Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for electrical service companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. As a family-owned and operated company, Dollens Electric Corp truly understands the importance of determining and meeting its customers’ needs. “We’re able to give our customers more personal and responsive attention than larger corporations,” says owner Steve Dollens. “Our attentive and familial approach to doing business has been a big part of our success.”

In addition to designing and building electrical systems for new construction and remodeling projects, Dollens Electric Corp provides energy use assessments and installs electrical generators, photovoltaic solar electric systems, energy monitoring and reporting systems, residential lighting and low voltage wiring, and electric car chargers. Unlike its larger competitors, the company emphasizes customers’ needs rather than sales numbers. “General electrical work is pretty straightforward, but when you’re dealing with generators and solar systems, it’s imperative to understand what the customer needs and is trying to accomplish,” explains Mr. Dollens. “When we start a project, we listen first and then provide a comprehensive solution.”

Another distinguishing feature of Dollens Electric Corp is the continuous, comprehensive service it provides for its customers. “We routinely monitor the performance of our solar systems to ensure they’re maintaining the same levels of performance as when we installed them,” says Mr. Dollens. “And we always respond to customer calls, whether it’s to resolve a problem or just answer a question. About 80 percent of the service calls we get are from people whose original contractors won’t return their calls. We understand the importance of staying connected to our customers. They know we’re here when they need us.”

When choosing a generator, pick one that can effectively handle your specific power needs. “People who need generators can be divided into three tiers,” says Steve Dollens, owner of Dollens Electric Corp in San Jose. “The first tier consists of those who experience frequent power outages. Generally, that’s related to altitude. As you go up into the hills, the power becomes less reliable because there are more trees that take out power lines during storms. The second tier consists of those who want to have power during a natural disaster. The third tier is comprised of senior citizens and others that require uninterrupted power to run medical equipment. They’re the most sensitive to power outages, but they don’t need high-capacity systems.”

After deciding what tier you belong to, Mr. Dollens recommends hiring an electrical contractor who can determine your needs and propose a system that meets them. “For example, a back-up generator will keep your refrigerator cold if the power goes out, but it won’t power your entire house. You need to make sure your generator system can meet your specific power requirements.”

Even if you don’t use your home generator on a regular basis, it’s still important to keep a regular maintenance schedule—in case of an emergency, you’ll want the generator operating at its peak potential. Here are some general maintenance tips:

Oil
Since a generator works similarly to a car engine, it’s necessary to check the oil from time to time. The best time to do this is at the start of every winter and summer. Also, don’t forget to change the oil and air filters at least once a year.

Belts
Belts only need to be replaced every couple of years, but it’s a good idea to regularly inspect them for any dryness, wear or cracking. If the belts aren’t in good working condition, they can overheat the generator or make the equipment function inefficiently.

Antifreeze
Drain the radiator’s antifreeze and replace it with new fluid once a year. If antifreeze stays in the radiator too long, it can deteriorate the generator and eventually lessen the lifespan of the equipment.

Storage
No matter where you’re keeping your home generator, make sure the area around it is as clean as possible. Also, trim any weeds that grow around the equipment.

Manual
Different manufacturers suggest different maintenance tips for their products. Consult the manual that comes with your generator to check for more maintenance activities. Follow the tips closely to ensure maximum performance.

Professional inspection
To be more secure about your home generator’s performance, have it checked by a professional once a year. This will help ensure all the parts are in safe working condition and the generator is ready to use at any moment.

Q: Can you tell me what size solar system I need?

A: Absolutely. On average, we spend 20 hours characterizing and analyzing each prospective solar customer’s electrical usage before we propose a system. We also tell our customers what their new electrical bills will be and what the precise charges for the solar installation will be. This is all before we’ve made a sale and entered into an agreement.

Q: Can you tell me what size generator I need?

A: Yes. Before we sell you a generator, we’ll spend a great deal of time talking with you about your energy needs—where you want to put it, what the noise level should be, what the permitting requirements are and so forth. We’ll make a recommendation based on your particular requirements.

Q: How much experience do you have?

A: Our owner, Steve Dollens, has been in the electrical business for 30 years. On the solar side, we’ve been installing systems for four years. In Amador and Calaveras Counties, we’re the largest solar installer by a two-to-one margin over our closest competitor.

Q: Do you provide references?

A: Yes. In fact, we maintain 100 percent of the solar customers in our database as references for future customers. We routinely provide 12 months of references and encourage you to call any of them to ask how they liked our services.