If you’ve just purchased a home, inherited an older home, or have been living in a home for years without updating old electrical wiring, it’s a good idea to find out what is involved in the process. Updating electrical systems may be necessary to prevent electrical issues such as a fire or electrocution, or because existing wiring is not meeting the modern electrical demands for your family.
Replacing the wiring in a home is a big job. This is one of the reasons many homeowners put off doing it and you may be purchasing or looking at buying a home with outdated electrical systems.
Electrical Wiring and Home Insurance Implications
It can be especially relevant if you’re purchasing a home with older electrical wiring as insurance companies may not insure a home with 60-amp service, aluminum wiring, or knob and tube wiring.
This outdated type of wiring system is inherently dangerous, does not meet modern wiring code requirements and there is a higher risk of electrical fires. In some cases, an insurance company may not renew a policy until the electrical wiring has been updated. Old electrical wiring poses a fire hazard.
If an insurance company does insure the home, you may be paying higher premiums due to the risks old wiring poses.
Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Electrical Wiring
The team at House Logic put together a helpful checklist for When You Need to Upgrade the Wiring in Your Home that includes these warning signs:
- Breakers that trip or fuses that blow repeatedly
- A tingling sensation when you touch an appliance
- Flickering or dimming lights
- A persistent burning smell from a room or appliance
- Warm, discolored, or sparking outlets
- Two-prong ungrounded outlets throughout the house
- No Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets in kitchens, baths, and other areas exposed to moisture
Also, watch for:
- Switchplates that feel hot to the touch
- Outlets sparking when plugging or unplugging cords
- Buzzing sounds around outlets
- Loose or cracked outlets
- Electrical shocks
These warning signs can be an indication of potential electrical risk and you should get a qualified electrician to do an electrical inspection to determine if you need to update the wiring in the home.
Benefits of Updating Old Electrical Wiring
The most important benefit is safety. Old electrical wiring can be dangerous as it poses an increased risk for fire. Older wiring can also become brittle posing additional risks. But there are other benefits to updating wiring:
- Better or more electrical outlets and switches. Old electrical systems didn’t plan for the number of devices we use today.
- More circuit breaker distribution throughout the home providing more available power for the increased number of electrical devices and appliances used today.
- Adding Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) for additional safety.
- Add whole house surge protection to protect appliances and electronic devices during a power outage.
First Step is an Electrical Inspection
If the wiring in your home hasn’t been updated in the last 30 or 40 years, it would be a good idea to have a licensed electrician out to perform an inspection. If you’re buying a home, you may want to have an electrician perform an electrical inspection before purchasing so you can make an informed decision.
After completing an inspection, the electrician will be able to identify any risks that may start a fire and make recommendations for updating old wiring.
Our team of professional electricians is experienced in updating the wiring in older homes and the national electrical code. Contact us to do an electrical inspection or to provide a quote.
