Modern homes are jam-packed with devices and equipment that run all or most of the day – and that means your home’s electrical system is constantly working hard. If your home’s more than 20-years-old, a simple checkup on your electrical system is worth it to help you rest assured your power needs can be met safely and effectively.
Older homes can be underpowered
The first step is to make sure your panel can provide enough power, which is measured in amperes, or “amps.” The age of your home can be an important clue. The older your home, the more likely it is to have a smaller panel with less capacity to power your stuff.
- Houses built in the ‘40s and ‘50s had 60-amp service, which would be very low by today’s standards.
- In the ‘60s and ‘70s, 100-amp service became more common – better than earlier service, but still low by modern standards.
- In the ‘80’s, 200-amp became more common to accommodate the growing electrical demand of the various equipment in the home.
- Nowadays, homes are being built with 400- and even 600-amp service to accommodate the equipment and systems for everyday living.
More stuff increases demand
Home appliances and large equipment like air conditioners are typically the biggest power users in a house, which is why we recommend upgrading these systems if possible and maintaining them vigilantly.
While appliances have become more energy efficient, the electrical demand and the number of connected devices in our homes have exploded over the last generation.
Computers, mobile devices, smartphones, connected home technology, large televisions – all of these new technologies change the electrical dynamics of your home. And of course, let’s not forget blow dryers, curling irons and other things we plug in each day.
Fire safety is a top priority
Every year, fire departments across the country respond to nearly 48,000 residential fires involving electricity, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Reduce the potential for an electrical fire in your home by addressing what the U.S. Fire Administration says are the most common causes of home electrical fires.
1. Examine your switches and outlets
Improperly working outlets and switches can be a potential fire hazard. Contact a licensed electrician immediately if you find outlets or switches that are:
- Warm to the touch
- Discolored
- Buzzing or crackling
- Loose-fitting
2. Inspect your cords
Damaged cords can have exposed wires that are both a fire and shock hazard, and should be replaced immediately. Other electrical cord safety tips:
- Don’t run cords under carpet or rugs – it restricts natural air cooling
- Never remove the grounding plug for an appliance cord – appliances require the extra electrical load a three pronged outlet is designed to handle
- Never attach cords with nails or staples as they can pinch, cut or damage wire strands
3. Limit extensions to temporary use
Extension cords are designed for temporary use. Using them for permanent power may damage the cord and create a fire or shock hazard. If a plug’s too far, have a licensed electrician install new outlets or move the equipment closer to an existing, appropriate power source. Also: Don’t wrap up cords while they’re in use – it can increase overheating and fire potential.
4. Check your bulbs and fixtures
Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common cause of electrical fires. Install bulbs that are the correct wattage – otherwise, the bulb could overheat and create a fire hazard. If you’re unsure of the wattage, use bulbs of 60 watts or less. Be careful with lamps, too: Never place anything over lampshades because they can heat up and cause a fire.
5. Have a pro look at your wiring
Outdated wiring can result in electrical fire. Older homes may not have the wiring capacity to handle the increased demand from modern appliances, equipment and devices. Have the breaker box checked out too: Outdated breaker boxes could have worn connectors that do not work properly and that could cause the system to overload and start an electrical fire.
6. Keep track of tripped breakers
Breakers and fuses are safety devices that help prevent overloading your home’s electrical system and prevent fires. Frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses can indicate a serious condition that should be checked by a licensed electrician immediately.
7. Upgrade to arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs)
AFCIs are advanced circuit breakers that provide improved fire protection. Consider having a licensed electrician replace standard circuit breakers with AFCIs. If you already have them installed, verify they’re working by using the “TEST” button once a month. AFCIs can stop working without showing signs of failure, so regular testing is necessary.
Protect your family and property and reduce your risk of a fire by taking steps to protect your homes electrical system.
© 2016 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only. All recommendations are general guidelines and are not intended to be exhaustive or complete, nor are they designed to replace information or instructions from the manufacturer of your equipment. Contact your equipment service representative or manufacturer with specific questions.
All the Items are good for an Electrical Inspection any time for a home.The only thing I could add after 20 years or upon purchase of a home is to have a qualified Electrician check out the service equipment incoming power connections, from the service drop through the meter and to the distribution panel. Inspect for looseness of connections and evidence of connection heating. Another Item that rarely gets checked is the panel or meter base connection to the ground rod. Make certin this connection is tight and the connecting hardware is sound and in good condition.(Make certin when handeling the ground wire or rod the service power is dis- connected) this should only be done by a qualified Electrician or a Power Utility Company.
It would be smart to hire a professional to come and check up on all of your electrics. That way, you don’t run the risk of harming yourself if you try doing it by yourself. They are pro’s for a reason, so it would be smart to let them do the work!
Fantastic article for the homeowner to check up on their electrical work before it could turn into a big problem. Checking cords, switches and outlets is essential to a family’s safety.
I am from a smaller town that has a lot of history behind it with numerous older buildings. The downtown area has beautiful old homes and buildings that are still lived in and have businesses run in them too. Unfortunately this hits home a little bit because two of the buildings have both had fires cause by some sort of electrical issue. Definitely makes sense to have a checkup. I think it passes most peoples minds to have something like this done but just proves to be right seeing what has happened to the older businesses in my town. Nice article!
Fantastic article for the homeowner to check up on their electrical work before it could turn into a big problem. It would be smart to hire a professional to come and check up on all of your electrics too, it’s not a bad thing to do.
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Great article. As an electrician in South Florida I can’t tell you how important this is. Many of the people we deal with are condo dwellers or homeowners that are in the “graying” demographic. Many of the condos we service not only have older tenants, but are old building themselves. Not only is this a double whammy but many of the appliances, wiring, belongings and mentalities are older too. They don’t want to take the time to have safety inspections, replace equipment, update fire safety or complex wiring. It’s a recipe for disaster. Appreciate the article.
We wanna thank all the homeowners and condo associations who fail to heed this articles warnings and have to hire us to do all their re-painting after catastrophic fires and damage. It’s an endless flow of new customers down here.
Very useful article. It’s easy to assume after being in a home for so long that it’ll be working perfectly fine, just like it was when you first bought it, but that’s rarely the case with older homes and you’ve gotta stay on your toes. Thanks for the advice.
Thank you for sharing this, electrical systems are critical in the operations of any home or business. Having insecure electrical work can be both time consuming and costly. Getting the job done yourself would save time but it is wise to leave it up to the pros. Nice article!
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It’s been more than 20 years to my house and after reading this blog i think my house is in severe need of electricity checkup for the well being of all the family members. And its not just me if you’re also having the same condition then you must also get you electricity checkup done! Well written! They offer same information here Shv.co.nz, one must check them also.
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I have never owned a house before so I have no idea what can cause a fire. Thanks for explaining that improper outlets and switches are potential fire hazards. I’ll make sure that whatever house I want to move into is tested first.
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