Electrical Wiring Upgrades That Increase Home Value

Not all electrical systems are built the same, nor even designed to be identical. Optimizing your electrical wiring for your needs and preferences, and future expectations, is a great way to increase home value – and Mr. Electric is here to explain how.

Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

At the heart of the electrical system is the electrical panel safely routing electricity to the many electrical circuits running through your home. If there’s unusual electrical activity in a circuit, such as a power surge, the respective circuit breaker ‘trips off’ to cut power supply.

Older homes often have 100-amp panels that can't handle modern demands. Today's homes need 200-amp panels to power all our devices, appliances, and systems – but it’s not just about practicality. Outdated or undersized electrical panels pose higher safety and fire risks.

In fact, Home inspectors specifically look at electrical panels. An outdated or overloaded panel immediately raises concerns. Buyers might walk away or demand price reductions.

Whole-House Surge Protection

Power surges happen more often than you think, and electrical panels are built to cut off power when there’s unexpected electrical activity… but this wears the circuit breakers over time. Plus, basic systems will struggle against lightning strikes and utility issues.

Intense power surges can melt wiring insulation, fry motherboards and electronics, and ignite a building fire. Surge protectors redirect excess electricity to the ground. A whole-house surge protection installed at the electrical panel protects all electrical circuits from these power surges.

Dedicated Circuits for Major Appliances

You’ll find that power surges and overloading are two of the most common and serious issues. Upgrading the electrical panel supports capacity, surge protectors address excess current, and dedicated circuits help manage the demand.

Adding dedicated circuits for high-demand appliances like refrigerators, ovens, washers, dryers, and HVAC equipment will prevent appliances from competing for power. This, in turn, reduces wear on wiring and improves performance.

Properly distributed electrical loads mean more reliable performance and also lowers the chance of surprise breakdowns that lead to emergency electrical repair.

GFCI and AFCI Protection

These safety features are now require by code in new construction, but it’s worth mentioning that GFCI and AFCI outlets should be installed in wet areas and living spaces, respectively.

GFCI outlets are found in places like kitchens and bathrooms, and AFCI outlets where there’s increased risk of arc-faults (such as living rooms).

While replacing your outlets, remember to look into tamper-resistant, USB-integrated, and/or smart outlets for better safety, convenience, and comfort.

EV Charging Station Ready

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more common, and homes with EV chargers, or systems ready for EV charging, have a competitive advantage when it comes time to sell or rent out.

You don't necessarily need to install the actual charging station, but having the electrical capacity and a dedicated circuit ready shows that your home is prepared for the future and not stuck in the past.

Hire a Certified Electrician for the Job

Whether you need a simple repair or a complete overhaul of your electrical wiring, it is always advisable to hire certified and licensed professionals from a reputable company.

Mr. Electric is a licensed, insured, and established business with decades of industry experience, a uniformed and background-checked team, upfront pricing, workmanship guarantees, and a local electrician to dispatch to your location as soon as possible.