If you’re like most people in Sacramento who own a vintage home, you already know that older properties are often full of character and charm. However, one of the downsides of living in older home is that they come with outdated electrical systems that not only fail to meet the energy demands of the typical modern household but also fall short of current safety standards.
Calling on an electrician to upgrade your electrical system ensures the safety of your family, adds value to your property, and improves overall functionality. The following is a guide to the top electrical upgrades Sacramento residents who own older homes should consider.
Here’s a quick summary, read on for more!
- Older homes in Sacramento possess unique charm but often have outdated electrical systems that don’t meet modern safety standards or energy demands.
- Upgrading your electrical panel can prevent issues like tripped breakers and flickering lights, ensuring your system supports today’s appliances and electronics.
- Installing GFCI and AFCI outlets enhances safety by protecting against electrical shocks and detecting hazardous arcs, especially in areas prone to moisture.
- Rewiring with modern copper wiring reduces fire hazards associated with outdated knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, ensuring compliance with current codes.
- Adding dedicated circuits for major appliances prevents circuit overloads, promoting safe and efficient operation of devices like refrigerators and laundry machines.
- Integrating smart home features allows for convenient control of heating, cooling, lighting, and security systems, leading to energy savings and personalized comfort.
- Switching to LED lighting increases energy efficiency, reduces heat output, and lowers utility costs while minimizing fire risks.
- Installing whole-house surge protection safeguards your appliances and electronics from voltage spikes caused by events like lightning strikes.
- Upgrading your home’s grounding system provides a safe pathway for stray electricity, protecting against electrical shocks and appliance damage.
- Adding more outlets reduces reliance on extension cords and power strips, decreasing the risk of overloaded circuits and enhancing safety.
- Replacing old switches and fixtures with modern alternatives improves both the aesthetics and safety of your home.
- Upgrading HVAC wiring ensures your electrical system can handle the load of modern heating and cooling systems, essential for comfort during Sacramento’s hot summers.
- Scheduling regular electrical inspections and maintenance helps identify and address potential issues before they become major problems, ensuring ongoing safety and efficiency.
1. Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
A household’s electrical panel serves as the heart of the home’s electrical system. Signs that your panel needs an upgrade include frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights, rust or other types of visible damage on your breaker box, and persistent burning odors coming from the area.
Older panels can’t normally handle the energy needs of today’s families. Upgrading to a panel with higher amperage ensures that your system is up to the task of dealing with increased energy demands from modern appliances, HVAC systems, and electronics. To determine whether a panel upgrade should be in the cards, have your panel thoroughly inspected by a licensed electrician.
2. Install GFCI and AFCI Outlets
GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) and AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters) are necessary in order to meet 21st-century safety standards. GFCIs protect against electrical shocks by shutting off power if they detect a ground fault. They are required in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor living spaces.
AFCIs detect potentially hazardous arcs in wiring. Replacing existing outlets with GFCIs and AFCIs is a fairly simple and straightforward process that will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of your household’s electrical system.
3. Rewire for Modern Standards
The original wiring in vintage homes is usually knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum wiring, both of which pose fire hazards. Not only is old wiring probably not up to local codes, but it’s likely to struggle with modern energy needs. If your household wiring is 50 years old or more, consider upgrading to copper wiring, which is far safer and more efficient.
Although rewiring is a significant investment, you’ll secure the safety of your residence, save money on utility bills, and ensure that your home is up to code when you decide to put it on the market.
4. Add Dedicated Circuits for Major Appliances
Overloading your circuits can cause frequent breaker issues and present potential fire hazards. Adding dedicated circuits for major appliances such as refrigerators, laundry machines, and ranges helps keep these appliances operating safely and efficiently while saving you from the hassle of constantly dealing with tripped breakers.
5. Install Smart Home Features
For optimal convenience, functionality, and efficiency, consider modernizing your vintage home with smart technology. Smart home systems allow you to control heating, cooling, lighting, security, and even television and music from your smartphone or other voice-activated device.
These can be controlled when you aren’t even home, allowing you to save money on utility bills by automating routine tasks such as adjusting indoor temperatures and monitoring energy usage. As an added bonus, you can easily create a customized home environment with precise control of lighting and entertainment systems.
6. Upgrade Lighting to LED
One of the simplest ways to improve energy efficiency is making a switch to LED lighting. Not only do LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy than their traditional counterparts, but they also last substantially longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Additionally, they produce far less heat, minimizing fire risks and reducing the load on your household cooling system. An experienced electrician can replace your current lighting fixtures and ensure that your home has the proper wiring for LED compatibility.
7. Surge Protection Installation
The Sacramento area experiences occasional lightning events, which can cause power surges with the potential to damage your appliances and electronics. Installing a whole-house surge protector can safeguard your electrical system from sudden spikes in voltage and extend the overall life span of your devices. Surge protectors are typically installed directly into your existing electrical panel.
8. Upgrade Your Electrical Grounding System
Older homes often lack proper grounding, especially if they haven’t been upgraded since they were built. Upgrading your grounding system provides a safe pathway for stray electricity, protecting against electrical shocks and damage to your household appliances. A trained electrician will inspect your existing grounding system and make necessary improvements such as adding ground rods and upgrading frayed or otherwise substandard connections.
9. Add More Outlets
You’ve probably already noticed that vintage homes that haven’t had their electrical systems upgraded have a limited number of outlets — and perhaps you’re already using extension cords to make up for this. However, extension cords, as well as power strips, can lead to overloaded outlets, resulting in elevated fire risks. An electrician can install new outlets in highly-used areas of your home for added safety and convenience.
10. Replace Old Switches and Fixtures
Worn-out, outdated fixtures and switches detract from your home’s aesthetics and pose safety risks. Replacing them with modern, stylish alternatives improves the appearance, safety, and value of your property.
11. Upgrade HVAC Wiring
Sacramento summers are hot and dry, and most vintage homes were built before HVAC systems became standard. If you’re going to be adding an HVAC system to your older home, it’s important to update the wiring so that it can handle the additional load. An electrician can perform a professional assessment of the existing wiring and provide upgrades designed to meet the specifications of your new HVAC unit.
12. Schedule Regular Electrical Inspections and Maintenance
Regular inspections and routine maintenance help to ensure that your electrical system doesn’t present you with unpleasant surprises. By identifying emerging issues before they escalate to the point where they malfunction or create safety hazards, you’ll also save money on repair bills. Inspections are particularly important for those who have recently purchased an older home.
Contact Huft Home Services Today
Family-owned and -operated Huft Home Services was founded in 2004 by a lifelong resident of Sacramento with years of experience in the home services industry. Besides electrical services, we also offer a full range of plumbing options as well as HVAC repair, installation, and maintenance.
Contact us at Huft Home Services to obtain more information, request a free quote, or schedule an appointment.
