When it comes to your home’s electrical system, safety should be the first priority. If you live in an older home, particularly one built during the 1960s and 1970s, chances are you have aluminum wiring, which was popular for its cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, it’s become clear over the years that the cost-effectiveness wasn’t exactly worth the risk, as aluminum wiring has several issues that can lead to major problems for your home. Here we’ll take a look at some of the dangers associated with aluminum wiring and why you should consider an upgrade to newer, safer alternatives.
A Fire Hazard Lurking In Your Walls
The real culprit is something called “aluminum wiring oxidation.” Basically, where the aluminum wiring connects to the terminals there is an increased risk of deterioration due to chemical reactions between the aluminum and other metals. This deterioration can cause overheating, sparking and in worst case scenarios, fires. As these fires would be starting within your walls, you’d likely not identify they were happening until they’d spread to the point where your entire home was at risk.
Aluminum Wires Have Poor Connectivity
When compared to copper wiring, aluminum has a higher resistance to electrical current. This can lead to overheating of electrical devices, voltage drop issues and several other problems that impact the efficiency of your home’s electrical system. You could experience flickering lights, tripped circuit breakers and appliances that don’t operate correctly or stop mid-cycle. Not only do you wind up with wasted energy (and higher power bills) but you also increase the chance of electrical shocks and fires.
Aluminum Expands & Contracts
Aluminum will expand when electrical currents cause it to heat up, and then contract when the power isn’t flowing. This repeated pattern of expansion and contraction can lead to loose connections, which in turn can create arcing, overheating and fire hazards. Those loosened connections can also increase electrical resistance, harming the reliability of your home’s electrical system.
The Modern World Is Too Advanced
At this point we all have dozens of electronic devices at home, and the reality is that aluminum wiring didn’t take into account our technological revolution. Because of this, it may not be compatible and, in fact, can cause damage to your laptops, televisions and game systems due to fluctuations in voltage. An upgrade to copper wiring helps to “future-proof” your home for whatever new technology comes down the pike.
Insurance & Home Selling Concerns
Having aluminum wiring in your home, along with the associated risks, means that insurance companies might charge you higher premiums to insure your home. Likewise, if you go to sell your home, you might find yourself having trouble attracting a buyer as your wiring could be flagged as a significant issue. These additional costs - both in real terms with the insurance and in future terms with the potential sale - could be mitigated with an upgrade.
An Upgrade To Copper Wiring Just Makes Sense
We pride ourselves on being a trustworthy electrical contractor that will always tell our customers how it is - and in this case, how it is means we implore you to get your aluminum wiring upgraded to copper. It’s a crucial step to ensuring the safety and reliability of your home’s electrical system. By addressing the issue now, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a modern electrical system. Be proactive - don’t wait until there’s a problem, as the problem could be devastating. Message us online or call us at (918) 972-0720 to schedule your upgrade today! We promise, it’s worth it.
