Every year in the US, over 40,000 fires are caused by home electrical wiring problems. If more homes were to have a regular electrical inspection, that number could be greatly reduced. Electricians are trained to find electrical problems, even when everything is working fine at your home.
Safety isn’t the only reason to schedule an electrical inspection. There are other benefits.
Efficiency
Every time electrical inspection is an opportunity for a licensed expert to gauge the efficiency of your electrical system and suggest improvements. This could mean switching out outdated parts, or rewiring everything, or adjusting circuits based on your usage. The following are a few components now considered to be outdated, that an electrician may advise you to get rid of because they’re inefficient, more prone to malfunction, and require more repairs and maintenance.
- Aluminum wiring was common in the 1960s and 70s due to its low cost, but it’s more prone to overheating compared to copper wire.
- Knob and tube wiring was phased out in the 1960s because it can’t support modern appliances. It also is more prone to overheating compared to newer systems.
- Fuse boxes used to be the most common electrical setup but were replaced by circuit breakers. When a fuse experiences a surge, it will “blow,” meaning the wire inside is melted and the fuse needs to be thrown away and replaced, much like a light bulb. When a modern circuit is overloaded, the circuit is “tripped,” meaning it’s flipped into an off or disconnected state. To reset the circuit you just have to flip the circuit switch back into the active position.
Reduce Malfunctions
An inspection can help reduce malfunctions as well. Tell your electrician about any problems that you’ve experienced — circuit breaker keeps tripping, light bulbs keep flickering, etc. Many of these can be fixed pretty easily, and addressing some of these issues sooner rather than later can prevent serious damage to your electrical system as well as your appliances.
Keep up to Code
Another benefit of an electrical inspection is to make sure your home is up to code. In this case we’re referring mostly to the NEC – the National Electric Code. Your inspector can tell you if you can keep older electrical components or if you need to replace them with newer components such as arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) or ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs.) There may also be local codes that you need to conform to as well. Some local codes require occasional electrical inspections.
For all your electrical needs, call Hoover Electric. Established in 1980, Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has been serving customers in Southeast Michigan ever since, offering courteous, professional service. Because we offer all the services you need for residential maintenance under one roof, we’re able to offer extremely competitive pricing while maintaining great customer service and guaranteed satisfaction. When you’re looking for top-quality electrical, plumbing, heating, or cooling services in Clinton Township and Troy, MI, contact Hoover through our website or call 586-232-9204 today.
