7 Electrical Upgrades an Older Home Needs
Are you planning to move into an older home or renovate the one you live in? Be aware that many older homes don’t have proper electrical systems setup. Upgrading can make your life easier and safer. Schedule to have the electrical upgrades done sooner, and you’ll quickly realize the benefits. They include reducing the risk of fires, improving your home’s value, and making it more comfortable. Read on to learn more.
New Wiring
Most older homes have outdated wiring. The wiring may not be safe for the number of appliances and electronics you have, or it doesn’t have enough capacity to handle everything you need. It may also not be up to the set codes.
Probably a provider of electrical repair services in Woodlawn, TN, has already mentioned you require new wiring. However, have one inspect the home before starting work to understand what changes to make.
As you will realize, older homes usually have knob and tube wiring, which is a fire hazard. The only time you see it now is in old buildings that haven’t been renovated yet. As part of your electrical upgrades plan, if you have this type of wiring, replace it as soon as possible.
Electrical Panels
You may suspect that your older home has an outdated electrical panel, but you won’t know for sure until you have an electrician inspect it. Old panels are usually smaller than modern ones, and they often don’t have proper protection or safety features.
Have an expert look at the amperage and number of circuits in the panel to make sure they can handle your current needs. You don’t want to overload it and blow a fuse or cause a fire. When the electrical panel is inadequate, you’ll realize problems such as:
- Lights flickering or buzzing
- Breaker trips frequently
- You can’t use as many appliances and electronics at the same time
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s not just the wiring that needs to be updated. Older homes often don’t have enough smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. Many communities require that all homes have the sensors.
There’s no reason to put off installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They come in handy when you least expect it and could save your life.
GFCI Outlets
Older homes usually don’t have GFCI outlets, a requirement in all houses now. These outlets have special sensors that can detect an electrical current leak. When there is a leak, the outlet will shut off the current to prevent harm.
Older homes don’t have GFCI outlets installed because many are wired with two-prong outlets instead of three. Replace the two-prong outlets with new GFCI ones. When you hire an electrician to do this, they’ll also look at the wiring behind the outlets and make sure it’s up to par.
Dimmer Switches
Many older homes don’t have dimmer switches installed. The controls are great for saving energy, and you can use them to set the mood in a room. They also reduce stress on your lightbulbs, so they last longer.
Install Smart Home Technology
If you want to make your life easier, install smart home technology. It allows you to control your home’s electronics and appliances with your voice or phone. You can also set up a schedule, so everything turns on and off when you want it to.
For instance, motion sensor lights turn on when they detect movement. You can set them to turn off after a certain amount of time.
Add More Outlets
Many older homes don’t have enough outlets installed or are hidden away in difficult-to-reach areas. You’ll need more outlets to plug appliances into as you add more. Replace older outlets with newer ones that can handle more wattage. Add more circuits to have enough outlets for all your electronics.
Upgrading Means Fewer Electrical Issues
Old homes are charming and hold many great memories, but some have electrical issues. Resolving the problems translates to fewer breakdowns, more convenience, and, most importantly, safety. You might also reduce the energy bills as you do electrical upgrades in your home. If you’re not sure where to start, hire an electrician to take a look at your home.
In case you have any architectural, structural, and MEP design including fire sprinkler design requirements, or need to design your home renovation project including structure, and HVAC design, feel free to contact us. We provide you with the full permit set design + T24 for your request.