Over the past year, everyone has been spending more time at home. And while this has had some significant advantages, there have also been more than a few challenges. Going from a place you relax and get away from your daily life’s stresses and chaos to a place that you now work, homeschool, and relax can take a toll on you and your home. One of the most common issues that homeowners discovered was a lack of functionality in their home’s electrical system. Many have been wondering how to know when it is time to think about an electrical upgrade.
A Quick Visual Inspection
The best place to begin an evaluation of your home’s electrical system is at the electrical panel. You might also know this feature as the breaker box, but hopefully not the fuse box. This panel is where all of the electricity comes into your home and is distributed to the various rooms and appliances that require power. The power is broken down into circuits that serve the different parts of your home. And ideally, your home has a breaker system to regular the power.
The first indication that you need an electrical upgrade is if your home uses a fuse box system. These are very outdated and a sure sign that you need an upgrade to breakers and additional electrical service. And even if you do have a breaker box, that does not mean you are all set. Breakers have a life expectancy of around 10-15 years. After that, they are not as reliable. And when the device that is supposed to be protecting your home from electrical shorts and power surges begins to wear out, it is time for an upgrade.
Other Reasons To Upgrade
You might not think about how many electrical appliances and electronic devices reside in your home. But when you start to count, the number will skyrocket. If your home was built just 20-30 years ago, many of these electronics were not in existence. Three decades ago, you had one or maybe two televisions but no computers, monitors, home theater setups, or whole house sound systems. Then think of all the appliances that you have in your kitchen. Coffee makers, espresso machines, juicers, blenders, fryers, toaster ovens, and the list goes on and on. All of these added devices and electronics have increased the demand for electricity significantly.
Listen To Your Home
Even if you think that your electrical system is going a great job, your house could be telling you otherwise. Are you noticing breakers that are frequently tripping? Do lights dim when your air conditioner or washing machine turn on? Have you made peace with not using the microwave when the dishwasher is running? All of these are indications that your home does not have sufficient power.
The Smart And Safe Solution
After checking out a few YouTube videos, you might think that you are ready to tackle an electrical upgrade on your own. It seems like a great way to save a few bucks and get more power. But what the videos are leaving out is that it is also a great way to damage all electrical appliances and electronic devices in your home. And that is far less concerning than the life-threatening electrical shock or electrical fire that could be the result of a small mistake on your part. For a professional electrical upgrade at your home, call (703) 463-9866. The licensed electricians from Circuit Doctors will inspect your current setup and provide you with an estimate for a reliable and fully warrantied electrical upgrade.
