<p>More than 20,000 owners in metro St. Louis have now registered their home in the free +5 New Homeowners Electrical Protection Plan offered by the Electrical Connection.  The +5 plan provides a union-backed quality installation guarantee.  It is offered on new homes wired by electrical contractors employing members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One.  The Electrical Connection is a partnership of IBEW Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).</p>
<p>Launched in 1993, the +5 program gives enrollees five extra years of free electrical system maintenance beyond the initial one-year builder's warranty. "The program is a great success because of the confidence we have in our builders," said Jim Curran, executive vice president of the Electrical Connection.  "It's a great incentive, especially in a housing market like today where prospective homebuyers are looking for best value.  The +5 plan gives them the assurance of clean installations that comply with the National Electrical Code."</p>
<p>As of July 2011, 20,190 homes have been registered in the program. In its 18 years of existence, the program has provided free service calls to 4.5% of all homes registered.</p>