Regan Electric has been handling residential and commercial electrical work in Portsmouth and the surrounding Rockingham County communities since 1949. That is 77 years of showing up, doing the work right, and standing behind it. We handle everything from a dead outlet in a Cape Cod to a full service upgrade in a downtown commercial building. Same-day appointments are available, and we respond to emergency calls when something goes wrong after hours or on a weekend. We're proud to be the local electricians this community calls first.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why a fast, accurate diagnosis matters. When you call us for an electrical problem, we start by finding the root cause, not just the symptom. Dead outlets, flickering lights, a breaker that keeps tripping, burning smells near a panel or outlet, sparking receptacles, no power in a room, or a half-the-house outage that leaves you guessing. We've seen all of it, and we know how to trace it.
Our experienced electricians who respect your home will work through the problem methodically, explain what they find, and fix it properly. We don't patch around a hazard and move on. If a circuit is undersized, a connection is corroded, or a wiring run is deteriorating, we'll tell you what needs to happen and give you a clear estimate before we start.
We'll sort the wiring and clean up after.
From older homes to new commercial builds, the demand for properly wired outlets and switches keeps growing. We install and replace standard outlets, GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations, AFCI outlets, USB outlets, dimmer switches, smart switches, and smart outlets. If your home has ungrounded two-prong outlets, we can upgrade those too.
Dedicated circuits are often the missing piece when a large appliance keeps tripping a breaker. We run dedicated circuits for dryers, electric ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and hot water heaters. We also install 240-volt outlets for workshop equipment and other high-draw appliances. The wiring done right the first time means you won't be calling us back for the same problem next month.
We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
A 100-amp panel that made sense in 1965 does not make sense in a home running modern appliances, electric vehicle chargers, and multiple high-draw circuits at once. We handle panel replacements and service upgrades from 100-amp to 200-amp service, fuse box to breaker panel conversions, subpanel installation, and service-entrance upgrades. Every panel job includes a load calculation so we know the new service size is matched to what your home or building actually needs.
We take care of code-compliant wiring, grounding, and bonding as part of every panel project. If your panel needs to carry the electrical supply for new equipment or a major appliance, we'll size the service correctly and run the dedicated circuit to match. We're a local electrician homeowners rely on to get this work permitted and inspected without the back-and-forth.
We'll take care of the circuits from here.
A properly wired home is a safer home, and good lighting is a big part of that. We install recessed lighting, LED fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, and bathroom exhaust fan wiring. Ceiling fan installation and wiring is one of our most common service calls, whether it's a straightforward swap or adding a fan where there was no ceiling box before.
Outside, we handle security lighting, landscape lighting, and any exterior fixture work your property needs. Smart switches and dimmers can be tied into most lighting systems we install, giving you better control without a full smart-home overhaul. If you're adding a whole-house fan or attic fan, we'll wire it correctly and make sure the circuit is sized for the load.
We make the fix and leave it tidy.
Portsmouth sits on the New Hampshire seacoast with winters that bring sub-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and coastal wind events that can knock power out for days. The region's housing stock includes a significant number of older and historic homes that were built long before modern electrical loads were imagined. These two facts together drive a specific set of electrical needs that come up again and again for Portsmouth and Rockingham County homeowners.
When a nor'easter or ice storm takes down the grid, a whole-home standby generator is the difference between a manageable situation and a serious one. We handle generator hookup, transfer switch installation, standby generator wiring, and the dedicated circuits that connect a generator to your home's electrical system. The transfer switch is the critical piece: it safely isolates your home from the utility line so the generator can power your circuits without risk. We size the system to your load, pull the permit, and wire it to code.
Older Portsmouth homes, especially those in the historic districts and the surrounding neighborhoods, frequently have electrical systems that haven't kept up with modern demand. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, and undersized fuse boxes are still common in homes of a certain age. These systems aren't just undersized. They can be genuine safety concerns. We handle whole-home rewiring, old wiring replacement, and panel upgrades for historic and older homes throughout the area. Work is performed by licensed electricians who understand the specific challenges of updating an older structure without damaging its character.
Ice dams on rooflines and frozen pipes in unheated spaces are routine winter risks in this part of New Hampshire. Roof de-icing cables and pipe heat tape are effective solutions, but they need to be wired correctly to work safely. We install the dedicated circuit that powers heat tape systems and make sure the circuit includes proper GFCI protection as required. A heat tape circuit that isn't on its own dedicated run, or that lacks ground-fault protection, is a problem waiting to happen. We set it up right from the start.
Scheduling a service call is simple, and so is the case for a Level 2 home EV charger. A standard 120-volt outlet charges an electric vehicle slowly. A dedicated 240-volt Level 2 charger circuit gives you a full charge overnight. We install the circuit, the outlet or hardwired charger, and handle the permit work so the installation is on record.
Whole-home surge protection is something we recommend alongside any panel upgrade or new service installation. A single lightning strike or utility surge can damage every connected device in the house at once. A whole-home surge protector installed at the panel catches those events before they reach your appliances and electronics. If you've had a lightning strike near your property or a utility event that left equipment acting strangely, call us. Prompt response, even for last-minute electrical calls, is something we take seriously. We also handle the electrical supply side of solar panel connections and home battery storage systems.
Renovation work almost always uncovers electrical surprises, and we're used to working alongside other trades to keep a project moving. We handle kitchen and bathroom electrical work, basement wiring, garage wiring, workshop and shed circuits, new construction wiring, and additions. If a remodel requires a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspection.
On the commercial side, we work with retail buildouts, restaurants, medical offices, warehouses, and multi-family buildings throughout Portsmouth and Rockingham County. Tenant improvement work, code violation repair, and failed inspection follow-up are all part of what we do. If a previous inspection flagged something that needs correction before a sale or occupancy, we can get it addressed and re-inspected.
Home electrical inspections give homeowners, landlords, and property managers a clear picture of what's working and what isn't. We perform safety inspections, pre-purchase inspections for buyers and sellers, and inspections requested by insurance carriers. Arc-fault and ground-fault breaker checks are part of every safety inspection we run.
For landlords and property managers with multiple units, a periodic inspection schedule catches problems before they become tenant complaints or liability issues. If you're preparing a property for sale and the buyer's inspector flagged electrical concerns, we can review the report and give you an honest assessment of what needs to be done.
Scheduling a service call is simple. Call us, describe what you're dealing with, and we'll give you a clear estimate before any work begins. We don't quote one number and charge another. Same-day appointments are available for most service calls, and we offer weekend and after-hours response for situations that can't wait.
Good workmanship. Good pricing. Good electricians.
Whether it's a quick outlet swap or a full panel replacement, we want you to know what the job costs and what it involves before we start. Call for a quote and we'll get it on the schedule.
We serve Portsmouth as our home base and work throughout Rockingham County, including Hampton, Exeter, Newmarket, Stratham, Newington, and Greenland. If you're in the seacoast area and need an electrician, we're close by and ready to help.
Breakers that trip repeatedly under normal load, a panel that feels warm to the touch, breakers that will not reset, flickering lights throughout the house, and a burning smell near the panel are all signs worth taking seriously. An older fuse box that has never been updated is also worth a professional look, especially if you have added appliances or circuits since it was installed.
A breaker trips when a circuit draws more current than it is rated to handle. That can mean the circuit is overloaded, a connected appliance is drawing too much power, or there is a wiring fault somewhere on the circuit. If a breaker trips repeatedly under normal use, or if it trips immediately after being reset, that points to something that needs a proper diagnosis rather than just resetting the breaker again.
Flickering lights can result from a loose connection at the fixture, a failing switch, a circuit that is overloaded, or a problem at the panel. Dimming that happens when a large appliance kicks on often points to a circuit that is undersized or a panel that is running close to capacity. We trace the cause rather than treating the symptom.
We start by walking through the affected area with you, then test circuits, check connections, and work through the system methodically to identify the root cause. We use proper troubleshooting and diagnostics rather than guessing, and we explain what we find before recommending a fix.
We test every circuit, outlet, and fixture we work on before we consider the job complete. That includes verifying that GFCI and AFCI protection is functioning correctly where required, confirming that breakers are seated and labeled properly, and checking that any new wiring is carrying the load as expected.
We start with a site visit to assess your current system, take load measurements, and determine what the new service needs to handle. From there we provide a clear estimate, pull the required permit, schedule the work, and coordinate the utility connection and inspection. Larger projects may take more than one visit depending on scope.
An undersized or deteriorating panel limits how much load your home can safely carry and can cause nuisance trips, voltage fluctuations, and in some cases real safety hazards. It also affects your ability to add circuits for new appliances, an EV charger, or other modern loads. A panel that is not keeping up with your home's demand is worth addressing before it causes a larger problem.
Knob-and-tube wiring was not designed for modern electrical loads and lacks a ground conductor, which limits its compatibility with today's devices and protection requirements. Aluminum branch circuit wiring can develop loose connections at outlets and switches over time, creating a fire hazard. Both systems can also create problems with homeowner's insurance. We assess what is present and explain the options for remediation or replacement.
A full rewire makes sense when the existing wiring is a safety concern throughout the home, such as with widespread knob-and-tube or deteriorated insulation. A partial rewire is appropriate when the problem is limited to specific areas, such as a kitchen remodel, an addition, or a section of the home where the wiring is outdated but the rest of the system is serviceable. We assess what is actually needed and do not recommend more than the situation calls for.
A transfer switch isolates your home's electrical system from the utility line before the generator supplies power. Without one, a generator connected directly to your panel can back-feed power onto the utility line, which is a serious hazard for utility workers and is not code-compliant. We install the transfer switch as part of every generator hookup so the system operates safely and passes inspection.
Call us at (603) 556-8248 and we will be straightforward with you about the cost before we send anyone out. Emergency and after-hours service may carry a different rate than a standard daytime call, and we will tell you what to expect before the visit so there are no surprises.
Regan Electric has been the electrician Portsmouth and Rockingham County residents and businesses have counted on since 1949. Schedule it. We wire it. You're powered.
Call (603) 556-8248 for a quote or to schedule a service call. We're ready when you are.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial electrical work in Portsmouth and across Rockingham County. From a single dead outlet to a whole-home rewiring or panel upgrade, our licensed electricians diagnose the problem, do the work to code, and leave the space clean. The table below covers every service we offer so you can find what you need and give us a call.
| Service Type | What It Covers | Common Situations | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | 240-volt outlet installationdryer and range circuitsrefrigerator and dishwasher circuits | anyone adding a major appliance or moving one to a new location | Sharing a circuit for a high-draw appliance causes nuisance trips and can create a hazard over time. |
| Well-Pump Circuits | dedicated pump circuit installation240-volt well circuit wiringpanel capacity check | properties on private wells that need a new or upgraded circuit for the pump | Well pumps draw significant startup current. We size the circuit and breaker correctly for the pump's load. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacementfuse box assessmentrepeated trip diagnosis | homes where a breaker keeps tripping or a fuse box has never been updated | A breaker that trips repeatedly often signals an overloaded or faulted circuit, not just a weak breaker. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | whole-panel surge device installationgrounding and bonding checkprotection for appliances and electronics | any home with sensitive electronics, smart appliances, or equipment worth protecting from utility voltage spikes | Surge protection installed at the panel guards every circuit in the home, not just the outlets with plug-in strips. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed lightingpendant and chandelier fixturesoutdoor and security lightingunder-cabinet lighting | homeowners upgrading interior lighting or adding exterior security and landscape lights | Outdoor fixtures in coastal climates need proper weatherproofing. We select and install fixtures rated for the exposure. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | panel and wiring assessmentoutlet and grounding checkGFCI and AFCI verificationsmoke and CO detector review | buyers of older homes, landlords, and anyone who has not had their system assessed in years | We report what we find without padding the list. If something needs attention, we tell you what it is and what it will take to fix it. |
| Backup Generator Installation | transfer switch installationdedicated generator circuitstandby and portable hookups | Portsmouth homeowners who want power during nor'easters and winter outages | A transfer switch is required by code and keeps the generator from back-feeding the utility line. We install every system to that standard. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI and AFCI outletsUSB outletsweatherproof exterior outletsswitch replacement | kitchens, bathrooms, garages, decks, and any room needing updated or added receptacles | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor locations. We install to current standards. |
| Heat Tape Installation | dedicated circuit for heat tapecorrect outlet or connection pointpanel load assessment | homes with exposed pipes, roof edges, or exterior surfaces prone to ice damage in New Hampshire winters | Heat tape draws a steady load. We confirm your panel can handle it before we wire the circuit. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and fixture replacementnew wiring runsbox and brace installation | any room where no existing fan box is in place or an old fan needs replacing | Installing a fan where no wiring exists requires a new circuit run. We handle that as part of the same visit when possible. |
| Wiring & Rewiring | whole-home rewiringknob-and-tube remediationaluminum wiring correctionrenovation wiring | older Portsmouth homes with outdated wiring or homeowners adding square footage | Portsmouth has a lot of pre-1960 housing stock. Knob-and-tube and aluminum branch wiring are common and worth a professional assessment. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp service upgradessubpanel installationload calculationsservice-entrance work | homes running out of capacity for modern appliances, EV chargers, or heating loads | A 100-amp panel is often undersized for today's demands. A 200-amp upgrade gives you room to add circuits without overloading the system. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | flickering lightsdead outletstripping breakerswiring diagnostics | any home or business with an electrical problem that needs a fast, accurate fix | We diagnose the root cause, not just the symptom, so the same problem does not come back. |
How do I know if my home needs a panel or service upgrade?
Common signs include breakers that trip regularly under normal use, a panel that feels warm or makes buzzing sounds, a 100-amp service with a full house of modern appliances, or no room to add circuits for an EV charger or new appliance. We perform a load calculation during the estimate visit so you get a clear answer before any work begins.
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly?
Repeated tripping usually points to one of three things: a circuit that is carrying more load than it was sized for, a failing breaker that no longer holds its rated current, or a fault in the wiring or a connected device. We trace the cause before recommending a fix, because replacing a breaker without finding the underlying issue often just delays the problem.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected?
Work that requires a permit under the New Hampshire electrical code is pulled and inspected. Our electricians work to current code requirements on every job, including GFCI and AFCI protection where required. If you have questions about whether a specific job needs a permit, ask us when you call and we will walk you through it.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
We offer same-day scheduling for repairs and urgent electrical work, and we take calls for after-hours and weekend service when the situation calls for it. Prompt response, even for last-minute electrical calls, is something we take seriously.
Is the wiring in my older Portsmouth home safe?
It depends on what is there and what condition it is in. Homes built before the 1970s may have knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, or panels that were never updated. These are not automatic emergencies, but they do warrant a professional look. We assess what is present, explain the risks honestly, and tell you what needs attention versus what can wait.
What does a home EV charger installation involve?
A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, typically a 50-amp run from your panel to the garage or driveway location. We assess your panel capacity first. If the panel is already near its limit, we discuss an upgrade as part of the same project. We handle the circuit, the outlet or hardwired connection, and any panel work needed to support the added load.
How does backup generator hookup work, and what do I need?
A proper generator installation includes a transfer switch, which is the device that safely connects the generator to your home's circuits and prevents back-feeding the utility line. We size the transfer switch and wiring to match your generator and the circuits you want protected. Whether you are installing a standby unit that starts automatically or a hookup for a portable generator, we handle the full electrical scope.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Portsmouth's housing stock spans more than a century, and we work in all of it. Whether the home has knob-and-tube wiring or a modern panel with room to grow, our electricians know what they are looking at and how to bring the work up to current standards.
Do I need to be home when the electrician arrives?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the affected circuits, and the work areas, and we will walk through what we find with you before starting. If your situation makes that difficult, call us and we will talk through what is workable for your specific job.
How do estimates and pricing work?
Call us and describe the job. We will talk through what is involved and give you a clear estimate before any work begins. Scope and materials drive the cost more than square footage alone. If we open a wall or a panel and find something unexpected, we tell you what it is and what it will cost to address before we proceed.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Every job our electricians perform follows current New Hampshire electrical code requirements, including GFCI and AFCI protection where required and proper permitting for work that demands it. We do not cut corners on code, because the inspection is there to protect you.
What do flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flicker when a large appliance kicks on is often a normal load response, but persistent flickering, dimming across multiple rooms, or lights that flicker without any obvious cause can point to a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a problem at the panel. These are worth having looked at rather than ignored, because loose connections in particular can become a fire risk over time.
Should I be concerned about warm or buzzing outlets?
Yes. A warm outlet or one that buzzes or crackles is not normal. It can indicate a loose or deteriorated connection, a circuit that is overloaded, or wiring that needs attention. Do not continue using an outlet that feels warm to the touch or makes noise. Call us and we will get someone out to take a look.
What is whole-home surge protection, and is it worth it?
A whole-home surge protector installs at the main panel and guards every circuit in the house against voltage spikes that come through the utility line. Spikes from grid switching and nearby lightning strikes can damage appliances, electronics, and even wiring over time. For a home with smart appliances, a home office, or any equipment worth protecting, it is a practical investment. We include proper grounding and bonding checks as part of every surge protection installation.
Every electrical job is different, and the best way to get an accurate answer for yours is to call us directly. We will talk through what you need, explain what the work involves, and give you a clear estimate before anything starts.
(603) 556-8248