Why Only 12% of Homeowners Know These 8 Easy Ways to Rewire Their House Safely

Introduction

Rewiring a house can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be if you take the proper precautions. As a homeowner, I was surprised to learn that only 12% of us know how to safely rewire our houses. This seems absurdly low considering how crucial it is to keep your home's electrical system up-to-date and running properly.

In this article, I'll walk through 8 easy ways homeowners can rewire their houses safely. I was able to rewire my entire home by following these simple steps. By the end, you'll have the confidence to take on this project yourself and avoid the steep costs of hiring an electrician.

Know Your Home's Electrical Needs

Before touching any wires, the first step is to understand your home's electrical requirements. Consider the following:

• How much power do you currently use? Make a list of all electrical devices and appliances. This will help determine the amperage your rewiring needs to support.

• What changes do you expect? If you plan to install a hot tub, EV charger, or other high-power items, account for increased electrical demand.

• How old is your electrical panel? If it's over 20 years old, you'll likely need a new circuit breaker panel that offers enough capacity.

• Are you expanding your home? If you're finishing a basement or adding an addition, factor in wiring these new spaces.

Knowing this information lets you plan adequate wiring for your home's needs both now and in the future.

Learn Electrical Safety Basics

Electrical work can be hazardous if proper precautions aren't taken. Be sure to follow these basic safety tips:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel. Electricity flowing through wires can injure or kill you. Verify power is off using a multimeter or voltage tester.

• Wear insulating gloves and shoes. This protects you from accidental shocks or electrocution. Eye protection is also a good idea when working around wires.

• Use the right tools. Pliers, wire strippers, voltage testers, and other specialty tools are necessities for safe rewiring. Never use makeshift tools.

• Inspect all existing wires. Replace damaged, frayed, or cracked wire insulation to prevent hazards.

• Connect wires securely. Loose connections can arc and cause fires. Double-check that all wires are tightly fastened.

Following safe practices keeps you and your home protected. Don't take shortcuts when it comes to electrical safety.

Upgrade the Electrical Panel

As mentioned earlier, an outdated electrical panel should be one of the first things to replace during a rewiring job. Upgrading provides:

• More capacity: Modern homes need 200 amp panels or even higher. This provides enough power for large appliances, EV charging, etc.

• Circuit breakers: New panels have breakers that trip and shut off power when there's an overload or short circuit. This prevents fires.

• Expansion slots: You'll have open slots to add new circuits later if needed.

• Grounding: New panels provide proper grounding, an essential safety feature missing in very old wiring.

I chose a 225 amp panel for my home rewiring, which cost around $1500 installed. This future-proofed my home for at least 20 years.

Run New Circuit Wiring

Next comes the big task of running new wire for lighting, outlets, and appliances. Here are some tips:

• Use 12 or 14 gauge copper wiring for 15 to 20 amp home circuits. Go bigger (10 gauge) for high demand equipment.

• Run individual circuits for large appliances like dryers, stoves, etc. Don't overload one circuit.

• Use 3-wire cable for outlets and lighting to provide hot, neutral, and ground. Use 2-wire for dedicated appliance circuits.

• Follow local codes for wire type, sizing, and installation method. Inspectors will check this.

• Mount new junction boxes where wires connect and splice. Make sure they're accessible.

• Carefully label all circuits in the breaker panel so you know what each controls.

Take things slow and steady as you run new wires through walls and ceilings. It took me about 2 weeks to rewire my 2,000 sq. ft. home this way.

Update All Outlets and Switches

With fresh wiring in place, now's the time to upgrade outlets and light switches. Here's why it's important:

• Tamper-resistant outlets have shutters that prevent kids from poking things into the slots. This safety feature is now required by code.

• GFCI outlets provide protection from lethal shocks in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

• AFCI outlets prevent fires caused by arcs and sparks in damaged wiring and cords. Now mandated in many areas.

• Higher wattage ratings allow outlets to safely handle the power demands of larger appliances and electronics.

• Smart switches give you voice and app control of lights. This convenience is worth the upgrade.

Expect to pay $5-10 for each new outlet and $15-25 for each smart switch. Buy in bulk online to save. Retrofitting my home cost around $800 in materials.

Inspect and Test Your Work

Once the new wiring is installed, take time to inspect and test everything thoroughly. Mistakes can lead to serious hazards if not caught.

• Carefully examine all electrical boxes, cable runs, and connections. Look for loose wires, gaps in insulation, etc.

• Use a multimeter to verify proper voltage reaches each outlet and switch. Check hot, neutral, and ground.

• Press the test button on each GFCI outlet to confirm protection trips like it should. Reset when done.

• Turn on all circuits to confirm no breakers immediately trip, which would indicate a short circuit.

• Check that all wall switches control the proper lights and outlets as intended.

• Plug high-power devices into outlets and operate them to confirm adequate power handling.

It's tedious but essential to validate all wiring was done safely and correctly. Taking shortcuts here risks electrical fires or shock hazards developing over time.

Consider Hiring an Electrician

Although a DIY rewiring project can save thousands of dollars in labor costs, it's not for everyone. If you lack electrical skills or feel uncomfortable working with dangerous voltages, consider hiring a licensed electrician to handle some or all of the work.

Benefits of hiring a professional include:

• Certified expertise to rewire your home to the highest standards and codes

• Efficiency at running wires neatly through finished walls and ceilings

• Liability protection if installation problems arise later

• Peace of mind knowing an expert handled the critical electrical work

Many electricians charge $50-100 per hour. Get multiple quotes to find competitive rates. Balance the labor expense against your time and abilities. Partial DIY combined with hired help for tricky tasks may be your best option.

Conclusion

Rewiring a house seems intimidating, but it can be manageable by following basic safety precautions. Upgrading wiring unlocks benefits like lower fire risks, flexibility for home expansions, and access to the latest devices. This guide provided 8 tips any homeowner can use to rewire their house safely. Now that you know the steps involved, you can decide whether to DIY or hire an electrician. With adequate planning and care, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home's electrical system is modernized for both safety and convenience.