Upgrading an Older Home’s Electrical System

Let Danny’s Electrical Service Inc. Modernize Your Wiring and Panel

Have you ever considered upgrading an older home’s electrical system? Electrical wiring is designed to last a long time, so rarely do we think about updating or maintaining it until something goes wrong. Over time, electrical wires degrade, which reduces their effectiveness and can cause major problems for your home. This is worse in older homes that didn’t have the materials or the safety regulations that we now have.

Outdated Electrical Systems Increase the Probability for a House Fire

If your home is more than 50 years old with original wiring, it needs an update. As much as we love the character that our older homes have, they weren’t designed with today’s technological wants and needs in mind. Old wiring not only fails to support technological demands, it also increases the chances of a house fire. Electrical problems cause more than 10 percent of all residential fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Tips for a Smooth Rewiring Process

Here are some tips to make sure the rewiring process goes smoothly:

  1. Create a list of all of the devices that you’ll be using in the house, and where you want them. Your wiring needs to match your needs. Preplanning will make sure that you have what you need.
  2. Check out local codes and pull permits. You don’t want to be in the middle of the project or have it delayed because of an unknown rule or law. Codes set standards for everything from how many outlets in each room to what kind of wire you can use. If you don’t get a permit, you may have to pull out all of your finished work.
  3. Know what’s behind your walls. You don’t want to be cutting into drywall to replace wires and damage a supporting beam or pipe.
  4. Most importantly, find an electrician who knows and understands older buildings. We at Danny’s Electrical Service Inc. are knowledgeable about upgrading wiring and electrical systems.

For more information on saving energy, give Danny’s Electrical Service Inc. a call at (540) 998-5750, or follow us on Facebook for updates. We are happy to discuss how you can be safe by upgrading an older home’s electrical system.