Elect Electric: Helping Central Coast Homeowners Upgrade Safely and Confidently
- Daniel Ehinger
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
When homeowners think about electrical work, it is often because something important has changed. Maybe they bought an electric vehicle, started a remodel, or discovered an issue with their home’s electrical system.
Sometimes, the situation is more urgent.
Recently, Elect Electric completed a project for a homeowner in Cambria whose insurance company had notified them that their outdated Federal Pacific electrical panel needed to be replaced in order to maintain coverage.
Federal Pacific panels are widely known in the electrical industry for safety concerns involving breakers that may fail to trip properly under dangerous conditions. For this homeowner, replacing the panel was not just about modernization. It was about protecting the property, maintaining insurance coverage, and improving overall electrical safety.
A Challenging Panel Replacement
This project involved more than simply swapping one panel for another.
The original panel was installed in an unusual position within the wall, making the replacement more involved than a standard panel change. The home also had older wiring methods, including some circuits without grounding conductors, which required careful planning to improve safety while working within the limitations of the existing system.
Because the property operates as a short-term rental, timing was critical. The work needed to be completed between guest stays so the home would be ready for the next visitors without interruption.
Elect Electric coordinated the entire project from start to finish, including:
Permit handling
PG&E coordination
Scheduling around rental occupancy
Panel replacement and circuit organization
Wall insulation repair
Finish wall repair and cleanup
By the end of the project, the finished result looked seamless — like the work had never disturbed the home at all.
Adding Modern Protection to an Older Home
Since portions of the home’s original wiring did not include grounding conductors, the homeowner chose to upgrade to AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers for additional protection.
These modern protective breakers help reduce risks associated with:
Electrical shock hazards
Arc faults that can contribute to electrical fires
Ground faults in sensitive areas of the home
For older homes, these devices can provide an additional layer of protection while helping homeowners improve safety without a complete rewire.
Meet the Elect Electric Team
Elect Electric is a family-oriented electrical contractor serving homeowners and businesses throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Maria, and the Central Coast.
Danny Ehinger — CFO/Senior Electrician
Danny Ehinger started Elect Electric in 2004 after years of experience in both commercial and residential electrical work. His background includes high-rise buildings, performing arts centers, sports lighting, commercial construction, and residential service work.
Today, Danny focuses on helping homeowners improve safety, functionality, and electrical reliability through panel upgrades, troubleshooting, EV charger installations, backup power systems, and modern electrical solutions.
What Danny enjoys most is helping customers understand their options and creating organized solutions that improve both safety and usability.
Outside of work, Danny enjoys spending time with his family, playing pickleball with his wife at Paso Robles Pickleball Club, playing disc golf at Heilmann Regional Park, body surfing in Avila Beach, and playing Fortnite with his children.
Kathy Ehinger — CEO
Kathy helps oversee the business operations of Elect Electric and plays a major role in keeping the company organized and client-focused. With a business background and experience in human resources, she helps ensure the company operates professionally while maintaining a healthy family-oriented culture.
Audrey — Office Manager
Audrey helps keep daily operations running smoothly through scheduling, communication, customer support, and office coordination. She is often one of the first people customers interact with and helps make the process organized and easy from the very beginning.
Natalie — Electrical Apprentice & Social Media Lead
Natalie is a third-year electrical apprentice who assists with field work while also helping manage Elect Electric’s social media and online presence. She enjoys both the technical side of electrical work and the creative side of connecting with the community online.
Elect Electric operates around three core values:
Responsible • Respectful • Responsive
The company believes good electrical service is about more than technical skill. It is also about communication, professionalism, organization, and helping customers feel informed and confident throughout the process.
Services Elect Electric Provides
Electrical panel upgrades and replacements
EV charger installations
Electrical troubleshooting and repairs
Backup power and battery systems
Tesla Powerwall installations
Lighting upgrades and installations
Surge protection
Smoke detector upgrades
Safety inspections and evaluations
Smart panel installations
Residential and light commercial electrical service
Complementary Project Planning Consultations
Not every project starts with an on-site service visit.
For homeowners who are still planning a project and want a realistic idea of cost and scope before scheduling an appointment, Elect Electric offers complementary Project Planning Consultations through the request form on the website.
Homeowners can submit project details and photos online, and the Elect Electric team will review the information and provide preliminary guidance and budget expectations based on the project scope.
If the project requires testing, troubleshooting, or a deeper evaluation, Elect Electric also provides professional on-site Service Visits.
Elect Electric also offers membership programs designed to help homeowners stay ahead of electrical issues and maintain safer homes.
Benefits include:
Ongoing service visit benefits
15% off standard repairs and installations
Annual electrical health review
Priority scheduling
Annual upgrade credit
The Senior Safety Membership includes additional safety-focused support for homeowners age 65 and older while helping simplify ongoing maintenance and future service needs.
What is a Great Referral for Elect Electric?
Some of the best referrals for Elect Electric include:
Homeowners with outdated electrical panels, including Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels
Homeowners who want to proactively maintain and improve their home’s electrical system to help protect their property, improve safety, and reduce the risk of future electrical hazards before problems develop.
Anyone purchasing an electric vehicle and needing home charging solutions
Homeowners planning remodels, additions, or electrification upgrades
Older homes needing electrical safety improvements or troubleshooting
Property owners wanting backup power systems or modern electrical upgrades
Vacation rental owners who need dependable scheduling and professional electrical service between guest stays
Serving the Central Coast
Elect Electric proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout San Luis Obispo County and surrounding Central Coast communities including Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, Cambria, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria.
If you are dealing with an outdated panel, planning an electrical upgrade, or simply want professional guidance on your home’s electrical system, Elect Electric would be happy to help.
Visit Elect Electric Website to schedule a free Project Planning Consultation or request a Service Visit.
Contact Elect Electric
Website
Phone
(805) 438-4357
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