Do you know how old the electrical wiring is in your house? Aren’t sure if your electrical wiring is safe or needs to be replaced? Today’s homeowners demand much more electricity than previous generations for microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, dryers, hot water heaters, smartphones, TVs, and other technology. Fortunately, it is possible to update your electrical system so it can handle your energy needs.

Depending on your home’s electrical wiring, we may recommend a complete home rewire or just an update to your electrical panel. For example, you may just need another circuit and respective circuit breaker to handle the increased need for energy. In general if your home was built more than 40 years ago it is probably time to have an electrician take a look at your electrical system.

Burning Smell from Electrical Wiring

Never ignore a burning smell from your outlets as this can be a precursor to an electrical fire. You should call an electrician as soon as possible if you have a burning smell coming from an electrical outlet. Once you find the source of the smell, you’ll want to unplug anything in that outlet before turning off the breaker/circuit that supplies electricity to that room or area. Each breaker in your electrical panel should be labeled and clearly state which circuit it belongs to.

A burning smell can be caused by an overloaded circuit, old damaged electrical wiring, or an exposed wire. Any of these electrical issues would warrant calling an electrician right away. You should also call an electrician if you see an outlet cover is stained, hot to touch, popping, or sizzling.

Dimming or Flickering Lights

You could be time to consider rewiring an older home if you have dim or flickering lights. If you are experiencing dimming or flickering lights when you plug in or turn on an appliance, this can be a sign that the old electrical system in your home isn’t able to supply enough electricity to your appliances. Damaged or frayed electrical wiring can also cause lights to dim and increase the risk of an electrical fire.

Circuit Breakers Trip Repeatedly

A circuit breaker will trip if the demand for electricity exceeds what’s considered safe for your home’s electrical system. To stop electricity from reaching dangerous levels and possibly even starting a fire, the circuit breaker will trip and shut off the power. If your circuit breaker trips frequently this could is a sign of an underlying problem. You may have a circuit that is overloaded or it may even be time to consider replacing the wiring or panel in your home.

Experts you Can Trust

Price is important, but when choosing an electrician judge the entire picture an electrician is showing you character, expertise, the ease of working with him or her, and overall value. A large part of an electrician’s value is that he/she gets the job done right and safely without taking too much of your time and inconveniencing you. A very competent electrician can save you money by suggesting more efficient ways to do a job or to save on electricity. When you enjoy a good relationship with your electrician, it can save you both time and money. Give us a call about your next electrical project and we will be happy to help.