If you own an older home or plan on purchasing an older home, it cannot be understated how important an electrical inspection can be for your property. Not only do electrical inspections help ensure that a property is safe to live in, but they can also identify core issues that contribute to your electrical bill. The older a home, the more likely our system is damaged, has begun to deteriorate or is not up to the task of powering a more modern home. Here in the Greater Boston area, homeowners count on the team of electricians at Cardoso Electrical Services to help with electrical inspections and more.
Common Electrical Problems Found During Inspections
When getting a home inspection there are a few different common issues your electrician will look for including:
- Fuse Boxes Vs Circuit Breakers: Both a fuse box and a circuit breaker exist to control the amount of electricity that is used in your home. A fuse box does this by using a melting wire so that if the electricity is ever getting to unsafe levels the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. Comparatively a circuit breaker has switches that automatically switch off when electrical loads reach unsafe levels. Older homes use fuse boxes and are often replaced with circuit breakers as they are much more modernized and much easier to maintain for homeowners.
- Wiring Material: As the years have gone on the wiring material that is most recommended for homes has become copper wires. Aluminum wiring was popular in the 60s and 70s for being less expensive but it came with many safety issues. If your home is still using these wires they should be fully replaced.
- Breakers That Trip Constantly: If a home has a breaker that trips frequently this is a sign that your home’s electrical system is not equipped to handle a modern electrical load. Our homes are designed to handle what is modern at the time. Many older homes were not made with thoughts of high voltage appliances that we now have.
- Two-Prong vs Three-Pronged Outlets: A three pronged outlet allows you to ground anything that is plugged into the wall. This can prevent electrocution and other electrical safety issues especially in areas where the floor may be wet like a bathroom or kitchen. Not having these style outlets makes it impossible to plug-in modern electrical appliances.
Contact Cardoso Electrical Services For More Information
If you would like an electrical inspection or upgrades for your home in the Greater Boston area, please contact our team. We would be happy to set up an inspection or other electrical services.