Are your home’s electrics up to the task of modern living?
Ensuring that you have a safe and efficient electrical system is essential for the modern home.
Over time, electrical wiring can deteriorate or become outdated. That means it is unequipped to handle the increasing demands of today’s appliances and devices.
So, how do you know if your electrics are at risk of giving up?
We’ve put together a list of key signs that indicate whether your home might require an electrical upgrade. Keep reading to see if your home needs rewiring.
Why Would You Rewire Your Home?
Rewiring your home isn’t just about keeping up with technology—it’s about ensuring safety. Old or faulty wiring can lead to a number of problems, including electrical fires, power outages, and damage to your appliances.
Obviously, this is not something you want to happen!
Removing the old wiring and rewiring your home with the right system to handle your electrical needs can minimise the risk to your family. Rewiring can improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce the risk of electrical hazards, and give you peace of mind.
So, how do you know if it’s time to rewire your home?
7 Signs Your Home Might Need Rewiring
- Blown Fuses
Is your circuit breaker constantly tripping, or do you find yourself replacing blown fuses all the time? This could be a sign that your home’s electrical system is struggling to handle the current load you are placing on it. Modern appliances require more power than their predecessors and older wiring may not be able to support that demand.
- Flickering Lights
Do your lights flicker or dim when you plug in certain appliances like your vacuum cleaner? That is often a sign that your electrical wiring is overloaded. It could also indicate your wiring has become worn or damaged over time and is no longer working efficiently.
- Discoloured Switches or Outlets
If your outlets or switches feel warm, vibrate while in use, or if they show discolouration or scorch marks, these are serious warning signs of electrical issues. This can indicate that your wiring is generating excessive heat, which is a fire hazard. If you notice these signs, it’s essential to have an electrician inspect your system immediately.
Likewise, if you hear buzzing, crackling or popping sounds from your outlets or switches, it’s time to get things checked. Electrical systems should operate silently, so if you are hearing any sounds from your wiring, it’s an indication that something is wrong.
- Building Age
The age of your home can be a big indicator on the wiring front. If your home was built over 30 years ago and hasn't been rewired since, there’s a good chance that your wiring could be out of date. That means the wiring could have been installed with materials that are no longer compliant with NZ electrical standards or are unlikely to handle the demands of modern electronics.
- Not Enough Plugs
In older homes, you might find that you have fewer powerpoints than you need. The common fix is to rely on plug spiders and extension cords. But, this can be risky as it may overload your circuits and create a safety threat. If you find yourself constantly searching for an available powerpoint or you are relying heavily on extension cords, it may be time to consider rewiring. That way an electrician can improve the electrical distribution around your home and ensure you have an electrical system that keeps up with your plugging-in demands!
- Old Switchboard
Your home’s switchboard is the hub that distributes electricity to different parts of your house. If this panel is outdated or constantly requires maintenance, it’s a sign that it is struggling to handle the demands of modern living. An outdated switchboard combined with aging wiring can increase the risk of power surges and electrical fires.
- Sparks or Shocks
Probably one of the biggest warning signs that something is wrong with your electrics is if you notice sparks or shocks occurring when you plug something in or when you touch a switch. This is an indicator that your wiring is faulty or is deteriorating and requires professional attention urgently.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore The Warning Signs
Sure, not being able to find a convenient powerpoint to charge your phone at might seem like a small thing, but ignoring the minor problems now can lead to more significant issues later on.
Modern appliances put a major strain on an outdated electrical system, creating energy inefficiencies and potential hazards. One of the biggest causes of house fires is faulty wiring, so you certainly want to avoid this major safety risk.
Having an electrician check your current wiring and provide expert recommendations could quite literally save your home in the long run.
The Benefits of Rewiring
Apart from preventing the most extreme of electrical issues, there are plenty of other benefits for rewiring your home:
- Better Safety: Rewiring will ensure your electrical system is safe and compliant with current safety standards, reducing the chance of shocks and other issues.
- More Energy Efficiency: The materials and techniques used for today’s wiring are designed to handle modern energy demands, ensuring the energy is distributed correctly throughout your home to enable your appliances to operate efficiently.
- Increased Capacity: When your home has been rewired, it can accommodate more power outlets, greater electrical load, and even smart home technology. This gives you flexibility to upgrade the electrical aspects of your home without worrying about overloading the system.
- Value-Add For Your Home: Not only will this make life more comfortable and improve the way you can use the electrics in your home, but it is also an attractive selling point to potential buyers if you were to sell in the future.
Time To Get The Job Done?
If you suspect that your home needs rewiring, now is the time to take action. And this is not a job you can learn to do on YouTube! In New Zealand, you have to be a qualified electrician to work with the wiring in a home.
So, get in touch with the expert team here at Retrolec. We specialise in residential electrical services, including rewiring projects of all sizes. Whether you need a partial upgrade or an entire overhaul of your electrical system, we can ensure your home is safe, efficient and ready to handle your family’s energy needs.
Chat with us today to get the process started. We can arrange a time to conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical system, identify any issues and recommend a rewiring solution that suits your needs and budget. Get in touch with us now.
