Electrical Service Upgrades: Is Your Home Safe?

Electrical service upgrades should be part of any home improvement or home renovation project. The reason is not only for money saving energy efficiency, but for safety. In fact, if your home is over 30 to 40 years old, it is probably rife with wiring that isn’t up to modern day demands. And that remains the leading cause of fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

If you are considering a remodel, then electrical service upgrades ought to be the first on your list. Because when you introduce new fixtures and new appliances (link to Choosing New Household Appliances article) into an older home, it probably won’t be able to handle the bigger workload. That’s a recipe for disaster. But an avoidable disaster, if you hire a professional to do the necessary electrical service upgrades.

Importance of Electrical Service Upgrades

You come home from a hard day’s work, clicking the remote to open the garage doors. Inside, you turn down the air conditioning, flip on the lights, television and pop some leftovers in the oven or the microwave. While dinner is heating up, you turn on your laptop or tablet and check your email. After dinner, it’s time to throw some laundry in the washing machine. You grab a quick shower and then put your freshly cleaned clothes into the dryer.

Don’t look now, but you’ve just used nine different appliances. And that doesn’t include the landscaping outside which is illuminating your flowerbed and hardscape.

Today, we expect more from our homes than ever before. As the number of appliances we use continues to grow, so does our energy consumption. You can help manage the demands placed on your electrical system and keep it in safe working condition by understanding the basics of how electricity is distributed around your home. —Electrical Safety Foundation International, U.S. Department of Energy

In the span of less than an hour, you’ve used your HVAC system, and at least four other major, energy draining appliances.

How long do you think your wiring can handle that heavy load those fixtures demand without electrical service upgrades? The answer shouldn’t surprise you, especially if your home is over 30 to 40 years old. Rather than pondering the question, it’s time to take action to learn if your home is in need of immediate electrical service upgrades.

Warning Signs of Bad Electrical Systems

So how do you determine if it is really time for electrical service upgrades? Aside from the obvious sparks flying from appliances large or small, there are a number of indicators you can look for to know if your home’s electrical system is ready for electrical service upgrades:

  • Appliances regularly trip breakers or blow fuses when powered on
  • You experience a tingling sensation when touching certain electronics
  • Lights dim or flicker when in use
  • You can smell burning emanating from a particular appliance or room
  • Outlets that are discolored or remain warm even when not in use
  • Two-pronged electrical outlets
It’s important to take notice of these things before taking on a home improvement project. Moreover, you should also look for things like mold, in and around kitchen cabinets, outside around swimming pools and of course, in the bathrooms. The presence of such fungus can be attributed to a failing water softener or water heater.

If you’re going to sell your home in the near future and buy a new house, please don’t hesitate to phone me at 407-616-7286, I’ll be happy to speak with you.