Electrical News & Insights
News from TJF Electric
Electrical news, cost guides, and updates from your CT-licensed electrician.
Monday's Flash Flooding Hit Six Connecticut Towns. Here Is What To Check Before You Flip Your Panel Back On
Heavy rain and a cold front moving through Connecticut on August 3, 2026 flooded roads in Naugatuck, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Enfield, and Waterbury and knocked out power to thousands of homes ahead of an afternoon severe thunderstorm risk. If water reached your basement, there are specific electrical checks to make before assuming everything is fine.
A Portable Projector Just Got Recalled for the Same Reason So Many Other Gadgets Have This Year: The Battery Inside It
BenQ is recalling its GV31 portable projector after reports the built-in lithium-ion battery can overheat during charging. It is a small recall by the numbers, but it is the latest reminder that any rechargeable gadget in your house, not just phones and laptops, deserves a look at how and where it charges.
178,000 Heated Blankets Just Got Recalled Because the Cord Can Come Loose and Reignite. Here's the Plug Check Every Corded Appliance Deserves
OCTROT's Sherpa throws and blankets are being pulled from Amazon after more than 500 reports of melting, sparking, and smoking, including 27 fires. Unlike the lithium-battery recalls covered here recently, the failure starts at the plug connection itself, which is a habit worth checking on far more than one blanket.
1.5 Million Rechargeable Hand Warmers Just Got Recalled Over Fire Risk. Here Is How to Charge Any Lithium Battery Device Safely
Federal regulators say a popular rechargeable hand warmer can overheat and ignite, with 350 burn injuries and one death already reported. The product is seasonal, but the charging habits behind the recall apply to every lithium battery gadget in a Connecticut home.
Connecticut's New Building Code Was Supposed to Take Effect July 1. It Is Delayed, and It Will Not Actually Bring the 2026 Electrical Code
The state's next building, fire safety, and fire prevention codes missed their July 1 target and remain in legislative review. When they do take effect, Connecticut's electrical rules will point back to the 2023 NEC, not the 2026 edition, which matters if you have been planning a panel or wiring project around 'the new code.'
121,680 Retro Refrigerators Just Got Recalled Over Fire Risk. Here Is What Your Kitchen Circuit Should Look Like
Federal regulators say a popular retro-style refrigerator can short circuit internally and ignite, with 34 fires and one death already reported. The recall is about the appliance, but it is a good prompt to check the circuit it plugs into.
Generac's Latest Earnings Show Data Centers Are Now Competing With Your Home for Generator Capacity
Generac's second-quarter 2026 results show its commercial and data-center business growing far faster than home generators. Here is what that shift in manufacturing priority could mean for Connecticut homeowners planning a standby generator.
A New London Fire Was Traced to One Bad Outlet. Here Is What Every Homeowner Should Check
Fire investigators say a single overheating connection at a first-floor receptacle led to a fatal blaze, in a home with no working smoke alarms. Here is what Greater Hartford and Tolland County homeowners can learn from it.
Regulators Just Cut $500 Million From Eversource's Storm Bill. Here Is What It Means For Your Rate
Connecticut's utility regulator approved most of Eversource's five-year storm response costs but rejected hundreds of millions in interest charges. Here is how that decision differs from the rate hike case you have likely already heard about.
Lightning Struck a Rocky Hill Roof and Started a Fire. Here Is How Whole-Home Surge Protection Helps
A direct lightning strike ignited the roof of a Heather Hill home this week, with no injuries reported. Here is what a strike actually does to a home's electrical system, and how Connecticut homeowners can guard against it.
Your Truck Could Now Power Your House: What Ford's New Home Backup System Means for CT Homeowners
Ford and Global Power Products just rolled out an approved way to plug an F-150 Lightning or PowerBoost Hybrid into a home's electric meter for backup power during an outage. Here's what it actually does, what it costs, and where a licensed electrician fits in.
Flash Flood Watch Across Connecticut: What to Check on Your Panel, Sump Pump, and Outlets Before the Water Rises
A slow-moving storm system has put Hartford and Tolland counties, along with the rest of Connecticut, under a flood watch with two to three inches of rain expected. Flooding brings a different set of electrical risks than a wind outage, and it's worth knowing them before water starts moving.
Connecticut Regulators Propose Slashing Carbon Allowances Under RGGI Through 2037
DEEP wants to cut the pollution allowances power plants can buy each year by roughly 60 to 90 percent by 2037, a move that could reshape electricity costs and grid investment across Connecticut.
Data Centers Could Eat a Fifth of the Nation's Power by 2035. Here's What That Means for Your Connecticut Electric Bill
A new industry analysis out this week says U.S. data centers could consume roughly 20 percent of the country's electricity within a decade, up from about 6 percent today. Connecticut already pays some of the highest electric rates in the nation, and state officials are now openly asking who picks up the tab for all that new grid capacity.
Massachusetts Just Launched a Vehicle-to-Grid Pilot With Eversource. Connecticut Already Has One Too
Eversource and National Grid this week began testing a small vehicle-to-grid program in Massachusetts, letting a handful of EV owners sell stored battery power back to the utility. Connecticut homeowners may not realize the state already runs a similar program of its own, with a licensed electrician doing the install and real money on the table for the right EV.
New Tariffs on Copper and Aluminum Just Raised the Price of Your Next Electrical Project
A fresh round of tariff action out of Washington this week adds another layer of cost on top of steel, aluminum, and copper duties that were already running as high as 50 percent. For Connecticut homeowners planning a panel upgrade, generator install, or EV charger, the metals inside that equipment just got more expensive to import, and contractor quotes are starting to reflect it.
A New 80-Amp Commercial EV Charger Just Launched. Here's What Greater Hartford Businesses Should Know
Schneider Electric this week updated its Charge Pro commercial Level 2 charger with configurations up to 80 amps per port and support for both major connector standards. It's aimed at apartment buildings, workplaces, and fleets rather than a single-family driveway, and that higher output changes the electrical planning conversation for CT property owners considering one.
Federal Regulators Take a Rare Emergency Step Over a $20 Water Heater. Here's the GFCI Lesson for CT Homes
For the first time in roughly four decades, the federal product-safety regulator used its most aggressive legal tool to go after a bargain plug-in water heater sold widely online. The device itself isn't in every home, but the reason it caught fire so easily is a good reminder about which wet-area outlets in a Connecticut house are supposed to carry ground-fault protection, and which ones might not.
Connecticut Regulators Just Picked a Winner for Statewide 'Managed' EV Charging. Here's What It Means If You Charge at Home
State regulators have chosen one pilot, out of four tested, to scale into a statewide managed-charging system for public EV chargers, built around wallet credits for drivers who let their charging pause briefly during peak demand. The public program targets shared chargers, but the same off-peak logic already applies to home Level 2 chargers, and it's worth understanding both.
Connecticut's First Alert Weather Day Is Today. Here's Your 15-Minute Panel and Generator Check Before Tonight's Storms
Meteorologists are flagging strong to severe storms for late this afternoon into the evening, with damaging wind gusts as the top concern statewide. It is the second First Alert Weather Day this week alone. Before the sky darkens, here is what a homeowner can realistically check at the panel and the generator in about fifteen minutes.
Public EV Charging Reliability Now Scores in the Low-to-Mid 90s. Here's Why a Home Charger Still Makes Sense in Tolland County
A new industry report puts the national public fast-charging reliability in the low-to-mid 90s, and GM just folded ChargePoint into a single app that reaches most of the country's chargers. The public network is genuinely better than it was a few years ago. Here is what the improvement does, and does not, change for a Connecticut homeowner deciding whether to install a charger at home.
New Haven Just Switched On 1,900 Solar Panels on a Capped Landfill. What It Means If You're Weighing Solar at Home
The city flipped the switch on a new solar array built entirely atop a closed landfill this month, a project big enough to power roughly 200 homes for a year. It is a good example of where Connecticut's solar momentum is heading, and a useful jumping-off point for any homeowner comparing rooftop solar and battery storage options this year.
Hyundai and Kia Just Recalled 14 EVs Over Battery Fire Risk. Here's What It Actually Means If You Charge at Home
The recall itself is small, just 14 vehicles across three model lines, but the interim guidance from both automakers, park away from the house and cap charging at 80 percent, is a useful prompt for any Connecticut homeowner with a Level 2 charger installed. Here is what happened and what a properly wired home charging setup already protects against.
NEC 2026 Just Made Arc-Flash Labels Mandatory on Almost Every Commercial Panel. Here's What Connecticut Business Owners Should Know
The old rule only required an arc-flash warning label on the biggest service equipment; anything under 1,000 amps could skip it entirely. The 2026 National Electrical Code closes that gap, and the change reaches almost any commercial panel, switchboard, or control center a Connecticut electrician might open while it is energized.
CPSC Just Warned Against a Popular Heated Blanket. Here's the Bedroom Electrical Safety Check Worth Doing Anyway
About 700 Melinora electric heated blankets are the subject of a new federal warning after the manufacturer went silent rather than issuing an actual recall. There is no free replacement coming this time, which makes it a good prompt to look at what is actually plugged in around Tolland County bedrooms overnight.
Eversource Just Filed for an 18% Rate Hike. Here's What Tolland County Homeowners Should Actually Do With That News
Eversource's formal request to state regulators landed this week, and the number is bigger than the 11 percent figure floated back in the spring. Before you panic about next year's bill, here is what actually got filed, why the AG is pushing back, and the electrical upgrades that genuinely blunt the impact.
A High-End Chandelier Just Got Recalled for Missing Its Ground Wire. Here's the Bigger Lesson for Any Lighting Swap
Roughly 447 Nottaway chandeliers are being pulled from circulation this week over a grounding defect that federal regulators say creates a real electrocution risk. The specific fixture matters less than the habit behind it: a lot of homeowners hang a new light fixture themselves without ever checking whether the box, the wiring, and the fixture are actually grounded together.
Panasonic's Toaster Oven Recall Is a Reminder: Your Kitchen Outlets Carry More Risk Than the Appliance Does
About 11,500 FlashXpress toaster ovens are being recalled in the U.S. this week over a power cord defect, after several units reportedly tripped a circuit breaker. No injuries have been reported, but the incident is a useful nudge to look at how kitchen circuits, not just the appliance, handle everyday cooking loads.
EV Charging Just Entered "Charging 2.0": What It Means for Your Home Charging Costs in Connecticut
Public fast-charging networks are slowing their build-out and leaning into reliability instead of raw growth, while a fresh cost breakdown shows home charging still runs far cheaper than the road. Here is what that shift means for Tolland County and Greater Hartford drivers deciding whether to install a charger at home.
Rooftop Solar Helped New England's Grid Survive July's Heat Wave. Here's What That Means for Your Own Roof
During the late-June heat wave, distributed rooftop solar quietly covered a meaningful slice of New England's peak power demand. New reporting breaks down just how much, and it raises a practical question for Greater Hartford and Tolland County homeowners weighing solar or battery storage of their own.
Connecticut's New Solar Tax Law Targets Big Arrays, Not Rooftops: What It Actually Means for Homeowners
A new Connecticut law sets a flat, predictable property tax for large commercial solar farms starting this month. It has nothing to do with the panels on your own roof, but it's part of a busy year of state energy policy that's worth understanding before your next solar or battery project.
Over 550,000 Kobalt Yard Tools Recalled Over a USB-C Charging Fire Risk: What It Means for How You Charge Everything at Home
Federal regulators pulled more than half a million Kobalt-branded mowers, blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and pruning saws this week after batteries charged through their USB-C port started smoking and sparking. Here is what Greater Hartford homeowners should actually do about it.
NEC 2026 Tightens the Rules on Home Battery Storage: What Connecticut Homeowners Adding a Battery Backup System Need to Know
More Greater Hartford homeowners are pairing solar, or just adding standalone battery backup, to ride out storm outages. The 2026 electrical code is more specific than before about where that battery can live and what has to happen before it gets switched on.
Smart Panels and a New Safety Standard Could Save Connecticut Homeowners a Costly Service Upgrade
Adding a Level 2 EV charger or a heat pump often used to mean a call about upgrading your entire electrical service. A newly required safety listing for load-managing 'smart' panels is giving Greater Hartford homeowners another path.
Federal Regulators Flag Five Heated Insole Brands for Battery Fires: What It Means for Charging Habits in Your Connecticut Home
In the same week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission told shoppers to stop wearing five different heated insole brands after dozens of burn injuries tied to their lithium-ion cells. The footwear itself matters less than the charging habit behind it, and that habit is present in almost every bedroom and mudroom in Greater Hartford.
Public EV Fast-Charging Ports Jumped 27% This Year: Does That Change Whether You Need a Home Charger in Connecticut?
A new nationwide count released July 10, 2026 puts public DC fast-charging ports at over 74,000, up sharply from a year ago. It is genuinely good news for road trips. For the daily commute around Hartford and Tolland County, it changes less than the headline suggests.
Another Round of Smoke and CO Detector Warnings Hit Online Marketplaces: What to Check in Your Connecticut Home This Week
Federal regulators issued fresh warnings in July 2026 on marketplace smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that can fail to sound during an actual fire, with one seller refusing to even respond. Here is why cheap plug-in detectors keep failing and what a properly installed system looks like instead.
Lamppost EV Chargers Are Coming to Connecticut: What Homeowners Should Know Before Relying on Public Charging
A new partnership will retrofit 50 Connecticut streetlights into public EV chargers by late 2026. Here is what that means if you are weighing a home charger against curbside charging.
Another Power Bank Recall Hits Connecticut Homes: What the Flaunt MagSafe Fire Risk Teaches About Charging Safety
A newly recalled MagSafe power bank joins a growing list of lithium battery fire recalls this year. Here is how to charge devices safely at home and when the risk points to your outlets, not just your gadgets.
Connecticut's Next Code Update Missed Its July 1 Deadline. Here Is What Code Actually Applies to Your Home Right Now.
The state's building, fire, and electrical code update was due to take effect July 1 but is on hold pending legislative review. Homeowners planning summer projects should know what still governs their permit.
Connecticut's Third Heat Wave of 2026 Is Forecast This Week. Here Is How to Get Paid to Prepare Your Home's Electrical System.
First Alert Weather Days are back with heat index values near 100 degrees. Beyond checking your panel, Eversource's demand response programs will actually pay you to help your home ride out the strain.
Connecticut HB 5340 and Plug-In Solar Panels: What Greater Hartford Homeowners Need to Know Before the Legislature Acts
House Bill 5340 would let Connecticut homeowners add up to 1,200 watts of plug-in solar without utility approval, but electrical code questions remain that every homeowner should understand first.
Connecticut Electricity Rates Are Down in 2026: How Homeowners Can Make the Most of Lower Bills While Upgrading to Safer Panels
Governor Lamont announced lower Connecticut electricity rates in April 2026 thanks to nuclear energy contracts, and NEC 2026 sets new panel safety standards: here is how to use both to your advantage.
Summer Electrical Safety for Connecticut Homeowners: How to Avoid Overloads Before the Heat Hits Hard
Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators working overtime, and outdoor appliances can push older Connecticut electrical panels past their safe limits. Here is what homeowners should check this summer.
NEC 2026 EV Charger Requirements: What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know About GFCI and Circuit Sizing
The 2026 National Electrical Code tightened GFCI requirements and established the 125% continuous load rule for EV charger circuits. Here is what those changes mean for Connecticut homeowners planning an installation.
Connecticut's July 4th Storm Left 82,000 Without Power. Here's What Homeowners With Generators Learned.
Severe thunderstorms swept Connecticut on July 4, 2026, knocking out power to more than 82,000 customers at peak and leaving 57,000 homes without electricity through Sunday. The outage revealed hard lessons about generator readiness that every Connecticut homeowner should act on now.
NEC 2026 Expands AFCI Protection to All Branch Circuits: What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know
The 2026 National Electrical Code requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection on virtually all 120-volt branch circuits in homes, completing a decades-long expansion. With Connecticut reviewing NEC 2026 adoption, homeowners and buyers should understand what the change means for their property.
Connecticut Summer Air Conditioning and Your Electrical Panel: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Connecticut's summer heat loads push residential electrical panels harder than any other season. As homes add central AC, mini-splits, and EV chargers, older panels struggle. Here is what to watch for and when to call a licensed electrician before a problem becomes an emergency.
NEC 2026 Requires Surge Protection on Standby Generator Systems, What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know
The 2026 National Electrical Code adds a new requirement for Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective devices on legally required standby system equipment. With Connecticut storm season in full swing, here is what that means for generator owners and those considering backup power.
Summer Pool and Outdoor Electrical Safety in Connecticut: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Swimming pools, outdoor outlets, and exterior lighting create unique electrical safety requirements under Connecticut's adopted code. With summer in full swing, here is what Tolland County homeowners should understand about pool bonding, GFCI protection, and outdoor wiring.
Connecticut's 3.25-Cent Non-Bypassable Charge for New Solar: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Installing
Connecticut regulators added a 3.25-cent-per-kilowatt-hour non-bypassable charge for solar systems interconnected on or after January 1, 2026. It applies even to electricity you generate yourself, and it changes the payback math on solar in Connecticut.
Connecticut Electricity Rates in July 2026: What Eversource Customers Should Know
Eversource's standard supply rate is 11.57 cents per kilowatt-hour in July 2026. The supply rate is only part of your bill - Connecticut's total average electricity cost of 32.24 cents per kilowatt-hour is 54 percent above the national average, and understanding what drives the difference matters for managing costs.
After the July 4th Storm: What Connecticut Homeowners Should Check Before Calling Power Restored
The Independence Day 2026 thunderstorms knocked out power to more than 120,000 Connecticut customers and kept Eversource crews working for nearly 72 hours. Now that power is back for most households, there are specific electrical checks homeowners should make before assuming everything is fine.
NEC 2026 Now Requires a Licensed Electrician for Permanent EV Charger Installation - What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know
NEC 2026 Section 625.4 now requires that permanently installed EV charging equipment be handled by a qualified person - a standard that state licensing boards routinely read as requiring a licensed electrician. DIY EV charger installs are increasingly a code violation. Here is what changed and why it matters.
Connecticut's 2026 Electrical Code Update: New GFCI Rules for Outdoor HVAC Units and the September 1 Compliance Deadline
Connecticut is in the process of adopting the 2023 National Electrical Code as part of its updated 2026 state building codes. One of the most practically significant changes for Connecticut homeowners and electricians: Section 210.8(F) now requires GFCI protection for outdoor HVAC disconnect panels up to 60 amperes. A transitional path using Class C Special-Purpose GFCI devices expires September 1, 2026. Here is what Connecticut homeowners and property managers need to know before that deadline.
Connecticut HB 5340 Is Now Law: What the 2026 Solar and Battery Storage Act Means for Homeowners and Electricians
Governor Lamont signed HB 5340 -- Connecticut's omnibus solar bill -- as Public Act 26-127, enacted May 20, 2026. The law creates a statewide automated permitting platform for residential solar systems up to 25 kW, legalizes plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200 watts without utility approval, and extends net metering incentive programs through at least 2035. For Connecticut homeowners considering solar installations, the permitting landscape is about to get significantly simpler.
The Federal EV Charger Tax Credit Expired June 30: What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know About Remaining Incentives and Permit Requirements
The federal 30C tax credit for residential and commercial EV charger installations -- 30 percent of equipment and installation costs -- expired June 30, 2026. For Connecticut homeowners who missed the deadline, the credit is gone for now. But Eversource rebates (now income-restricted), a new nine-year statewide EV charging infrastructure program, and Connecticut's ongoing EV charger installation requirements are still in effect. Here is what changes and what does not.
Connecticut's Whole-Home Generator Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know Before They Buy or Install
Interest in whole-home standby generators has risen sharply in Connecticut as summer grid reliability has become a recurring concern. But generator installation involves more than buying a unit and plugging it in. Connecticut requires three separate permits, NFPA clearance rules govern exactly where the generator can sit, a transfer switch is mandatory to prevent backfeed, and sizing errors are expensive to correct after installation. Here is what every Connecticut homeowner needs to understand before committing to a generator purchase.
The Federal Credit Is Gone and Eversource Rebates Are Now Income-Restricted. What CT Homeowners Should Do Next About EV Charger Installation.
Two major EV charger incentive changes hit Connecticut homeowners in 2026. The federal 30C tax credit for EV charger equipment expired June 30, 2026. And Eversource's EV charger rebate program shifted to income-restricted eligibility under new Connecticut legislation effective January 1, 2026. If you were planning to install a Level 2 home charger and waiting for the right moment, here is the current landscape and what still makes sense to do.
Connecticut July 4 Eve Storm: 25,000+ Customers Lost Power -- What Homeowners Should Do Right Now
A severe summer storm hit Connecticut on the eve of the Fourth of July, knocking out power for more than 25,000 Eversource customers and closing more than a dozen roads across the state. If your home lost power, here is what to do in the immediate aftermath -- and how to prepare for the rest of summer storm season so this does not happen again.
The Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit Expired June 30 -- What Connecticut Homeowners Can Do Now
The 30% federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit ended June 30, 2026, capping at $1,000 for residential installations. But Connecticut homeowners still have meaningful options through state programs, Eversource rebates, and CHEAPR incentives. Here is what to know going into July.
NEC 2026 Is Coming to Connecticut: What Every Homeowner Should Know Before the Code Changes
Connecticut is in the process of adopting the 2026 National Electrical Code, which introduces significant new requirements for home electrical systems - from AFCI protection on every circuit to mandatory EV-ready wiring in new construction. Here is what homeowners need to understand before starting any electrical project.
NEC 2026 GFCI and Kitchen Outlet Changes: What Connecticut Homeowners Need to Know
The 2026 National Electrical Code expands GFCI protection requirements and changes where kitchen outlets can be installed. Connecticut is in the process of adopting the new code, and homeowners planning renovations or electrical work should understand what is changing and why it matters.
NEC 2026 Requires Outdoor Emergency Disconnects: A Guide for Connecticut Homeowners
The 2026 National Electrical Code requires new single-family and two-family homes to have a service disconnect accessible from outside the building. For Connecticut homeowners and anyone planning a service upgrade, here is what the new requirement means and why it exists.
May 2026 CT Wind Storms Left Thousands Without Power - Is Your Home Ready for the Next One?
A late May 2026 windstorm knocked out power for more than 4,500 Connecticut homes. Eversource reported over 900 active outage events in June alone. Here is what the storms are telling homeowners about standby generator preparedness.
Thinking About a Heat Pump in Connecticut? Here Is What Your Electrical System Needs
Connecticut's Energize CT rebate program is actively incentivizing heat pump installations through 2026, but not every home is electrically ready for one. Here is what homeowners need to know about panel capacity, dedicated circuits, and when to call a licensed electrician first.
Connecticut's Restructured Energy Storage Solutions Program: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Connecticut DEEP restructured the Energy Storage Solutions program effective April 1, 2026, creating two distinct incentive tracks for residential battery storage. The standard enrollment track pays $30 per kilowatt-hour of installed storage capacity as a one-time incentive. A separate performance-based track offers $300 to $550 per kilowatt of demand-reduction capacity per year, paid over a multi-year performance period. The new structure rewards active grid participation, not just installation. Here is how each track works and what it means for Greater Hartford and Tolland County homeowners considering a battery installation.
Connecticut HB 5340 Extends the Solar Program Through 2035 and Exempts Battery Storage From Future Caps
Connecticut House Bill 5340, enacted in 2026, extends the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program through 2035 and exempts battery storage systems from the capacity caps that would have limited residential solar programs beginning in 2028. The extension provides a longer planning horizon for Greater Hartford and Tolland County homeowners considering solar panel or solar-plus-battery installations. Here is what HB 5340 changes, what it means for homeowners who are evaluating a solar investment, and how it interacts with the rest of Connecticut's renewable energy incentive landscape.
The Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit Expires June 30, 2026: What Connecticut Homeowners Still Need to Verify
The federal Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which covers 30 percent of EV charger installation costs up to $1,000 for residential installations, expires on June 30, 2026. If you have a Level 2 charger installation scheduled or recently completed in Connecticut, here is how to verify that your installation will qualify before the deadline closes, what you need for your tax filing, and what comes next for CT homeowners who missed the window.
Connecticut's Eversource EV Charger Rebates Are Now Income-Restricted: What Changed and What Homeowners Can Do
As of January 1, 2026, Connecticut's Eversource residential EV charger rebates are restricted to households that meet specific income eligibility criteria. A Connecticut law signed in July 2025 imposed funding limitations on the state's EV programs, dramatically reducing the scale of rebates available and adding income restrictions. Here is what changed, how to check whether you still qualify, and what other options exist for Greater Hartford and Tolland County homeowners planning an EV charger installation.
NEC 2026 EV Charger Rules: What Connecticut Homeowners Must Know Before Installing a Level 2 Charger
The 2026 National Electrical Code introduces mandatory professional installation for hardwired EV chargers, stricter 5-milliamp ground-fault protection, and new energy management system requirements. Here is what the code changes mean for Connecticut homeowners planning a Level 2 charger installation and how to avoid expensive mistakes.
Connecticut Home Generator Guide 2026: Costs, Eversource Rate Hikes, and What the Code Requires
A February 2026 Nor'easter knocked out power to hundreds of Connecticut homes across multiple counties, Eversource raised electric rates between 13 and 29 percent year over year in January 2026, and generator demand has surged. Here is what Tolland County homeowners should know about costs, permits, sizing, and what CT code actually requires.
Electrical Panel Safety in Connecticut: When You Actually Need an Upgrade and What the 2026 Code Requires
Not every Connecticut home needs a panel upgrade, but some do, and the surge in EV charger and heat pump installations is putting older panels under real strain. Here is how to tell the difference, what the current Connecticut NEC standard requires, and what to expect from a licensed electrician's assessment.
Welcome to TJF Electric News
TJF Electric is launching a news and insights section covering Connecticut electrical work, cost guides, code updates, and home safety tips from our CT-licensed master electricians.