If you own an older home in New Hampshire, upgrading your electrical system is one of the most important improvements you can make. Many historic and older homes in New Hampshire still rely on outdated wiring and components, as well as insufficient electrical panels that may not meet modern safety standards.
In this blog we’ll explore why electrical upgrades are necessary for your older home, go over common electrical issues in older homes, and discuss what you should consider when hiring an electrician in New Hampshire.
Why Should I Update the Electrical System in My Older Home?
New Hampshire is one of the oldest, most historic states in America, and so many homes in the Granite State were built decades, or even centuries ago. While the charm and character of these older homes is undeniable, their electrical systems may no longer be safe or efficient. Here’s why an upgrade is essential:
1. Outdated Wiring is a Fire Hazard
Older homes often have knob-and-tube wiring or cloth-covered wiring, both of which degrade over time. Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in New Hampshire, and so it is crucial to replace outdated systems with modern, grounded wiring.
2. Increased Electrical Demands
Homes built decades or centuries ago were not designed to handle today’s electrical loads. If your home has an older 60-amp or 100-amp panel, it may struggle to power modern appliances, HVAC systems, and smart home devices. Upgrading to a 200-amp electrical panel gives you the additional capacity and reliability you need to handle modern energy needs.
3. Insufficient Outlets and Overloaded Circuits
Many older homes lack enough outlets, and this often leads to overuse of extension cords and power strips. This in turn increases the risk of electrical fires. Modern upgrades ensure that your home has enough properly grounded outlets in every room, as well as GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements as required by the National Electrical Code.
4. Compliance with New Hampshire Building Codes
If you’re renovating or selling your home, it can be very important to ensure compliance with New Hampshire’s electrical codes. While you may not have to legally bring your older home up to code for a sale, chances are you’ll have more trouble getting lenders or insurance companies who will work with you.
What Are Some Signs That My New Hampshire Home Needs an Electrical Upgrade?
Not sure if your home’s electrical system is outdated? Here are some warning signs:
- Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
- Flickering or dimming lights when using appliances
- Burning smells or discolored outlets
- No GFCI outlets in wet areas (bathrooms, kitchens, garages)
- Two-prong outlets instead of three-prong grounded ones
- Extension cords used for permanent wiring solutions
- Odd quirks or other electrical “gremlins”
What Does the Upgrade Process Look Like?
Upgrading an old electrical system can be a complex, multi-step job. Here’s a step-by-step look at what’s involved:
1. Electrical Inspection & Permits
You’ll need a licensed New Hampshire electrician (like us) to assess your current system, identify any issues, and determine what upgrades are needed. Every home is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why getting an inspection done is a crucial first step. You’ll also need proper permits from your local building department before making any changes.
2. Electrical Panel Upgrade
If your home still has a fuse box or an undersized breaker panel, upgrading to a modern circuit breaker panel (like a 200-amp one) is essential. This ensures that your home can handle increased electrical loads safely.
3. Rewiring the Home
If your home still has knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, rewiring may be necessary because modern copper wiring is much safer and more efficient. This can be an invasive process depending on your home, but in many cases we can rewire your entire home without significant damage to the walls.
4. Adding GFCI & AFCI Protection
For improved safety, we’ll install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in wet areas and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in bedrooms and living spaces to prevent electrical fires.
5. Installing New Outlets & Light Fixtures
Finally, once we have a proper electrical panel and wiring in place, we’ll update your home’s outlets to ensure proper grounding. We can also install everything from USB outlets to smart switches to energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures to modernize your home and cut energy costs.
How Much Do Electrical Upgrades Cost?
The cost of updating an older home’s electrical system varies based on the extent of the upgrade. If you want exact pricing, reach out to us at (603) 270-9182 but here are some rough ballpark prices:
- Electrical Panel Upgrade (200-amp): $2,500 – $10,000
- Rewiring an Entire House: $8,000 – $15,000+
- GFCI Outlet Installation: $150 – $250 per outlet
- New Wiring for Additions/Renovations: $2,500 – $10,000
While these upgrades may seem pricey, they can be a great long-term investment adding significant value, safety, and efficiency to your home.
How Do I Choose the Right Electrician in New Hampshire?
When dealing with something as complex as electrical wiring, it is crucial to hire someone who is qualified and experienced to ensure your upgrade is done safely and up to code. Here’s what to look for:
- Are they licensed and insured? Always hire a New Hampshire electrician with proper licensing and insurance coverage.
- Do they have experience with older homes? Not all electricians have experience working with older wiring systems.
- Can they help with permitting and compliance? A reputable, experienced electrician can help handle all necessary permitting, inspections, and other paperwork required for the upgrade.
- Do they have local knowledge? You’ll want to choose an electrician who is familiar with New Hampshire’s building codes, as well as any potential weather-related electrical challenges.
At Live Free Heating Cooling Electric, our expert team checks all these boxes and more! We’re fully licensed and insured, locally owned and operated since 2014, and we have over 500 5-star reviews from happy customers on Google. We also handle electrical services and upgrades for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, residential, new construction, and renovation projects in New Hampshire.
If you’re considering an electrical upgrade for your older home, give us a call at (603) 270-9182 or fill out the form on our website to schedule your FREE estimate!