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Nick Swann works in his shop, A1 Electric Motor Repair in Lehi, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

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Nick Swann checks an electric capacitor while working in his shop, A1 Electric Motor Repair in Lehi, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

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Nick Swann works on repairing an air compressor in his shop, A1 Electric Motor Repair in Lehi, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

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With a kerosene heater nearby, Nick Swann works on repairing an air compressor in his shop, A1 Electric Motor Repair in Lehi, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

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Most of the time, when something like a blow dryer or a power tool quits working, people throw them away and purchase a new one. But a new business is hoping locals can hang on to those drills and dryers just a bit longer.

A1 Electric Motor Repair (EMR) opened shop in October on Main Street in Lehi, and they specialize exclusively in maintaining and repairing electric motors. Nick Swann and Kimi Worthen are partners in the business, and also soon-to-be married — so not only do they enjoy being together, they also make a great team. Worthen has experience in opening and running a successful business, and Swann has never met an electric motor he couldn’t fix.

In just their first few months of business, Swann and Worthen have fixed motors ranging in sizes from very tiny to huge. Even as they were still remodeling the old downtown Lehi building that houses their shop, people were already bringing them motors to fix. And the variety has been fun — they fixed a spinning tree for Christmas, and they have a baby swing coming in next week.

“A lot of people think once their power tools quit working, they’re done. But I can fix many power tools for less than it costs to buy another one,” Swann said.

“Some people think their things are too small a job, but we do it. There is not any job too small,” Worthen said.

But A1 EMR isn’t limited to household motors only. Swann has more than 10 years experience working on motors — much of that time in the manufacturing and industrial industries. He picked up the skills working for U.S. Magnesium, and then apprenticed in an electric motor shop so he could learn electric motors from start to finish, even how to reverse engineer them. He has been working on a number of manufacturing appliances and machines, and will repair larger motors on site.

A1 EMR repairs all brands and types of electric motors, including vintage and antique motors that are difficult, expensive, or too sentimental to replace. Repair is often a less expensive solution than replacement, but when it’s not, Worthen likes to help customers make an informed decision, even if it includes sending them to buy a new one.

“We can supply new motors as well, but often times we are able to advise a customer on how to buy a new motor without the markup of us as the middle man,” she said. “We strive to give our customers the professional information they need and help advise them on their options and what decision will be best for them.”

Repairing electric motors is unique and tricky, and many handymen and auto repair shops won’t touch them.

“It’s the science behind it — understanding the motor itself. Even the way you open an electric motor is different,” Swann said.

In fact, the only time his job is tough is when he has to refix a do-it-yourselfer “fix” where a customer tried to fiddle with the motor and made the problem worse.

“When you bring it in, please don’t open it,” Swann said with a laugh.

Swann knows motors so well that A1 EMR offers a free diagnostic, something that usually runs about $85 at other shops in Salt Lake City. They are also guaranteeing their quote on any motor, even if the repair takes longer than planned.

“It is rare for a customer in this industry to know exactly what their motor will cost to fix before ever spending a penny, but we believe that it is the right type of service to offer our customers,” Worthen said.

And Swann seems to truly be a talented repairman. Just by listening, Swann can hear when a motor has a bearing problem, or dust, or if there is an issue with too much vibration. He even recently diagnosed and fixed an industrial air conditioning motor problem without even seeing the motor, by just asking the customer a few questions about its mounting and drainage.

He and Worthen, both Lehi residents, are excited about partnering with businesses for their preventative maintenance needs as well. Swann said most motors, except a few cheap ones from China, can last quite a number of years with just regular cleaning and knowledgeable upkeep. And as a family-owned business, they can plan for larger businesses’ maintenance needs outside of regular working hours, saving those companies money and downtime.

Worthen said she and Swann chose this business and this area because there are no other electric motor repair shops in Utah County.

“There are a few in Salt Lake, and there was one in Provo, but he retired,” Worthen said. “Now residents don’t have to travel over the Point of the Mountain.”