The importance of having an up-to-date electric system in your home
We rely on electricity to power nearly everything in our lives. If you’ve ever experienced a power outage, you understand how helpless we can feel when we don’t have access to electricity to power our lights, kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other home features.
Being without power is inconvenient, but having an improper electrical system can lead to potential hazards for your house and family. Older electrical panels are susceptible to overload. If your panel is out of code, there’s a good chance your home’s wiring is, too, increasing the risk of fire.
Electrical panels and writing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about home renovations, but keeping your electrical system up to date can protect you from electrical failures and ensuing disasters.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 13% of U.S. house fires from 2015 to 2019 resulted from an electrical failure or malfunction, causing $1.5 billion in direct property damage annually. Electrical failures and malfunctions also accounted for 12% of injuries and 15% of deaths from house fires during that period.
Inspect your electrical system to ensure it’s up to code and protected against unnecessary hazards. Here are some tell-tale signs you might need to upgrade your electrical panel:
• Your home is over 25 years old ?
• Warm to the touch ?
• Circuit breakers trip frequently ?
