gorjanc provides a free assessment of your home's electrical system and a clear quote before any work begins.

  • Will installing an EV charger require upgrading my electrical panel?

    It depends on your home's existing electrical capacity and how much power is already in use by other appliances and systems. Older homes or homes with smaller panels (100-amp service, for example) are more likely to need an upgrade to a 200-amp service to safely support a Level 2 EV charger alongside everything else. Gorjanc can evaluate your panel and recommend whether an upgrade is needed.

  • Why do my lights flicker or dim when an appliance turns on?

    Flickering or dimming lights when an appliance starts is often caused by that appliance drawing a large amount of current on the same circuit, a loose electrical connection, or an overloaded circuit. Occasional minor flickering can be normal with large appliances like AC units or refrigerators, but frequent or worsening flickering should be evaluated by a licensed electrician to rule out a wiring or panel issue.

  • Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

    A circuit breaker that trips repeatedly is usually protecting your home from a circuit overload, a short circuit, or a ground fault, all of which mean something on that circuit is drawing too much power or has a wiring fault. While resetting the breaker once is normal, a breaker that trips frequently shouldn't simply be reset over and over; it should be diagnosed by an electrician to identify the underlying cause.

  • How do I know if my home's electrical panel needs to be replaced or upgraded?

    Signs your electrical panel may need an upgrade include frequent tripped breakers, a panel still using outdated fuses, visible rust or burn marks, a panel rated below 100 amps, or plans to add major loads like a generator, an EV charger, or a home addition. 

    An outdated or undersized panel can be both an inconvenience and a safety hazard, so it’s worth having a licensed electrician assess it. 

    If your home in Northeast Ohio was built between 1950 and the early 2000s, you may have a dangerous electrical panel. Brands like Federal Pacific Electric, Zinsco, and Challenger must be replaced immediately.

  • Does Gorjanc offer financing for electrical installations like generators or EV chargers?

    Yes. Gorjanc offers electrical service and installation financing with approved credit through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (an Equal Housing Lender) for electrical installations such as standby generators, EV chargers, and panel upgrades. Homeowners can pre-qualify online before scheduling an in-home assessment.