One project, homeowners dread is a renovation, the process of revamping and modernizing. As your home ages, the interior and exterior components break down. This is not to mention, the design becomes outdated over time. When it reaches this point, you will need to decide which approach to take. Should you make a few repairs and leave it at that or remodel your entire home, one room at a time? The decision will depend on several factors, including a budget, level of damage, size of the home, preferences, and strategy to bring the up to date.
A home renovation includes repairs and improvements of every system that makes up the home. It includes the electrical, doors & windows, gutter, sewage, HVAC, flooring, roofing, and plumbing. It also includes structural repairs and updates, such as walls, subflooring, and ceiling.
Homes Built In 1949 And Earlier
There is no doubt, homes built in the mid- and early-1900s have more hazard risks than homes built in the 2000s. Thanks to modern technologies and research, real estate developers have found new ways to extend the longevity of residential and commercial buildings.
Older homes may be installed with an outdated electrical system. Knob and tube and cloth-insulated wiring were utilized to deliver electricity into homes before 1960. When the cloth material, utilized to insulate cloth-covered electrical wiring, the wires become exposed to the elements. The slightest contact with insulation and other building materials will cause a spark, resulting in a fire.
Another type of electrical wiring utilized in homes during the 1960s and 1970s is aluminum wiring. The aluminum utilized in residential wiring applications was cost-efficient, which is its top-selling point. Unfortunately, the decision to utilize aluminum was not a good one. The decision resulted in thousands of house fires across the nation over a decade.
Outdated Electrical Systems Inefficient In Modern Times
Contrary to belief, tube and knob, aluminum, and cloth-covered electrical systems are inefficient when it comes to powering modern appliances, machinery, and electronic devices.
When two or more devices are connected to an outdated electrical system, there are bound to be power fluctuations. Power-hogging devices like dryers, stoves, microwaves, and desktop computers will zap up the electricity. When this happens, the power-hogging devices will utilize up most of the electricity, leaving little for the other connected devices to run on. In these situations, it is not unusual for there to be inefficient electricity to ensure maximum operation of all connected devices.
Overload Of Outdated Electrical Systems
The modern home can have up to 50 devices connected to its electrical system simultaneously. Electronic devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, stereo systems, and cellphones, large appliances (washers, dryers, and ranges), and small appliances (blenders, slow cookers, crockpots, and mixers) may be connected to the same electrical system. Updated electrical systems can evenly power all the connected devices at the same time. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said about the electrical system, utilizing knob and tube, aluminum, and cloth-insulated wiring.
Home Renovation And Remodeling FAQs
It depends on several factors, such as the year your home was built, electricity needs, and your renovation budget. If your home was built in or before 1950, the electrical system is probably outdated. If this is the case, the entire electrical system, including wiring, circuit breakers, breaker panels, light switches, receptacles or outlets, subpanels, and an electric meter should be replaced.
A residential electrical system should be overhauled when it begins to exhibit power fluctuations, shocks, flickering lights, and inefficient power.
A visual inspection of your electrical system will help make this determination. Every home has unique electricity needs. For example, one home needs adequate power for a network of smart home devices and continuous powering of electronic devices. Another home may only need enough electricity to power a window air condition, ceiling fan, TV, and small appliances.
Learn more about our electrical remodeling services. At Alpha Electrician Tacoma, we only hire licensed, trained, and experienced electricians. Our goal is to help the local community bring their electrical systems up to code. Contact us today to request your free inspection, with written quote.
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98516, 98499, 98498, 98493, 98497, 98492, 98481, 98477, 98467, 98471, 98466, 98465, 98460, 98464, 98455, 98450, 98446, 98447, 98445, 98443, 98444, 98442, 98439, 98433, 98438, 98431, 98430, 98424, 98422, 98421, 98418, 98416, 98415, 98413, 98412, 98411, 98409, 98408, 98407, 98406, 98405, 98404, 98403, 98402, 98401, 98395, 98394, 98390, 98388, 98387, 98375, 98374, 98373, 98372, 98371, 98360, 98359, 98354, 98352, 98351, 98349, 98335, 98333, 98332, 98329, 98327, 98322, 98303, 98198, 98188, 98166, 98148, 98093, 98092, 98089, 98071, 98070, 98064, 98063, 98047, 98054, 98035, 98032, 98030, 98031, 98023, 98003, 98013, 98002, 98001.
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