You work hard to make your house feel like a home. Updating appliances, repainting rooms, and swapping out your floors are common measures of up-keep for homeowners, but what’s often overlooked is the condition of your house’s electrical system. Since using electricity is innate this day and age, it’s important to be aware of what factors might lead to wear and tear on your energy source, how to identify a potential problem, and the risks and rewards involved in maintaining your home’s wiring.
Not every homeowner has the opportunity to be involved in the installation of their electrical wiring during the construction process, naturally leaving a lot of questions for those who purchased an older home or aren’t familiar with its circuitry. Copper has been the most common material for wiring in homes, but it loses conductivity with age. The city of Tallahassee saw its largest population boom in the 1960s and ‘70s, dating a lot of homes to a period of time where aluminum wiring was used as a less expensive alternative to standard copper. Aluminum proved to be ineffective as a material for home electrical supply, and the industry reverted back to copper. Today, PVC-insulated wire is the trade standard and has proven to be safe, cost-effective, and energy efficient.
Your wiring can diminish in durability from many causes. After around forty years of use, copper wiring starts to lose its conductivity and strength, leading to a reduction in the electricity flowing and potential fraying of the wire, which could spark a fire. Aluminum wiring has been linked to more frequent electrical failures, electrocution and house fires than copper and even more so with age. Harsh weather, like hurricane season in Florida, could damage the wiring in your home too. In addition, the wiring in older homes may not be strong enough to support newer appliances that require more electricity, overpowering your wires and adding unnecessary stress to your circuits. While it is important to be mindful of your electricity use and to take precautions to preserve your home’s wiring, damage from time or weather is nearly inevitable, so it’s best to know what to expect in the event that your electrical wiring is ready for an update.
Houses will likely exhibit a few key signs that it’s time to update their electrical system. First, large appliances won’t run at their full capacity. For example, dishes might take an extra cycle in the dishwasher, or dinner may stay in the oven a few minutes longer than usual. Lights will flicker frequently or stop working altogether. The breakers in your circuit panel will trip more often as well. Sometimes, electrical outlets will even give off a strange odor or a crackling sound. If these red flags continue for weeks or months, your wiring might need a partial or complete rework. Contact a local electrician to inspect your home and estimate repairs.
Rewiring the entirety of a house’s electricity is an investment. The initial cost may seem high, but the pay-off of having safe and reliable power is higher. Newer wires promise greater longevity and save on costs in the long run. More efficient wiring will use less electricity to power the same functions in your house, cutting your energy costs. In addition, many homeowners’ insurance plans will renegotiate a lower rate with you for updating your wiring since you’re proactively reducing risk. Check with your insurance provider to see if this is a viable option for you.
Don’t let old wiring leave you in the dark. Enjoy the comfort of your home the way you were meant to. Call an electrician for an assessment of your home’s electrical wiring to make sure you and your family are safe and sound. Ask about what measures you can take to preserve the longevity of your electrical wiring and get the most out of your energy.
Alix Clise
Home & Yard Magazine