The world uses hundreds of trillions of kilowatts of electricity each year. In 2017, the United States alone generated around four trillion kilowatts of electricity. To feed America’s needs, the country has more than 20,000 electricity generators. Look at your own household. Everything is run by electricity-from your kitchen to your bedroom appliances to your electronic garage door. Now more than ever, you need to understand the importance of a home electrical system inspection. So, when is the best time to do this?
Plug sockets and cables
You Haven’t Had an Inspection in Years
When was the last time you called in the professionals to have a look at your electrical system? An emergency electrician should certainly be on speed dial for your Salt Lake City home. But there are maintenance requirements that, while not an emergency, must be looked into, as well. Do you still have records of the last electrical system inspection done at your home? You can avoid costly (and potentially dangerous) electrical problems down the road if you have regular inspections to troubleshoot and pinpoint determine possible issues. You can address these problems now and prevent further damage to the system.
You Have an Old Home
A real estate expert once said that at least one in every 40 to 50 homes in the United States needs an electrical system inspection. These older homes still use a type of wiring called knob-and-tube, which can cause a lot of complications in the long run. Electrical wiring has a certain lifespan. Standards have changed in the past years, and what was once state-of-the-art in its day is now outdated. Electrical switches, panels, and outlets must be changed from time to time. The wiring needs to be updated, too.
You Have Overloaded Power Outlets
If you’re using too many extension cords in your house, chances are that you have very few power outlets. Homeowners tend to overload their power outlets when they use multiple extension cords. Overloading outlets can cause fire to break out or damage the electrical wiring. This is a sign that you have to install more power outlets. A professional electrician can help you determine the areas of your house that need more outlets.
You See a Sudden Spike in Your Energy Bill
There’s no new appliance in your house. The energy company did not announce a price hike. You have no guests. Yet somehow, your energy bill has increased absurdly. There could be a problem with your electrical system. Some circuits might be inefficient. This problem does not go away on its own. You have to call a professional to fix the issue for you.
You Have Plans of Selling Your Home
So, you’re planning to sell your house. One of the things that potential homebuyers will look at very closely is the home inspection report. They might even call an inspector of their own to check the house. The electrical system is an important component of this report. Potential homebuyers don’t want to have to take care of electric problems in the house. They want to move in and not worry about anything major. For a quicker sale at the price you want, have those issues fixed before putting the house on the market.
Remember that only a licensed electrician and contractor should do these inspections. Make sure to check their permits, so you don’t get hoodwinked out of your hard-earned cash. The price of an inspection depends on a variety of factors, but you’ll be sure to get the kind of report-and the peace of mind-that you need.
