The electrical system in your house is like the nervous system in your body. It sends vital signals and keeps things running! Don’t take this crucial part of your home for granted. As the years go by, your needs change. Old equipment or fixtures might not suffice anymore. They may have degraded over time, or been damaged by water, rodents, or more.
Take some time and consider what your home’s electrical system is lacking, what hasn’t held up well over the years, and what could use some work. Want some suggestions? Here are five possible upgrades to your home’s electrical system that could make a huge difference, and might even be critical for safety or functionality.
1: Your Electrical Panel
As our need for power has gotten greater, thanks to modern electronics and more and more people working from home, older electrical panels sometimes simply can’t keep up. If you know you have more (or more powerful) appliances and electronics than you used to, or if your electrical panel is more than 25 years old, it’s time for an upgrade.
If you have frequently-tripping circuit breakers, flickering or dimming lights, buzzing or crackling sounds, or heat, scorch marks, or burning smells at the panel itself, you definitely need an upgrade! Without it, you’re at high risk of electrical fire.
2: Light Fixtures
Sometimes, the flickering or dimming lights aren’t related to your electrical panel. Sometimes, it’s the fixtures themselves, or the wiring that connects them. You know you’ve got a problem if there’s a fixture that burns through light bulbs abnormally quickly. New lighting is also the kind of upgrade that can add beauty and resale value to a home!
3: Wiring
If your home is older—as in, it was built in the 1940s or earlier—it may still have knob-and-tube wiring. This stuff did the trick for quite awhile, but was phased out as safer and more efficient alternatives became available. Again, this is a fire hazard, so if you suspect that your home still has some of this, you need rewiring.
4: Outlets and Switches
Have you seen sparks when you plugged something into an outlet? Does a lightswitch ever shock you, or feel hot to the touch? Or perhaps you have outlets in places near water, like the kitchen or bathroom, which aren’t GFCI outlets? For your safety, and for a pleasant and easy experience using your switches and outlets, you definitely need an upgrade.
5: Modern Innovations
In today’s high-tech world, there may be things you need that your home was never equipped for. Electronics charging stations, outlets with USB ports, electric car charging stations, smart thermostats and more can make your home more efficient and more user-friendly for modern homeowners. Consult a qualified electrician to learn about all the possibilities!
If you need more information about electrical panel upgrades in Columbia, SC or have any other home electrical needs, we’d be honored to help ensure your safety and bring your home up-to-date.
Contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling today for an electrical expert in Columbia, SC!