If you’re living in an older home in Northern Virginia, particularly one built in the 20th Century, there are likely some very substantial issues with its wiring. Home electrical wiring is a constantly evolving science, and things that seemed like a good idea 30+ years ago are now considered unsafe.
RD Matthews Electrical Contracting is one of the top electrical contractors in Northern VA, and we spend a lot of time dealing with wiring issues and other problems in older homes. So we want to discuss some of the most common issues. These are problems that absolutely need to be fixed through upgrades so that your home’s wiring remains safe.
You Need Northern Virginia Electrical Contractors When:
1 – You still have a fuse box
It’s been many years since residential homes had actual fuse boxes. Modern circuit breakers are much safer and more reliable. In particular, if your home is old enough to still use “Edison base” screw-in fuses, its wiring is dangerously out of date. Your circuit panel needs to be updated to meet modern standards.
2 – You have any of the following circuit panels
If your home includes electric panels made by Zinsco, Federal Pacific, I-T-E Pushmatic, or any GTE/Sylvania brand, they may need to be replaced! These panels were all recalled years ago for major safety defects. Continuing to use them could be a significant fire hazard.
3 – Your old electrical panel has a “split buss” design
Some older electrical panels lacked a single centralized main circuit breaker, and instead split incoming power across two different lines. This is both inefficient and obsolete, because such panels are easily overloaded. You should have a circuit panel with a main breaker rated for 150 – 200 Amps to keep up with modern power demands.
4 – Your breakers frequently trip
Any home will occasionally see its circuit breaker trip for one reason or another. However, this should only happen a handful of times per year, at most. If you find yourself constantly having to reset your circuit panel – especially when running high-draw appliances like a washer – that means your home’s power distribution isn’t keeping up with your demands. Besides being inconvenient, this means your power system is always near the proverbial red line, and that increases the chances of an electrical fire.
5 – You get flickering or brown-outs when running major appliances
This is basically the same as above. If you, for example, get brownouts whenever you turn on the washing machine, that means your power system can’t currently supply all the necessary electricity to your home. You’ll need Virginia electrical contractors to upgrade your circuit panel and/or wiring to handle your current needs.
6 – You have extension cords and power strips everywhere
Does it seem like you don’t have enough power outlets, and you’re relying on power strips to keep everything plugged in? There’s no mystery here – you don’t have enough power outlets. Overreliance on power strips is extremely dangerous, because they can easily overburden wall sockets, particularly older sockets. This is another major fire hazard.
The cost of hiring a contractor to install a few more sockets is worth it. This is compared to the risk of damaging your existing outlets or starting a fire.
7 – You only have two-prong outlets
For many years, three-pronged outlets – also called Ground Fault Circuit Interpreter (GFCI) outlets – have been standard. There’s a very compelling reason for that! They are much better at preventing power surges and protecting outlets. In addition, they reduce the chances of shocks when using an outlet.
In particular, if you’ve ever broken the third prong off a plug so that it fits into your two-prong outlets, it’s time to install new three-prong outlets instead.
8 – You’re considering buying a major household electrical appliance
Heavy-duty appliances such as refrigerators and HVAC systems draw a lot of power, and many of today’s models “expect” a home to have modern electrical safety features. Installing an appliance could easily be the proverbial last straw that causes your older electrical system to give up or start having major problems.
9 – You’re renovating a room
Are you, for example, considering finishing your basement and turning it into a residence or game room? Or perhaps converting a disused bedroom into a home office? This is another situation where upgrades can easily overload an older electrical system. We strongly recommend contacting a licensed Virginia electrical contractor before upgrading, so they can check the wiring and sockets. They’ll let you know if your home can handle the planned upgrades and offer upgrades to match if needed.
10 – You’re planning on buying an electric vehicle.
If you’re looking to buy an EV – and it’s an excellent time to do so – you should be aware of its power needs. In all likelihood, you’ll need to install a Level 2 charging station in your garage. This requires access to 220V on your home’s main line. This is NOT a job for amateurs! You’ll need a qualified electrician to handle the upgrade and ensure your power supply is sufficient to safely keep your EV charged up.
RD Matthews Electrical Contracting Is Here For You
We’re one of the top electrical contractors in northern Virginia, and we’ve served the community for many years. If you have an older home, please be aware that your electrical system is prone to problems. It’s worth investing in upgrades whenever you can afford them, to prevent major electrical issues or disastrous fires.
Please contact us if you have any questions or want a consultation.