Electrical System Maintenance Can Save Your Health and Home

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The electrical wiring in your Colorado home is mostly out of sight and likely out of mind, even though you use it every day. 

You flick a switch or plug into an outlet and expect immediate, safe results. When your electrical system works well, it runs appliances, lights your home, powers technology, and drives heating and cooling (HVAC) equipment. 

When it fails, the consequences can be disastrous.

Electrical fires damage or destroy 45,000 homes in the United States every year, and half of those fires involve faulty lighting or defective wiring, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, an organization within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In addition to fires, electrical system failures can lead to serious injuries and deaths in the home. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)  says approximately 300 Americans are electrocuted in the home each year and thousands are shocked and burned. 

The statistics underscore the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. Experienced professionals, such as the licensed electricians at Minuteman Heating and Cooling, can identify potential hazards and recommend upgrades or repairs to the electrical system in your Aurora home. 

Bring Your Electrical System into the 21st Century

Our electricians suggest an inspection every three to five years, but your homes age and the number of appliances you use also factor into the timeframe. ESFI says the electrical system in homes age 40 and older should be examined for potential updates and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes. Our professionals can determine if your electrical system is adequate for the array of appliances and technological devices you use at home.

Standards have evolved over the years as lifestyle, safety needs, and power demands have changed. If your home, for example, is equipped with polarized outlets – those simple wall sockets with two vertical slots – it is time for an upgrade. At the minimum, you will want us to install grounded outlets, but the better option is ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets. They can detect changes in the electrical flow and break the circuit, cutting off the power to the outlet, if necessary. GFCI outlets are a must in areas where water is present, such as a kitchen or bathroom. They prevent shock and electrocution.

Make Outlet, Wiring Improvements

Ask our electricians about tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs), which are outlets with a covering that prevents children from jamming items into the socket. They are great for families with young children.  

Additional upgrades to consider include the installation of surge protection devices to guard your appliances against electrical surges, and the addition of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to your service panel to prevent electrical fires. 

During an inspection, our experts will check for frayed or damaged wires, loose connections, and will determine whether the wiring is adequate for your home. 

Here is What You Can Do to Maintain Your Electrical System:

  1. Pay attention to your electrical system and recognize potential problems, such as circuit breakers that frequently trip, fuses that often blow, outlets and switches that feel warm or have scorch marks, and lights that flicker when an appliance, furnace, or air conditioner turns on. 
  2. Test your GFCI outlets monthly.
  3. Use only bulbs with the recommended wattage for lighting fixtures. 
  4. Use surge protectors.
  5. Schedule a maintenance inspection. 

Contact Us Today

Do not underestimate the importance of an electrical system inspection. The licensed electricians at Minuteman Heating and Cooling in Aurora, CO, can enhance your safety by upgrading your homes outdated wiring, outlets, service panel, lighting fixtures, and more. Call 303-400-0111 or request service online today. 

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