Electricity powers lights, appliances and more in today’s modern homes. Depending on the age of your home, it may need to be updated with circuit breakers or have a few extra outlets added in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
You might also want to consider adding switches like dimmer switches or smart lighting switches. You could even replace two-prong outlets with grounded receptacles.
Increased Efficiency
A modern electrical system optimizes energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills and less environmental impact. Seamlessly integrating traditional systems with modern technology also helps to future-proof your electrical system. In addition, by taking a balanced approach to electricity, you can ensure that proper safety measures are in place while still maintaining the unique features of older buildings.
Whether you’re planning on selling your home in the near future or simply want to upgrade its functionality, an electrical system update is an essential investment. Not only will it make your home more appealing to potential buyers, but it can also help you save on utility costs and avoid costly issues like circuit overloads.
Most houses get their electricity from power lines that run along the street or through a conduit buried underground. These lines enter the house through a service mast that extends up one side of the house or a meter box where an electric meter is installed to track your energy usage.
Once inside the house, a breaker or fuse panel routes electricity to different outlets throughout the house. The main breaker panel typically has two conductors-a hot wire that powers standard 120-volt lights and appliances, and a neutral wire that carries the current back to the service panel. A third or grounding wire connects to all metal boxes and outlets in your house to complete the circuit. Electricity always seeks to return to its source, so if one of these wires becomes damaged or overloaded, it will automatically shut off the flow of current to prevent a fire hazard.
A newer electrical system will be better able to handle the demands of a modern household, and it will provide more options for future expansion. For example, many older homes have 60-amp fuse panels that only offer three to five general-purpose lighting and receptacle circuits, plus one or two 240-volt circuits for major appliances such as electric furnaces or water heaters. A newer panel will likely have at least a 150-amp and sometimes up to 200-amp service capacity, which is more than enough to support most modern appliances.
Better Safety
When it comes to home safety, most homeowners take precautions with alarm systems, fire resistant walls, burglar-proof windows and doors, and more. However, it’s also important to consider the electrical safety of your home and its residents. While many electrical safety issues arise from old, worn out appliances and devices that can be a fire hazard, there are other electrical upgrades you can make to your home that will help keep you and your family safe.
Modern homes rely on an intricate system of electricity to power everyday items like lights, appliances, heat, and more. When this system gets out of balance, it can cause damage to your electronics, appliances, and even your wiring. It’s important to get regular electrical inspections and updates to prevent these issues.
One of the most common electrical safety upgrades you can have done is to install GFCI outlets. These outlets can detect any imbalances of electrical current and shut down the circuit to prevent injuries or fires. Another option is to have a licensed electrician install a whole-house surge arrestor. This device will help stop dangerous power surges from entering your home, protecting your valuable electronics and reducing the risk of costly damages.
You should always unplug any appliances that you’re not using and keep extension cords away from water sources like sinks, bathtubs, and showers. You should also avoid using nails or staples to affix cords and instead use tape, which is much safer. It’s also a good idea to have a professional check your wiring to ensure that it is up to standards and not composed of faulty knob-and-tube (K&N) wiring, which poses an increased risk for fires.
Your service panel is where all the electrical wires that run throughout your house come together. It’s often found in the basement or garage, and it’s where you will find fuses or breakers. If a breaker trips, it will shut off the flow of power to a specific area in your house. More modern breakers flip a switch to the off position when they detect an overload and can be easily reset to restore the flow of power.
Increased Home Value
Many older homes need to have their wiring upgraded in order to handle the electrical demands of today’s technology. If you are planning to put your home on the market in the future, having modern, up-to-code wiring will ensure a smoother sale process and make your house more appealing to buyers.
Upgrading your electrical system can help you save money in the long run by preventing electrical failures and reducing your energy bills. In addition, it can protect your appliances and devices from damage caused by power surges. Additionally, a professional can inspect your electrical panel and recommend other upgrades to keep your home up-to-date and safe.
The first reason to upgrade your electrical system is for safety reasons. Many older homes still have knob and tube wiring, which can be a fire risk. Getting your home rewired will eliminate this danger and ensure that all of your outlets are grounded.
Another reason to have your home rewired is to increase the amount of electricity available in your house. Many homeowners rely on many electrical gadgets that require a lot of energy to operate, such as computers, televisions, and home automation systems. These devices may also use a lot of energy when in standby mode. Having your home rewired will provide you with more outlets to power these devices and reduce the chances of overloading your circuits.
Modern electrical components are designed, tested, and certified to be safe and reliable. In contrast, old-fashioned wiring can be a fire risk and cause damage to your appliances. Rewiring your home will help to protect you and your family from fires and other hazards, making it a safer place to live.
If you want to stay in your house for a long time, then getting your electrical system upgraded will be a good investment. However, if you are planning to sell your house in the near future, then this is even more important. An outdated electrical system will not be appealing to potential buyers and can cost you a lot of money. Having your house rewired will ensure that your house is safe for the next owners and will increase its value.
Better App Control
It’s easy to take for granted how simple it is to turn on your lights and plug in a TV or phone. But what if you could control your lighting and other electrical functions from your phone or smart device?
Residential electricians can now offer solutions that allow you to do just that. For example, new multiway switching and dimming controls can be installed with a minimal change to your existing light switches. You can also choose a smart switch with an easily adaptable look.
Other modern features include SPAN Panel, a whole-home energy management system that replaces your home’s electric panel. It offers circuit-level control, empowers you to understand real-time energy usage, and it helps you make smarter upgrades like solar and battery storage.