Pennsylvania · Philadelphia County
Electricians in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's rowhomes and twins were mostly built before 1940, and many still have knob-and-tube in the walls, small services and only a couple of outlets per room. Renovations almost always uncover wiring that needs replacing.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- 87 ZIP codes covered
- Serving Fishtown, South Philly, Germantown and more
Homes and wiring in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's rowhomes and twins were mostly built before 1940, and many still have knob-and-tube in the walls, small services and only a couple of outlets per room. Renovations almost always uncover wiring that needs replacing.
Rowhome panels are often in the basement near the front wall, and service upgrades need coordination with PECO. Adding central air, a kitchen remodel or a basement finish usually triggers a service upgrade.
Weather, seasons and the utility
Philadelphia sees hot, humid summers that strain older rowhome circuits when window air conditioners run, and winter storms and nor'easters that can bring outages and basement water. Summer thunderstorms also cause outages and surges, especially where trees overhang overhead lines in the northwest neighborhoods. PECO serves the city and handles meters, service drops and reconnection after a service upgrade. Because many rowhomes share walls and service entrances are close together, the electrician often coordinates with PECO on the meter location and service drop. Basement moisture is common, so panel placement and GFCI protection get extra attention.
Local issues electricians see
- Knob-and-tube and cloth wiring found during renovations
- Small services that cannot support central air or a modern kitchen
- Basement moisture around panels and outlets
Common calls in Philadelphia
Something urgent? See emergency electrician help or browse all electrical services.
- Philadelphia at a glance
- Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- ZIP codes covered
- 87
- Neighborhoods
- Fishtown, South Philly, Germantown, Fairmount, Mayfair, Roxborough
- Permits
- Pulled by the electrician
- Electric utility
- PECO
The utility owns the meter and service drop, so service upgrades and storm reconnections are scheduled with it.
Philadelphia FAQ
Who issues electrical permits in Philadelphia?
Electrical permits in Philadelphia are issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) to licensed electrical contractors.
Which Philadelphia ZIP codes are covered?
Electricians in our network cover 87 ZIP codes in Philadelphia, including 19019, 19092, 19093, 19099, 19101, 19102, 19103, 19104 and more.
What are the most common electrical problems in Philadelphia?
Knob-and-tube and cloth wiring found during renovations; Small services that cannot support central air or a modern kitchen; Basement moisture around panels and outlets.
Guides
Nearby and related metro guides
Need an electrician in Philadelphia?
Call now, or send a request and a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code will contact you.