Electrical System Maintenance Can Save Your Health and Home
The electrical wiring throughout your home is mostly out of sight and likely out of mind, even though you use it every day.
You flick a switch or plug into an outlet and expect immediate, safe results. When your electrical system works well, it runs appliances, lights your home, powers technology, and drives your HVAC equipment.
When it fails, the consequences can be disastrous.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, electrical fires damaged or destroyed 23,700 homes in the United States in 2023.
In addition to fires, electrical system failures can lead to serious injuries and deaths in the home. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says approximately 300 Americans are electrocuted in their homes each year, and thousands are shocked and burned.
The statistics underscore the importance of regular electrical inspections and maintenance in Bow, and surrounding communities. Experienced professionals, such as the licensed electricians at Triumph Home Services, can identify potential hazards and recommend upgrades or repairs to the electrical system in your home.
Bring Your Electrical System into the 21st Century
Our electricians suggest an inspection every three to five years, but your home’s age and the number of appliances you use also factor into the timeframe.
The ESFI says the electrical systems in homes built before 1980 should be examined for potential updates and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes.
Our professionals can determine if your electrical system is adequate for the array of appliances and technological devices you use at home.
Standards have evolved over the years as lifestyle, safety needs, and power demands have changed. If your home, for example, is equipped with polarized outlets—those simple wall sockets with two vertical slots—it is time for an upgrade.
At the minimum, you will want us to install grounded outlets, but the better option is ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets. They can detect changes in the electrical flow and break the circuit, cutting off the power to the outlet, if necessary.
GFCI outlets are required by law in areas where water is present, such as a kitchen or bathroom. They prevent shock and electrocution.
Electrical Outlet and Wiring Upgrades in Bow
Ask our electricians about tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs). These outlets have a covering that prevents children from jamming items into the socket. They are a great security measure for families with young children.
Additional upgrades you might consider include surge protection devices to guard your appliances against electrical surges, and adding arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to your service panel to prevent electrical fires.
During an inspection, our experts will check for frayed or damaged wires, and loose connections, to determine whether the wiring is adequate for your home.
Here is What You Can Do to Maintain Your Electrical System
Follow these steps to improve the electrical system in your home:
- Pay attention to your electrical system and recognize potential problems: circuit breakers that frequently trip, fuses that often blow, outlets and switches that feel warm or have scorch marks, and lights that flicker when an appliance, furnace, or air conditioner turns on.
- Test your GFCI outlets monthly.
- Use only bulbs with the recommended wattage for lighting fixtures.
- Use surge protectors.
- Schedule a maintenance inspection.
Upgrade Your Electrical System Today
Do not underestimate the importance of an electrical system inspection. Our licensed electricians at Triumph Home Services in Bow, can enhance your safety by upgrading your home’s outdated wiring, outlets, service panel, lighting fixtures, and more. For a free consultation, call us at 603-207-3212 or request service online.