Why It Pays To Upgrade Your Electrical Wiring

Upgrading your electrical systems, including wiring, power boxes, switches, and lighting, offers so much to homeowners that it’s a worthwhile investment.

There is the enhanced safety of replacing outdated or faulty wiring. It can pose a significant safety risk, increasing the chances of electrical fires or shocks.

Benefits

Upgrading modern wiring systems with proper insulation and safety features can reduce these risks, making the home safer for occupants.

Plus, the upgrade will ensure your electrical products meet the building codes you need when you sell your home and meet NEC’s recommended safety guidelines.

Achieve lower costs with improved energy efficiency, reliability, and technology compatibility. Look forward to lower insurance premiums when you get your electrics.

Finally, when it’s time to sell your home, updated wiring and electrical systems attract homebuyers.

What Electrics To Upgrade

Electrical upgrades are not a DIY project; use licensed professionals. Important electrical upgrades should include the following:

1. Electrical Outlets

Electric outlets are the basics of your home electrical system. Unfortunately, most homeowners take these system’s functionalities for granted. Besides, if you live in an old home, there is a high chance that it has outdated electrical outlets, including some lacking ground wires.

Electrical outlet design and technology have improved and evolved from the traditional two-pronged outlets. Unless you’ve upgraded your outlets before, renovation is the perfect time to install new or additional outlets in your home.

Upgrade electrical outlets in your home office, outdoor space, kitchen, and bedrooms. While this may look obvious, installing new outlets can make your electrical systems convenient, more functional, and safer.

Outlets

What outlets need to be upgraded?

Recessed, AFCI and 20A outlets

Traditional electrical plugs that stick out of the sockets can affect your interior décor. They are also an obstruction, especially in small spaces. Recessed outlets keep everything neat.

Heavy-duty household appliances use more power than others. For instance, dryers and washers need more power than portable fans. Therefore, you should consider installing 20A outlets for heavy-duty appliances to avoid tripping your circuit breakers. These outlets should be installed in the garage, kitchen, and laundry rooms.

Install AFCI outlets to improve your home electrical system’s safety.

Plugs with USB outlets

Installing these outlets eliminates the clutter from your home’s laptop and mobile phone chargers. Most new outlets have combined USB ports and standard AC plugs.

Other significant upgrades to your electrical outlets include tamper-resistant receptacles, smart outlets, and nightlight outlets.

2. Smart Surge Protectors

Advancing technologies and increasing reliance on electronic devices have made surge protection more critical than before. Power surges resulting from fluctuations in the utility grid, lightning strikes, and malfunctioning electrical systems can wreak havoc on your expensive household appliances and gadgets.

Fortunately, manufacturers have moved from traditional surge protectors to new, intelligent protectors with advanced features and abilities that meet the demands of modern homes. Smart surge protectors leverage innovative technologies and have capabilities beyond surge protection.

Surge protectors are designed to safeguard appliances and electrical devices from voltage surges and spikes. Plus they have advanced protection circuits that react faster and can withstand high levels of power strikes. Some models even offer multiple levels of surge protection.

Installing innovative surge protectors when renovating your home gives you peace of mind, as you can be sure your expensive devices are protected from unexpected power fluctuations.

3. Electrical Wiring Upgrades

Home renovation is also a perfect opportunity to upgrade your electrical wiring. While some electrical wires last over 40 years, you should rewire your home every 25 years.

Unless you know how old your wires are, you should look for apparent signs that your home needs rewiring, such as flickering lights, discolored outlets and switches, and a burning smell.

Living in an old home without wiring upgrades is a significant safety risk. Wiring faults and other electrical issues were responsible for 46,700 cases, or 13% of reported home fires between 2015 and 2019, resulting in 1,330 injuries and 390 deaths. Fortunately, simple upgrades to your home’s wiring system can ensure you aren’t part of these statistics.

Apart from improved safety, upgrading your electrical wiring prevents electrical leaking, which might be the reason behind high utility bills. Upgraded wiring system also reduces the risk of power outages due to power overloads, storms, and damage to household appliances.

4. Electrical Panel

You should also schedule electrical panel updates during a home renovation. Contrary to what most homeowners presume, not all modern appliances are energy efficient. Some advanced devices still need more electricity to function correctly.

Your home’s electrical panel should be upgraded to handle the demands of such electronics and appliances.

Did you know modern households use nearly the same energy as older homes? We are using more appliances and devices that use electricity, but with a newer home, it’s more energy efficient.

Replacing your electrical panel helps control energy consumption while keeping your home safe and surge-free.

Endnote

Updating your electrical systems improves safety and functionality and adds value when you sell your home.

The National Electrical Code also requires residential homeowners to update their electrical systems regularly to meet legal standards.

Poor wiring and outdated electrical systems also make your home vulnerable to electrical shocks and fire that harm people, animals, and the environment.