American Electric Co Get Protected!
Answers · Plainly

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we hear often. Answered plainly — no jargon, no upsell.

Section 1.0 — Backup power & generators

Backup power & generators.

PSPS events in Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley have increased every fire season since 2018. The two-day outage you experienced last year may be a three-day outage next year. A backup generator isn't preparing for a once-in-a-decade event — it's preparing for what's now an annual one. We'll walk through your specific neighborhood's outage history during a free assessment.
Section 2.0 — Panel upgrades

Panel upgrades.

For a typical residential 200A service upgrade in the Santa Clarita Valley, the on-site work is one day. Permitting through LA County usually takes 5–10 business days; we handle the application and the inspection coordination. You'll be without power for 4–6 hours during the upgrade itself.
Section 3.0 — EV charger installation

EV charger installation.

Yes — that's a very common situation. We'll evaluate your panel during the EV charger consultation. Often a panel upgrade is paired with the charger installation. Sometimes a dedicated subpanel makes more sense than a full main-panel upgrade. We'll explain options in plain English, with transparent pricing.
Section 4.0 — Licensing, permits & how we work

Licensing, permits & how we work.

Our crews work Monday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you have a genuine emergency — smoke, sparks, a burning smell, or downed wiring — call 911 first, then report it to your electricity provider (SCE or LADWP) so they can cut power to the line. For urgent electrical problems that aren't dangerous, call your nearest location during business hours and we'll help you figure out the safe next step: Santa Clarita (888) 441-9606 or Valley Glen (818) 812-6441.
Still have a question?

Ask us directly.

Don't see your question? Call your closest location — Santa Clarita (888) 441-9606 or Valley Glen (818) 812-6441 — or book a free on-site assessment.

  • Licensed C-10 contractor (#938027) — fully insured
  • Generac & Kohler authorized — permits handled for you
  • Clear, itemized quotes after a free on-site assessment
  • Mon–Sat, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM at both Valley offices
  • A real human answers — not a queue