There are plenty of reasons you may find the need to upgrade the electrical wiring in your home.
Firstly, you’re likely to have a lot more electrical appliances around the property than previous generations did.
These all need somewhere to plug in. Then you’ve got the fact that your existing wiring may be old and outdated, not sufficient to power your modern gadgetry safely.
But before calling out an electrician, you should know not only which rooms you’d like to make amendments to, but also the kind of electrical work that is needed.
Planning your electrics
OK, so if you want to add an extra power outlet in your bathroom for a razor or electric toothbrush, it’s generally not going to be a big deal. However, er what needs to be considered is the load added to your electrical service. In fact, 25% of homes will need a service upgrade before additional wiring can be added.
What’s important is to ensure you have enough power not just for now, but for the future as well. Consider all the bits and bobs you’re likely to have later down the line. Take a look at the circuit breaker to see how much power your home is currently supplied with. Anything less than 60 a,mps, and you should consider an upgrade.
Get your home up to scratch.
If you live in an older home, then upgrading the electrics could well be a safety precaution. Of course, when the electrics of your home were first installed, the demand would have been much less than today’s needs. Perhaps you won’t have enough plug outlets. This would cause you to use adaptors and extension leads, which in their own right can be a fire hazard.
Other homeowners could have problems in the kitchen with their outlets not sized enough for dryers, refrigerators, and stoves that run on electricity.
Electrical Load Planning at a Glance
| Upgrade Area | Typical Reason for Upgrade | Recommended Action | Power Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | Adding shaver/electric toothbrush sockets | Add an outlet with proper RCD protection | Minimal but must be safe |
| Kitchen | More appliances like a fridge, a stove, dryer | Install additional circuits or dedicated lines | High load |
| Living Room | TV, entertainment units, gaming consoles | Add extra outlets, surge protection | Medium to high load |
| Outdoor Areas | Garden lighting, security, patio heaters | Install weatherproof sockets and RCD | Variable load |
| Whole House | Outdated wiring or insufficient amps | Upgrade service panel (100 amps or more) | Major upgrade — electrician needed |
Hiring an electrician
Do you think of yourself as a bit of a handyman and fancy your skills to complete electrical jobs around the home?
Think again. Even if you have some knowledge in the area, it’s a matter of important to always use a qualified electrician for jobs around the home. And on top of this, ensure the electrician you pick is Part P registered. This means they have the full set of skills and expertise to complete the work you require.
Of course, never take the first quote that comes your way either. It’s always recommended for homeowners to receive multiple quotations from a variety of companies to ensure getting the best deal, rather than paying over the odds.