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Neighbours First: The Real Impact of Choosing Local

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:21:42 GMT

April 1, 2026

From farmers markets and family-owned restaurants to youth hockey teams and neighbourhood shops, local businesses are what give a community its character. They’re the familiar faces you see every day, the ones who know your name and care about the place you call home. Choosing local isn’t just about convenience; it’s about investing in the people who keep a community strong.

For Breakwater Electric, being local isn’t a slogan, it's simply how the company operates.

Breakwater Electric is locally owned and operated right here in Oceanside. The team lives here, works here, and raises their families here. The same streets they drive for service calls are the ones they walk with their kids after dinner. The businesses and homes they work in during the week are the same places they visit on weekends. When your customers are also your neighbours, there’s a natural sense of pride and accountability in every job.

Why supporting local matters

Hiring a local company keeps dollars circulating within the community. Those dollars support other small businesses, local suppliers, youth sports, and community events. It’s a simple choice that has a lasting impact.

Breakwater Electric sees those connections every day. One day the team might be upgrading lighting in the back of a restaurant, and the next they’re walking through the front door as customers. In neighbourhoods across Oceanside, they’re installing new panels, adding kitchen lighting, or helping a family get the power back on after a storm then running into those same homeowners at the grocery store or at the arena during a hockey game.

Over time, customers become familiar faces. Many turn into long-term clients and friends. That kind of relationship builds trust, and trust matters when someone is working in your home or business. When your reputation follows you around town, you show up on time, communicate clearly, and stand behind your work.

Growing local talent

Supporting local also means investing in people. Through its apprenticeship program, Breakwater Electric brings in local talent and provides a clear path to a skilled, rewarding career. Young tradespeople can stay in the community they grew up in while learning a trade that will serve them for life.

Watching apprentices develop into confident, licensed electricians and knowing they’ll be serving the same neighbourhoods they call home is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Community first

At the end of the day, choosing a local electrical company isn’t just about who installs a fixture or upgrades a panel. It’s about working with people who genuinely care about the homes and businesses around them.

Breakwater Electric is proud to be part of Oceanside not just as electricians, but as neighbours. And that’s the real value of supporting local.

Light Up Every Season with Permanent Holiday Lighting

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:19:36 GMT

Dec 1, 2025

For many homeowners, decorating for the holidays is a mix of excitement and exhaustion. The joy of twinkling lights often comes after hours of climbing ladders, untangling wires, and discovering half a string that mysteriously stopped working. Then, just a few weeks later, it all has to come down again. Permanent holiday lighting changes that story. Instead of a once-a-year headache, it offers a year-round lighting solution that’s simple, smart, and built to last.

Set It and Forget It

Once installed, permanent lighting means no more hauling boxes from storage or balancing on ladders in the cold. With systems like Gemstone Lights , you can manage everything from an easy-to-use mobile app. Choose your colors, adjust the brightness, and design patterns that fit any occasion — all from your phone. Whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, or a birthday celebration, your home is ready to shine in seconds.

Built to Handle the Elements

These lights aren’t just about convenience — they’re made for longevity. Designed to withstand harsh weather and temperature swings, Gemstone Lights use high-efficiency LEDs that offer both durability and energy savings. Once they’re in place, you can trust them to perform season after season without worrying about replacements or maintenance.

Customize Your Glow

Permanent holiday lights go far beyond red and green. With millions of color options and dynamic animation presets, you can personalize your home’s lighting for any moment. Show off your team colors on game day, create a soft romantic glow for a dinner at home, or light up summer evenings with subtle warm tones. The options are virtually endless.

Beauty That Blends In

When the lights aren’t in use, they disappear into your home’s design. The low-profile, professional installation ensures they look clean and unobtrusive during the day — but at night, they can completely transform the look of your home. It’s the perfect balance of style and technology.

Safety and Peace of Mind

No holiday décor is worth risking your safety. If you’re not confident on a ladder or unsure about your equipment, don’t hesitate to bring in a professional installer. With the right tools and experience, we’ll make sure your lighting system is installed safely, efficiently, and beautifully.

Tips to maintaining your homes electrical system

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:06:12 GMT

August 1, 2025

To keep your house in tip top shape there is some maintenance to be done from time to time. The electrical system in your house is no different. Many things can be checked by the homeowner but be sure to contact a qualified electrician if devices need to be changed or things are not working as they should. By checking the following items on a regular basis, it will keep safety devices in top working order and give you peace of mind they are in proper working condition.

Smoke Detectors

They should be activated once a month by pushing the test button. A smoke detector needs to be replaced every 10 years. If a smoke detector has batteries make sure to change them at least once a year. Maintaining your smoke detector will lessen nuisance alarms.

Extension Cords and Power Bars

Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more outlets to reduce cords running everywhere.

Ground Fault Receptacles

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is the plug in your bathroom or outside with the buttons on it. These receptacles are designed to trip when water is present. What if my bathroom doesn’t have one of these? GFCI’s are designed so they can protect more than one receptacle. Depending on how a house is wired, one GFCI may protect many bathrooms. Monthly testing ensures the device is in working order.

Baseboard Heaters

The more air flows around a baseboard heater, the better they will work. If a couch or chair is pushed up against it, the heat will have nowhere to go, therefore taking longer to heat the room. At the start of the heating season it is good practice to vacuum out your baseboard heaters and make sure they are turning on and off with the thermostat.

Electrical Panels

How well labeled is your panel? Your electrical panel is the main switchboard to the whole house. By having a well labeled directory, it makes the house safer by knowing exactly which switch will turn off every device.

How a Qualified Electrician Can Help

There will come a point where the maintenance will require an electrician. From changing devices to labeling the panel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! This is our passion and daily routine. For example: An electrician will further explain why houses are wired a certain way or why there is a GFCI in this room and not that one.

Feel free to call the team at Breakwater Electric – from big jobs to small fixes, we are always happy to help our neighbours.

Charging Electric Vehicles at Home – What You Need to Know

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:03:54 GMT

May 1, 2025

If you haven’t noticed, electric vehicles are everywhere! New models and designs are hitting the road every day. The biggest change is where do you “fill them up”? We have been used to pulling into the service station and driving away with a full tank, five minutes later.

The way you charge your electric vehicle depends on how quickly you need the charge. From fast charge stations to trickle chargers, a full charge can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours.

The biggest convenience of electric vehicles is that you can charge them at home, even while you sleep. How quick you can recharge your vehicle depends on the type of charger you have.

In Canada, EV Chargers are broken into three categories:

Level 1: Vehicle owners are often supplied with Level 1 chargers when they purchase their vehicle. These chargers plug into a standard 120v outlet, but the downside of this charger is it may take 10-20 hours to recharge from empty.

Level 2: If you plan on charging your vehicle at home, a Level 2 charger is what you would install. They will provide a full charge in 3 to 8 hours. Similar to large appliances in your home, they use a dedicated 240 volt power source and a dedicated circuit, potentially up to 60 amps. Installing a Level 2 charger requires an electrician to wire in a dedicated receptacle or hard wire the unit directly.

Level 3 “Super chargers”: These chargers are direct current (DC) chargers and are at kiosks where you can pay to charge up your vehicle.

Does my house have the capacity to support an EV charger? This is a very common question. An EV charger adds a substantial load to your electrical infrastructure. Before an EV charger is installed, the electrician will summarize the existing electrical loads in a house and determine if there is enough capacity.

Our existing electrical service is undersized to add an EV charger, so now what? Upgrading the electrical service is one option, but there are others. Load sharing or charge controller devices can be wired in ahead of the charger and they will regulate the demand on the service. If the whole residence is demanding too much electricity, the EV charger will be put on hold until there is a smaller demand.

As we see more and more EVs on the road, the utility companies will need to find ways to provide electricity. Incentives or lower rates will be offered to those who charge their vehicles in the off-peak hours.

As Electric Vehicles become more common, ensuring that your home is ready for efficient charging is a great idea. Consulting with a qualified electrician and taking advantage of available rebates can make the transition smooth and cost-effective. And when you’re finished, you’ll enjoy the convenience of charging your car while you sleep!