Knowing the state of your home’s wiring is crucial. Why? As homes age, rewiring becomes necessary. Consider this – U.S fire departments respond to around 24,200 residential building fires caused by electrical malfunctions each year, as per the U.S. Fire Administration’s 2021 data. These fires resulted in nearly 295 deaths, 900 injuries, and a whopping $1.2 billion in property loss.
With such alarming figures, it’s essential to take steps to prevent your home from becoming part of these statistics. Your home’s electrical system might need some repairs or complete updating. Yes, total electrical rewiring with a new panel can be a hefty expense, but it’s a small price to pay for the safety of your home and loved ones.
Rewiring a Home
Look Out for These Signs
Your electrical system usually gives warning signs when there might be issues. If you come across any of these signs, get an electrician to check your panels, outlets, breakers, and fixtures:
- Regular blown fuses or tripped breakers
- An over-amped or over-fused electrical panel
- Dimming or flickering lights indicating an overloaded circuit or loose connection
- Switch plates, cords, or plugs that are hot or discolored
- Light bulbs burning out frequently in a socket – the fixture might not be able to handle the bulb wattage
- Buzzing or sizzling sounds
- A burning smell
- Sparks or arcs from an outlet when you plug or unplug a cord
- Electrical shock when you touch or plug in a cord
- Loose outlets
- Cracked, cut, or broken insulation
When to Inspect Electrical Wiring
Even if you don’t see any warning signs of faulty wiring, it’s a good idea to have your home’s electrical system inspected from time to time. Electrical codes differ based on where you live, but there are common situations that call for an inspection by a professional:
- Your home is over 40 years old
- You’re using extension cords for power
- You’ve made major improvements to your home or added big new appliances that could put a strain on your current system
- Your home has ungrounded, two-prong outlets
- Your home has aluminum wiring instead of copper
What Does Rewiring a House Cost?
Rewiring a house can cost anywhere from $12,000 for a small home to $32,000 for a larger one. The cost can be influenced by factors like:
- If a permit and/or inspection is needed
- The size and age of the home
- Adding new electrical circuits, outlets, and switches
- Upgrading the electrical service panel
- If walls need to be opened to run wire or install new switches, outlets, and panels
