Electric Home || Reading Your Electric Meter ||

Do you have to set that pole or electrical box there?

Why do you have to trim my tree? Why won’t you trim my tree?

The tree in my back yard is dead and in the electric lines. Will you take it down?

My wires are hanging low, can you raise them?

I built a deck and now my wires are too low. what do I do?

My street light is out. Can you fix it today? 

The street light is shining in my bedroom window. Can you turn it off? 

Can I switch from an overhead service to an underground service?

Can I get my underground service located? 

Can I get all the poles removed from my yard?

My repairman said my electronic equipment (everything from computers to microwaves) was damaged by a power surge.
Most so-called power surges are really something called transient voltages. They can be caused by anything from lightning in the area to static electricity in your own body. Some transient voltages can also be caused by solar flares. Such occurrences are well beyond the control of the electric department.

Do you have to set that pole or electrical box there?
Usually, yes. Kirkwood Electric staff do everything they can to avoid interfering with the looks or aesthetics of an area, but sometimes crews have to place electrical equipment in a place that isn’t pleasing to everyone. 

Why do you have to trim my tree? Why won’t you trim my tree? Trees in the lines can cause costly outages. Kirkwood Electric has to trim trees to keep the power flowing. The department closely adheres to its tree trimming policy. For a copy of this policy call 822-5842. 

The tree in my back yard is dead and in the electric lines. Will you take it down? 
Trees on private property are the homeowner’s responsibility for removal. Kirkwood Electric will assist in making sure that your tree contractor can remove it safely.

My wires are hanging low. Can you raise them? 
Probably. Sometimes there are changes that need to be made to the way your service entrance is installed on your home or building. There is a possibility that you might have to contact an electrical contractor to alter your service entrance. 

I built a deck and now my wires are too low. What do I do? 
Building a deck requires a permit from the city's Building Commissioner's Office. In many cases if wires are too low it is because the deck has been built without getting a permit and having the plans inspected by the Building Commissioner's Office. Kirkwood Electric crews can usually move the service wires but it may be at some expense to the homeowner. If you have built a deck without a permit you should contact the Building Commissioner's Office at 822-5823. 

My street light is out. Can you fix it today? 
Kirkwood Electric tries to repair street lights and dusk-to-dawn lights as quickly as possible. However, such repairs are sometimes delayed due to activities of a higher priority. 

The street light is shining in my bedroom window. Can you turn it off? 
Kirkwood Electric can usually shield the light so it isn’t so intrusive. Unless it is a dusk-to-dawn light that you are paying for, Kirkwood Electric cannot remove it. Call 822-5842 to place a service request.  

Can I switch from an overhead service to an underground service? Yes, Kirkwood Electric converts many overhead services to underground every month. You will have to get an electrical contractor to bury a conduit run. Kirkwood Electric will pull in the secondary cable to complete the service.  

Can I get my underground service located? 
Yes, call Missouri One-Call at 1-800-344-7483

Can I get all the poles removed from my yard?
Probably not. Power lines that run though your yard are usually serving electricity to your neighbors. Occasionally, wires can be buried, but it is done at cost to the requestor.