Does My Older Building Need Electrical Updates?

John Turpin is our resident home service repair expert here at Service Direct. He’s got the knowledge and experience to help homeowners like you make sense of most home repair issues. And with Service Direct, we connect you with top-tier service professionals to help with any repairs needed.

Find Out If It’s Time to Update the Electrical System in Your Old Building

Has your electrical system been problematic these past few months? Don’t you think you’re due for electrical updates on your old building? Electrical problems are one of the main causes of fires in residential and commercial settings. But do you know that older homes or buildings are especially vulnerable due to old electrical wiring?

Now may be the time to update the electrical system in your house, especially if it’s old and has never been updated. The fact is that as technology advances, so do electrical codes and standards. If you live in an older building, it might not be up to code anymore and could be at a high risk for safety hazards.

Outdated electrical systems pose a safety risk and can result in inefficient energy use, causing higher utility bills. It makes it crucial to get electrical updates on your old building before it’s too late. On that note, this blog will help you understand the signs of electrical issues and the benefits that come with electrical updates for your older building.

Signs That You Need Electrical Updates on Your Old Building

How do you know updating old electrical wiring is needed? Well, you can take note of the following signs to see if it’s time to upgrade the electrical system in your old house.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

Electrical updates on old buildings might be necessary if your circuit breaker routinely trips. If it does, it’s a sign that you might have an overloaded electrical system that cannot handle the electrical load. This could be due to outdated wiring or electrical panels or insufficient electrical capacity for modern electrical demands.

Outdated Wiring

Many older homes have outdated wiring. They often have knob and tube wiring, which are a safety hazard and may not be able to handle modern electrical demands. Your home might have outdated wiring if the circuit breaker keeps tripping, you smell something burning, or the lights often flicker or dim. All these issues will be gone if you update your wiring.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

If you notice that your lights flicker or dim whenever you turn on other appliances or electronics, it could be a sign that your electrical system can’t handle the electrical load. It could be due to outdated wiring or electrical panels, which means you need to update your system to improve its electrical capacity. That way, it can handle more modern demands.

Sparks or Burning Smells

Another sign that electrical updates on an old building are necessary is when you notice sparks or a burning smell coming from your electrical system. This could mean you have overloaded circuits, outdated wiring, or other electrical problems, which are also reasons to call a licensed technician to update your electrical system.

Outdated Electrical Panel

One of the most obvious reasons to update your old building’s electrical system is outdated electrical panels. If they can’t handle the electrical demand of your building, you must update the electrical panels to improve safety and efficiency. You will know that the panel is outdated with signs, such as flickering lights and frequent circuit breaker trips.

Our resident home repair guru, John Turpin, discusses the signs of deteriorating electrical wiring in aging buildings as well as tips on safe remedies.

Switches and Panels Are Hot to Touch

Switches and electrical panels should feel warm when you touch them. If they are, it obviously indicates a problem with your electrical system. Some common reasons why switches and panels are hot to touch include overloading, loose or faulty wiring, or simply being worn out.

Building Renovations

If you are planning to renovate your building, then it’s important to ensure your electrical system can handle the additional load. You can ensure this by calling a qualified electrician to update the electrical system of your currently renovated home. It will help improve the building’s efficiency and safety and ensure it is up to code.

No Electrical Outlets

You will need electrical updates on an old building if your building doesn’t have electrical outlets, doesn’t have enough of them, or the outlets are installed in inconvenient locations. Your electrical system must meet modern electrical demands and current safety standards, which you can do by updating your electrical system.

Benefits of Updating the Electrical System of Older Homes

Even if you don’t see any of the signs mentioned above, although unlikely, it’s still a good idea to update your older home’s electrical system. Electrical updates on old buildings provide numerous benefits, such as:

Improved Safety

The electrical systems of older homes are likely outdated and don’t meet the current safety standards. They pose a risk of fire, electrical shock, and other safety hazards. Updating your older home’s electrical system improves its safety by ensuring it is up to code and can handle the electrical demands of modern fixtures and appliances.

Increased Efficiency

Older electrical systems aren’t as efficient as modern systems. This can result in higher energy bills, which any home can do without. You can lower energy bills by updating your electrical system with more energy-efficient wiring, lighting, and appliances. This improves the electrical system’s efficiency, reducing energy usage and saving money over time.

Enhanced Convenience

There are probably not enough electrical outlets in older homes, or these outlets are located in inconvenient places. Updating the electrical system will make your home more practical by installing additional outlets and relocating somewhere more convenient. It will make it easier to use modern appliances and electronics.

Home Value

Upgrading an older home’s electrical system is also a great way of boosting its home value, especially if you rent or sell it. Prospective tenants or buyers will be more attracted to a home with updated electrical systems, as it provides peace of mind. Moreover, it saves them from having to spend money on upgrades in the future.

Compliance with Building Codes

As mentioned before, older homes likely aren’t up to the current safety standards. They are probably not up to code, which makes updating the electrical system a must. It’s necessary if you want the building to be rented, sold, or insured. Outdated electrical systems may not meet current building codes, which can result in fines or penalties.

Hire a Local Electrician

Electrical updates on old buildings can improve safety, enhance convenience, increase efficiency and home value, as well as ensure compliance with building codes. If you have an older home or building, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician assess your electrical system to determine if updates or upgrades are needed. Call us when you’re ready to engage a local electrical expert. Alternatively, have someone get in touch with you by filling out the form on this page.