Frequently Asked Questions about Electrical and Plumbing Installations, Residential and Commercial Construction Projects and WestCore Industries Ltd. FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will my electrical panel need to be upgraded?

Depending on your local insurance policy and/or the additional electrical loads you are adding to your home, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel. Examples of situations requiring an upgraded electrical panel include a new legal suite, adding a hot tub, or up sizing overall square footage.

If you have a 60 amp service, most insurance company polices require you to have a 100 Amp service. As well, if you are renovating your home or adding an electrical furnace or heat pump, you may require your main service size to be increased. The average cost to upgrade can start at $1,800.00 for a 100 Amp installation or $2,300.00 for a 200 Amp installation. Westcore Industries is available for accurate estimates including load calculations if you believe that you require a service upgrade.

Is there an electrical service maintenance plan I should be following?

Yes it is suggested to test all GFCI devices (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) at least once a month. You should also have a qualified electrician go through your panel and tighten all termination points. The inspection should include grounding and a check of all electrical systems to ensure they are in proper operation.

Do you have suggestions for handling power outages?

WestCore is a local installer of the Generac Power Systems Inc., makers of standby power generators for residential, commercial and industrial use. WestCore can sell and install a Generac power generator so that the system will automatically kick in when a power outage occurs. For more information on Generac products, please click here.

Where can I find information on reducing power consumption?

B.C. Hydro encourages power conservation and has a information, programs and contests to encourage power conservation. For more details, click here to visit the B.C. Hydro web site.

What is causing a shortage of hot water in my home or business?

There are several common reasons for a shortage of hot water. Two of the reasons we see most frequently are:

• A burned-out element in the hot water tank
• Too much demand on an existing hot water tank, perhaps because of more people living in a home, the addition of a basement suite or rapid of expansion of a business, especially if the business requires hot water.

Westcore can correct the first problem by testing the hot water tank element and replacing it if necessary. Westcore can correct the second problem by upgrading the old water tank with a tank sized to meet the increased demand.

Why is my water pressure low? Why does the water pressure suddenly drop when I'm having a bath or shower? Why does the cold water "cut out" in my shower so I get scalded.

This is a frequent problem that can be caused by several different factors. Older homes often have smaller lines leading from city water lines, so are more susceptable to drops in pressure, especially when more than one fixture is drawing water at the same time. For example, if the washing machine and dishwasher are both in operation, you may find you cannot get enough water pressure for a shower.
The easiest fix is an adjustment of the pressure reducing valve for the home. To avoid scalding, pressure balanced shower valves can be added to maintain an even temperature when showering.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can conserve water?

You can conserve water by using a low flush or variable flush toilets. Low flush toilets use less water on every flush. Variable flush toilets have two settings, one for low flush and one for heavy flush.

You can conserve hot water and energy by installing a recirculating pump. Advantages of a recirculating pump are:

• Hot water on demand
• Heating can be controlled by a timer to match peak usage, thus reducing power consumption
• Less use of the heating element in your hot water tank, which increases the longevity of your hot water heater.

For additional ideas on water conservation, click here to visit the Regional District of Nanaimo website.

More questions on plumbing issues?

If you have more questions or concerns about your plumbing, please click here to contact the mechanical and plumbing services division of Westcore Ltd.

If you have a general question about Westcore, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing that you would like to have answered, please click here to contact a WestCore office.