Your home’s electrical system runs the lights, HVAC, hot water heater and other appliances. It’s important to know when it’s time to upgrade this crucial component of your house.
Depending on your needs, an electrician can help you upgrade your home’s electrical panel. This will increase your home’s value, prepare your house for clean energy solutions and allow you to install additional electric appliances in the future.
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Overcrowded Breaker Box
When homeowners are remodeling or bringing in new appliances, they often increase the electrical demands on their systems. This is a common cause for tripping breakers and other issues.
An electrician can help you upgrade your home’s electrical system to handle your increasing power needs. This is a great way to keep your family safe, while saving money on electricity bills.
The breaker box serves as the hub of your home’s electrical system, and it distributes the electricity from your utility company’s meter to different circuits throughout your house. It also contains circuit breakers that can protect your home from any incoming surges.
If you are experiencing frequent tripped breakers, it may be time for an upgrade. These tripped circuits may be caused by frayed wires, too many devices plugged into one circuit, or other issues that aren’t obvious to the average homeowner.
Excessive Amp Load
The most common reason to upgrade your electrical system is when you’ve added appliances or power tools that require more electricity than the existing breaker box can handle. If the panel isn’t able to handle the extra load, the wiring and receptacles may be damaged or in danger of overheating and burning up, making it necessary to replace them.
An electrician can help you determine if your home has sufficient amp capacity and can help you choose the best size for new circuits and outlets. He can also help you determine the safest load on each circuit by mapping it and calculating its safe load rating.
This can help you avoid overloading a circuit by relocating plug-in appliances to lower-used areas of your home. It can also prevent occasional blackouts and help you save money on energy bills by using less-powerful devices.
Damaged Wires
If your home’s electrical system is overloaded, it might require professional attention. That’s when you should call an electrician to help upgrade your system.
Damaged wires can be dangerous, so you need to take action immediately. A faulty wire can be caused by age, heat, bending, and corrosion.
A damaged wire can also be the result of rodents chewing through it. It is important to inspect all of your wiring for signs of chewing.
Likewise, wires that are messy or discolored can be a fire and trip hazard. It’s also a sign that you need to repair or replace your wiring.
Another common wire problem is two or more wires pushed in the back of a switch or outlet. This is a code violation and can be a serious fire hazard.
Electrical Issues
If you’re looking to improve your home’s electrical system, you can get help from a professional electrician. They’ll be able to add more outlets and circuits as part of your remodeling, renovation, or new layout plans.
If a circuit breaker keeps popping or a light fixture is constantly flickering, it may be an issue with the breaker box. The circuit is likely overloaded or the wiring is loose.
Another issue that can cause your lights to dim or flicker is if the appliances you’re using are drawing too much power. “Appliances that heat or cool tend to use a lot of current,” says Burke.
These types of issues are a great reason to consider having an electrician upgrade your home’s electrical system. Getting more outlets and circuits will let you rearrange your furniture and move around appliances without worrying about overloading the system or causing a fire.