Residential Electrical Service Upgrades - Blue Collar Electric

Residential Electrical Service Upgrades

Does your electrical system require an upgrade? Even with energy-efficient lighting and energy-star appliances, homes today consume more energy than previous generations. Most older homes are not built to withstand the electrical demands of modern technology. The addition of computers, smart home automation, specialty appliance, holiday lighting, swimming pools, and specialty lighting, along with other electrical demands, has increased our electrical usage significantly.
In the 1950s, only 9% of most households owned a television, much less a 200-watt stereo system, big-screen TVs, high-speed computers, and other gadgets and appliances. Older homes often had 60-amp service installed. By the 1960s, that increased to 100-amp service. In the 1980s, the average service moved towards 200 amps, the average for most homes today.
Many older homes that have not been renovated may have aluminum wiring or knob and tube wiring. Both are potentially dangerous, but homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have “fire hazard conditions” than those with copper wiring. These older homes may not have grounded electrical systems (2 prong outlets). If not renovated, these homes won’t have added safety from ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the bathrooms, kitchens, garages, or outdoor outlets to prevent electrical shock or arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to prevent fires from shorts and electrical faults. Homes with fuse boxes also should plan to upgrade to a modern panel with circuit breakers.

Updates to Consider:

  • Add an Electric Panel – If you want to add to your home, you will need additional power.
  • Electric Panel Replacement – Homes with fuse boxes should eventually upgrade to breaker panels with GFCI and AFCI.
  • Garage or Basement Utility Circuit – Many people use tools for projects in these areas. They may also have an extra refrigerator or freezer.
  • Kitchen & Bathroom Circuits – The addition of GFCIs is essential for safety in these areas, including the garage or basement.
  • Outdoor Circuit – Improve your outdoor electrical safety with GFCIs.
  • Outlet Updates – 2-prong outlets are ungrounded and a safety concern. Also, outlets wear out over time and require replacement.
  • Wiring Replacement – This is an upgrade to consider if you have aluminum wiring or knob and tube wiring, or older wiring.

Whether you have an upcoming project, have electrical concerns, or live in an older home, we want to ensure you and your family are safe from electrical fires.  Call the professionals at Blue Collar Electric.

Why Blue Collar Electric?

We work hard to provide premiere electrical services at a reasonable price. You will find that our licensed electricians are among the most trusted professionals in the country. We take great pride in providing the best services at a fair price. We proudly serve Edmonton, Alberta, Montreal, Quebec, and the surrounding areas. 

 Please allow us the opportunity to earn your business. Contact us today for more information about our wide variety of services.