Improving your home's electrical system can seem daunting, but with some clever wiring hacks you can make significant upgrades without breaking the bank. As a homeowner, undertaking DIY electrical projects safely is crucial, but armed with the right knowledge and preparation you can drastically improve your home's electrical system on your own.
Researching and Understanding Your Home's Electrical System
Before making any changes, the first step is educating yourself on electrical systems. Understanding the components like the service panel, circuits, breakers and wiring will help you identify areas needing improvement.
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Inspect your service panel - Note the amperage rating, count the number of circuits and identify where each one runs to. Check for double tapping breakers, discoloration or rust which could indicate problems.
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Map your circuits - Note which rooms or outlets are on each circuit. This will help balance the load across circuits when adding lighting or appliances.
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Learn wiring colors and gauges - Deciphering electrical wiring colors and knowing the right gauges for circuits empowers you to work safely.
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Research codes - Electrical codes exist for safety. Review your local area's electrical code book to ensure any DIY projects comply.
Easy Improvements For Enhancing Electrical Circuits
Before taking on major rewiring projects, simpler upgrades can make a significant difference.
Upgrading Circuit Breakers
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AFCI breakers - Replacing older standard breakers with AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) breakers prevents fires from arcs and faulty wiring.
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GFCI breakers - Swapping breakers for GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) models adds protection from shocks in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
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Tandem breakers - Legal in some areas, tandem/twin breakers allow expanding circuits by using half-size breakers stacked vertically in one space.
Increasing Capacity
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Subpanel installation - A subpanel uses the main service panel to feed added circuits and boost available power in an area like the garage or kitchen.
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Whole house surge protector - Protecting electronics from surges with a surge protector at the main panel prevents damage during storms or grid fluctuations.
Optimizing Existing Circuits
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Consolidate circuits - Move nearby outlets and fixtures onto fewer circuits so each circuit powers fewer devices. This balances loads across circuits.
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Split overloaded circuits - Alternatively, move devices off an overloaded circuit onto a new dedicated circuit to spread demand.
Major Rewiring and Upgrades for Improved Safety
For an even greater improvement in electrical system safety and performance, consider taking on one of these more involved projects:
Upgrading the Service Panel
Replacing an outdated service panel provides:
- More circuits to reduce overloading
- Amps to meet increased electrical demand
- Safer breakers - AFCI and GFCI protection
- Elimination of unsafe Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels
This is a job for a licensed electrician, but pays off in safety.
Rewiring with New Copper Wiring
Copper wiring has advantages over aluminum:
- Lower risk of dangerous overheating
- Less chance of loose connections causing arcs
- Hold up better over time to avoid deterioration
Replacing old aluminum wiring or cloth-insulated wiring reduces fire risk significantly.
Installing a Standby Generator
For backup power during outages, a standby generator:
- Automatically supplies power to critical circuits
- Can be permanently installed and fueled by natural gas
- Allows safely running basic appliances like refrigerators, freezers and sump pumps to prevent food spoilage or flooding.
Getting an electrician to install a generator connection to your service panel provides vital backup.
Improving Safety With Smart Home Electrical Monitoring
New smart electrical monitoring technologies like Sense and Neurio give you insight into your home's electrical system through a monitoring device installed at the service panel. Benefits include:
- Identifying overloaded circuits before breakers trip
- Pinpointing circuits drawing excessive electricity to catch faulty wiring
- Discovering appliances that may be malfunctioning or inefficient
These devices enhance electrical safety and efficiency in your home.
With proper education and preparation, several DIY projects and professional upgrades can drastically improve your home's electrical system safety and performance. A well-planned combination of circuit consolidation, installing protective breakers, rewiring with copper, upgrading panels, and implementing monitoring solutions can transform your old, potentially hazardous electrical system into a new, gleaming source of power you can rely on. Your home and family will benefit from fewer interruptions, reduced fire risk, and increased energy efficiency.