Should you replace aluminum wiring in your home?
If your house uses aluminum wiring, you may have safety hazards lurking. Fires, shorts, and other problems can come at any time, and leave you scrambling. The older, less efficient wiring used in older homes creates problems over time. Meanwhile, you are likely paying higher electric bills.
Before you see a problem emerge, you should have your wiring checked by an expert. Even if you aren’t seeing electrical issues, you should act to protect your family and your wallet. Here are five good reasons to look to replace your aluminum wiring today.
1. Avoid Potential Fire Hazards From Aluminum Wiring
According to the National Fire Protection Association , 19% of deaths in home structure fires come from faulty wiring. Because older homes primarily used aluminum rather than copper wiring, they come with particular dangers. The wiring tends to fray or pulls apart over time. This can create overheating, sparks or fires.
2. Get Better Insurance Coverage
Today, many insurance companies will either refuse to insure or charge sky-high premiums for your structural coverage. They recognize the likelihood of problems in a house that is not up to code. You need coverage against hazards that might arise. Replacing your aluminum wiring comes with an up-front cost, but can save you a fortune down the road.
3. Avoid Common Electrical Problems
Often, you will see signs of wiring problems. In addition, you may experience the following:
- flickering lights
- warm switch plates
- burning smells
- frequent blown fuses
- tripped circuit breakers
If you see any of these signs, it is a good idea to get an inspection. A light shorting out when you are on the stairs or a refrigerator shutting down in the summer can hit hard. It is both better and cheaper to catch a potential problem than to deal with a current one!
4. Save On Utility Bills
There are reasons copper wiring is the new standard. Copper conducts heat better and lasts longer. It allows you to use less electricity in your home every day. The more up to date your wiring, the safer and less expensive it will be for you to live there every day.
5. Do Your Part For The World
When you replace your aluminum wiring, you also use less energy over time. This decreases waste and conserves resources. Your old wiring forces you to use more and get less for doing so. The waste adds up over time with every house using aluminum in its wiring system.
You Need To Consult The Experts
For many reasons, you need to look at the wiring in your home. Older homes are particularly vulnerable to problems, but any house with improper wiring becomes a ticking time bomb. You can wait for something to go wrong, but the longer you wait, the harder the fix becomes. With time, the hit on your wallet will only grow.
Of course, the only thing worse than waiting is attempting to fix the wiring yourself. You need experienced, professional help. In the Phoenix area, your best electrician partner is 24/7 Local Electrician. We will inspect your home and take care of all of your electrical needs. Contact us today to protect your house, your family, and your wallet from the dangers of aluminum wiring.
