Frequently Asked Questions

Commercial generators are larger and designed to support critical operations during extended outages, while residential systems provide backup power for essential home circuits. At Jenson Electric, we integrate both types with existing electrical infrastructure and transfer switches to ensure seamless operation and long-term serviceability for homes and businesses.

Underground conduit provides the critical groundwork for reliable long-term electrical service by routing power safely beneath the surface. Accurate trenching and system layout coordinate with site development and utility providers. Jenson Electric handles large commercial, industrial, and municipal sites across Des Moines, ensuring proper infrastructure for future expansion.

LED upgrades improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance visibility and safety for commercial properties. They're built to withstand Iowa weather conditions, including freezing temperatures and heavy snow. Jenson Electric designs lighting layouts that improve site appearance and meet code requirements for retail centers, offices, and industrial sites.

Yes, electrical upgrades and service work can be performed in occupied buildings with careful coordination and scheduling. Jenson Electric has extensive experience working in live facilities, including water treatment plants and commercial buildings, focusing on safety and minimal operational impact throughout the project.

Cost depends on generator size, fuel type, transfer switch complexity, and integration with existing electrical systems. Larger commercial systems supporting critical operations require more advanced equipment and installation labor. At Jenson Electric, we design solutions tailored to your facility's backup power needs and budget.

Fiber and structured cabling provide reliable, high-speed connectivity essential for communication, cloud access, and network performance. Clean, organized installation ensures scalability as business technology needs grow. Jenson Electric coordinates with IT requirements to deliver performance-focused infrastructure for offices, campuses, and municipal facilities in Central Iowa.

Water treatment plant electrical work includes power distribution, control systems, pump station upgrades, and equipment connections in complex, operational environments. Projects require code compliance, safety coordination, and minimal downtime. Jenson Electric has proven experience supporting municipal infrastructure across Des Moines and surrounding communities.

Exterior lighting should be upgraded when visibility declines, fixtures fail frequently, or energy costs become excessive. Upgrading to LED improves safety, reduces maintenance, and enhances site appearance. Jenson Electric evaluates existing layouts and recommends new designs suited to Iowa's seasonal weather and local lighting code requirements.

The most common mistake is undersizing the generator or neglecting regular maintenance, which leads to failure during outages. Proper sizing, transfer switch integration, and routine service ensure reliable operation when power is lost. At Jenson Electric, we design systems that support critical operations and provide long-term serviceability.

Security cameras require coordinated power and data cabling that integrates with building electrical panels and network infrastructure. Proper installation ensures reliable monitoring and supports access control systems. Jenson Electric designs installations for commercial, industrial, and municipal environments focused on long-term operation and safety.

Tenant improvements typically require panel upgrades, lighting modifications, data cabling, and power distribution for new equipment or layouts. Work must coordinate with building codes and existing systems. Jenson Electric provides electrical support for commercial remodels, focusing on safety, scheduling, and minimal disruption to neighboring tenants.

Yes, properly designed exterior lighting systems are built to withstand freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and wind common in Iowa winters. LED fixtures offer reliable performance in cold weather and reduce outages. Jenson Electric installs durable poles, fixtures, and controls engineered for Central Iowa's seasonal climate conditions.

Yes — Jenson Electric installs whole-home standby generators compatible with both natural gas and propane fuel sources throughout Johnston and the greater Des Moines metro. During your consultation, we assess your existing fuel supply, calculate the right generator size for your home's load, and handle all permitting and transfer switch installation so you're protected no matter the weather.

Jenson Electric installs whole-home standby generators in Johnston, Iowa and the surrounding Des Moines metro. They handle everything from sizing and permitting to transfer switch installation, giving homeowners a fully connected backup power system that activates automatically when the grid goes down.

The right generator size depends on your home's total electrical load, which appliances you need to power during an outage, and whether your home runs on natural gas or propane. A proper load calculation during the installation process ensures the unit is neither undersized nor wastefully oversized for your specific Johnston home.

We install card-based readers, keypad entry, and credential-management systems for businesses of all sizes across Johnston and Central Iowa. Our licensed electricians handle the full installation — from low-voltage wiring and door hardware to integration with your existing security cameras and electrical panel — ensuring code compliance and a single point of accountability for your entire system.

Jenson Electric installs commercial access control systems throughout Johnston and the greater Central Iowa area. Our licensed electricians manage every part of the project — low-voltage wiring, door hardware, and panel integration — so businesses get a fully compliant, professionally installed system without coordinating multiple contractors.

Yes, Jenson Electric integrates access control systems directly with your existing security cameras and electrical panel as part of a single installation. Combining these systems under one licensed electrical contractor ensures the wiring, hardware, and controls all meet code and work together reliably from day one.

Jenson Electric handles the full permit process for Johnston and surrounding communities. After sizing your generator and completing a load assessment, we coordinate with your local utility for interconnection approval and pull the required electrical permits. Most residential installations are complete within a day once permits clear, leaving you with a fully inspected, code-compliant standby system.

Most residential standby generator installations in Johnston are completed within a single day once permits are cleared. The work includes setting the generator, connecting the transfer switch, and passing a final electrical inspection so the system is fully code-compliant before we leave.

Yes, a permit is required for standby generator installations in Johnston, Iowa. Jenson Electric pulls the necessary electrical permits and manages utility interconnection approval on your behalf, so you don't have to navigate the process yourself.