You may wonder if you can afford to put off upgrading the wiring in an older house. While delaying this may seem like a smart option, it’s usually not a good idea.

If your home has an older electrical system, you may be putting more of a load on the wiring than what it can support. The reasoning for this is simple – today, you use more power than ever before.

When your older home’s electrical components were brand new, there was a smaller number of devices and appliances in the home. If you are like most people, and using more and more technology with increasing electricity demands, then outdated wiring can pose a significant hazard. As a result, it’s best to upgrade the wiring as soon as possible.

How to be Sure Your House Needs Upgraded Wiring

Outdated or faulty wiring is one of the main causes of residential fires. In fact, it often ranks at the top of the list. The older the house is, the higher the risk is of the wiring being to old to be safe based on modern standards.

There are some insurance providers that won’t even cover houses that have outdated wiring. If the age of your home isn’t enough to convince you that a wiring update is needed, there are a few other warning signs to know about. These include:

• Too many two-pronged outlets
• Circuit breakers that continue tripping
• Burning smells coming from specific appliances or rooms
• Lights that flicker or dim unpredictability
• No GFCI outlets in the kitchen or bathroom
• Warm or discolored electrical outlets

Wiring Upgrades for Your Electrical System Aren’t Completely Out of Your Control

When you call an electrician for a wiring upgrade, they will assess your system to determine if it can handle the current needs you have. If they discover the wiring has fallen short, an upgrade – for the panel or wiring – may be the next step.

If you have found a quality expert for the job, you probably have more options to consider than you may think. To begin with, if you have an older home you may want to keep some features in place. It may be necessary to pay more to keep the structural assets you want to retain, but this preventative measure can save you a lot in restorative work down the road.

You may also need to make upgrades to light fixtures and receptacles. Because the wiring is being updated anyway, you can do this at the same time. When upgrading your wiring, improved safety measures will also take effect.

Hire an Electrician for Your Home Wiring Upgrade

Contact us today if you are ready to invest in a wiring upgrade for your home. Doing this is going to pay off and help ensure you get the safety you need. The pros offer peace of mind that everything will be handled properly and that your home can handle the electrical devices you have in place.