Planning Your Home’s Electrical Upgrade
Today’s homeowners have much greater electrical requirements than homeowners of previous generations. Unfortunately, they may have older homes that have outdated electrical wiring that is incapable of powering today’s modern devices. Prior to hiring a licensed electrician for a wiring project, it would be wise to first spend time considering which rooms need improvements and what the scope of the work will be.
How to Plan an Electrical Upgrade
The addition of another outlet in a bathroom for a blow dryer should not present a big problem. However, an electrical wiring project of a considerable size will significantly increase the load of a home’s main electrical service. Experts estimate that in almost 25% of houses, an upgrade of the electrical service will be required to allow the installation of additional wiring.
The best approach is ensuring there will be adequate electrical power for both present and future requirements. During your consultation with a licensed electrician, consider not only what appliances and devices need power today, but also think about the numerous additions that may come in the future that will also need power. You need to also keep in mind any possible additions to your home, which will require additional power.
Getting Your Home to Standard
If you own an older home, performing an electrical upgrade may be required as a safety precaution. When its wires were installed during construction several decades ago, the electrical requirements of an average household were much less. Older homes were often service rated for 60 amps or even less. The standard now is 200 amps. In addition, older houses typically did not have their outlets grounded. They also do not have an adequate amount of outlets for powering devices that will meet the needs of a modern home.
Consequently, adapters for three-pronged devices, power strips, and extension cords are increasingly being used to compensate. Unfortunately, overuse and/or misuse of these can result in a deadly fire hazard. The addition of electrical outlets not only makes life more convenient, but it will also promote safety.
Electrical Peace of Mind
Providing professional electricians since 1988 in Maryland, Cook Electric is the company you can rely on for all your electrical service needs. For knowledgeable, fair, honest, reliable, and conscientious service, call Cook Electric today at (410) 266-9040. We will be very glad to help you. 0