
Why You Should Switch To Underground Service Feeders
Whether you’re building a new house, you’re a contractor, or you work for a municipality, you have many choices to bring power to new construction. In the past, overhead service feeders were the industry standard — they still are today in many areas of the country. But it’s not the only option. By switching to underground service feeders for utilities, you can achieve a number of benefits you never thought possible. Here’s why you should consider it.
What Are Underground Service Feeders?
Before making the decision to use underground service feeders, you should probably know what they are. The idea is simple. Instead of having wires and cables for internet, fiber optics, and power above ground suspended by poles, they’re buried in the ground.
Moreover, the wires run along the standard utility poles, down a pipe to a transformer, and then into the ground where they’re fed into the house — typically through some type of PVC pipe.
The Advantages of Switching to Underground Service Feeders
Aside from having no visible wires above ground and a better overall aesthetic, underground service feeders have a more important role: they’re impervious to damage from weather, motorists, thieves, vandals, or any other thing that could cause significant damage. More than anything, you won’t have a disruption of power, internet, or other services that are integral to the comfort and convenience of your daily life.
The Added Cost of Underground Service Feeders
Unfortunately, the major downside of underground service feeders is the additional cost. According to some estimates, the underground infrastructure of this type is three to five times more expensive than traditional overhead service feeders.
This added expense can pose a problem to those on a budget. However, you have to make some major assumptions about the future of these wires. If these feeders or wires have far less of a chance of being damaged, the associated costs of repairs and downtime may actually make cost a non-issue.
A similar concept would be purchasing a brand-new car as opposed to a used one. A used one can certainly get you where you need to go, but after repairs and maintenance, you may find that buying a new car is actually the better option in a cost-benefit model.
Safety Concerns
When live wires come down during a storm or an accident, they pose an imminent threat to everyone around. But with underground service, you don’t have to worry about such issues. The only true safety concern is knowing where you can dig. As long as you plan ahead for digging a water feature or trench, underground infrastructure is almost always the safer solution.
Finding a Reputable Contractor for Underground Infrastructure
Even the best planning, budgeting, and management are all for nothing if you don’t have the proper company to do the work.
EPS Engineering not only specializes in underground infrastructure solutions but we have a variety of options available to residential, commercial, and municipal clients. With many successful projects completed throughout the Bay Area, we can help.
You should place the utmost priority on finding a reputable contractor for underground infrastructure, or you just might find yourself behind on time and light on cash. Make sure that you choose an experienced company with great resources, the right equipment, and knowledgeable workers. Only then can you truly reap the benefits of a switch to underground service feeders? The EPS Engineering team is here to assist you on your next underground infrastructure project anywhere in the Bay Area. Contact us to discuss.