If you’re like most people who own an older home, you’re captivated by the character and old-school charm common to vintage properties. However, along with that particular appeal often comes an outdated household infrastructure that fails to meet the demands of the 21st-century family.
Modern households typically have far more electrical appliances and devices than their counterparts of the past, and outdated electrical systems often need help to keep up. Old wiring creates potential safety hazards, particularly if the system hasn’t been properly maintained. Routine inspections play an essential role in maintaining electrical safety in older homes, and at Plugz Electric, our skilled technicians have the experience necessary to provide you with the comprehensive inspection that your vintage home needs.
Understanding the Risks of Outdated Electrical Systems
The first step for those living in older homes is to recognize the importance of electrical safety inspections for their property. Keep in mind that your system may have deteriorated over time due to age-related wear-and-tear or may still be using outdated, low-quality components. These issues often lead to various hazards, such as fires and electrical shocks.
Common issues in vintage homes include overloaded electrical circuits, outdated panels, faulty wiring, and inadequate grounding. Not only do these issues put your safety and that of your family at risk, but they also increase the risk of property damage. Identifying and addressing these problems through regular inspections helps minimize the chances of these scenarios occurring.
Preventing Electrical Fires
The risk of electrical fires is at the top of the list of significant dangers associated with electrical systems in older homes. Worn-out wiring, overheated circuits, and outdated components all combine to create an elevated risk of fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of household fires in the United States.
Regular inspections help pinpoint potential fire hazards before they have the chance to escalate. During an inspection, our technician will assess the condition of the wiring, check for overloaded circuits, inspect the panels, and ensure that all the components of your electrical system meet current safety standards and are up to your local code requirements. This proactive approach substantially decreases the risk of electrical fires in your home.
Protecting Your Family and Appliances
Shocks and even electrocution are serious threats that homeowners should not ignore. Besides direct threats to household members, such as ungrounded outlets and frayed wiring, electrical issues also cause household appliances to malfunction.
By scheduling regular electrical inspections with Plugz Electric, you promote a safer environment for your loved ones. Our experienced inspectors work to identify potential shock hazards, test ground-fault circuit interrupters and other core components, and recommend upgrades designed to enhance household safety and protect your family from electrical accidents. In addition, we can install a whole home surge protector to protect your appliances and electronic devices from lightning strikes and variations in current caused by your municipal electric supply.
Preserving Property Value
Along with safeguarding your family and household pets, an up-to-date electrical system is a vital part of preserving the value of your home. A property with an outdated electrical system not only poses safety risks to occupants and neighbors but also has less value on the market than its up-to-date counterparts. Keep in mind that safety is often at the forefront of homebuyers’ concerns, and they’re likely to request electrical inspections as part of the purchasing process.
Keeping ahead of electrical issues demonstrates that your home is well-maintained and safe. Additionally, identifying and addressing issues simplifies the negotiation process when it is time to close the deal on your house. Ultimately, electrical safety inspections are an investment in maintaining or increasing your home’s value over time.
An Old Electrical System Can Affect Your Insurance
Electrical system regulations and building codes change over time to reflect advances in technology and increased safety standards. Older homes may fail to meet current code requirements, making them riskier for electrical safety hazards. An insurance company will calculate this into your quote or may refuse to offer you insurance at all. Safety inspections help ensure that your property is in compliance with local regulations, potentially saving you a substantial amount of money on home insurance.
Contact Plugz Electric for More Information
At Plugz Electric, we have been serving the residents of Forest Lake, MN since 2021. We are licensed electricians you can trust to inspect your home’s wiring. In addition, we perform services like installing EV charging stations, whole-home surge protection, and hard-wired carbon monoxide detectors. Contact Plugz Electric today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
