Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
You may love living in a vintage home, but it's inconvenient if the home's electrical system is old too. If your old house still has its original electrical panel, or if it's been decades since it was upgraded, it could be past the time an electrical panel replacement was done. Here are four reasons why.
1. An Old Panel Might Be A Fire Hazard
If your old electrical panel ever gets hot or smells like it's burning, call an electrician to check it right away. An old panel that's worn down, rusty, or leaky can be a danger to your home and family.
If your panel is too small for your needs, you may be in the habit of overloading it. If you flip breakers often, that's a sign the panel is shutting the breaker off for safety reasons. If the panel doesn't shut down for some reason, that could become a fire hazard too. At the very least, you should have the electrical panel inspected by an electrician so they can discuss whether it needs to be replaced yet.
2. You May Need A New Panel For More Power
If you get a new appliance such as a tankless water heater, you might need a new panel that can supply the power demand it has. A new panel might be needed for a hot tub, electric car charger, or even a modern dryer or kitchen appliance. An old panel usually doesn't provide as much power as new construction homes, so you may always run into the problem of low power until you get an electrical panel replacement.
3. You Need More Outlets And Dedicated Circuits
If your home doesn't have enough outlets, you probably rely on extension cords or power bars. These can lead to overloading circuits. Plus, large appliances, and even small kitchen appliances, sometimes need their own outlets. An older home probably doesn't have enough dedicated outlets to power your kitchen. A new electrical panel usually supplies more power and has more circuits. This allows the electrician to put in as many outlets and dedicated circuits as you need so your electrical system is safer to use and more convenient.
4. You're Planning A Home Renovation
Installing an electrical system is a lot of work. New circuits also require new wiring and outlets. The work is easier to do if the walls are open, which they might be when you're renovating. The electrician can work and not worry about having to open walls and causing damage if you'll be putting new walls up anyway. Installing new wiring doesn't have to be destructive and require a lot of repair work, but when you're renovating, it's a good time to make electrical upgrades.
Contact a local electrician to learn more about electrical panel replacement.