Do I Need to Upgrade My Electrical Outlets?

How long have you lived in your home? Years? Decades?

Now take a walk around your home and notice all of the things you’ve upgraded in that timeframe. You’ve swapped out the refrigerator a time or two. You’ve upgraded to a front load washer just a few years ago. New flooring? Of course.

What about your outlets?

We often dream of upgrading to newer technology, allowing us to work more efficiently and save time, energy, even water in the process. But somehow we forget to look beyond the appliances and think about what is supplying the energy. Yet this can be a dangerous mistake.

Is your home at risk?

Do you still have two-prong outlets in your home?

Today’s technology is wired with three-prong plugs, which makes it inconvenient if your outlets are still only two-prong outlets. They aren’t just a nuisance, they’re dangerous too. They increase the risk of shock to everything that uses it – you and your equipment. Three-prong are properly grounded and a must-have in your home, especially for sensitive electronics and technology.

When was your home built?

Here in Atlanta, there are many charming neighborhoods that are the “in” places to live. Not only do older homes have more character, but the landscaping gives the ambiance you’re looking for. Yet if the electrical systems in these homes haven’t been upgraded, you and your family are at risk. Do your lights flicker or dim? Do you notice sparks as you plug in? If your home runs on a 100-amp service, it’s time for an upgrade. Today’s standard is 200-amp in newly constructed homes.

GFCI – what’s that?

The national electrical code demands that GFCIs exist in all environments where water is a factor. That means all outlets in baths, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, utility rooms, unfinished basements, crawlspace, spas, pool, or outdoor outlets should all have GFCI outlets in place. Without it, you run a shock risk every time you use an outlet.

Have you fallen behind the times in the way your electricity is delivered to your home?

Ready to upgrade the electrical outlets in your home? Get in touch with the electricians at R.S. Andrews by contacting us online or calling (770) 913-6412 today!