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If you’re on a mission to make your house more energy efficient, you may have considered upgrading your appliances or even replacing your windows and doors. But have you thought about how the condition of your electrical system affects your household energy efficiency?

At Harrison Electric, we know many people tend to overlook the central role that electrical components play in the overall energy consumption of the home. But we also know that just a few simple electrical upgrades can significantly improve household energy efficiency. So which components should you replace if you’re looking to reduce your energy costs? The experts at Harrison Electric have the details below.

Outdated Wiring

If you own a decades-old house and the electrical system hasn’t been updated in some time, there’s a good chance your home contains outdated wiring. And antiquated wiring won’t just make your home less energy efficient; it can put your safety at risk. So which types of wiring should you replace? They include:

●        Aluminum wiring

●        Knob & tube wiring

●        Copper-clad aluminum wiring

●        Tinned copper wire

●        Solid iron pipe wire

Because these types of wiring cannot hold or conduct current without deteriorating, they were banned from new construction many decades ago. Thankfully, they paved the way for the development of more efficient types of wiring that we see in modern construction. If you’ve been dealing with frequent outages, blown fuses, tripped circuits, or other electrical issues, have an electrician inspect your system to determine if rewiring will help.

Electrical Panel

Are you still using a fuse box? Or do you have a really old electrical panel? If your household energy efficiency is lower than you’d like, there’s a good chance your antiquated panel is a culprit.

As any electrical panel ages, it gradually loses its ability to control current, meaning it no longer operates efficiently. And if you’re still using a panel that was installed decades ago, there’s no question it’s wasting power.

To determine whether replacing fuses with circuit breakers or upgrading your old electrical panel will improve your energy consumption, you’ll need to consult a licensed electrician. An expert can identify red flags in your system and recommend the appropriate course of action to remedy any problems.

Wall Outlets

Any wall outlet will eventually wear out, and when it does, it not only becomes less energy efficient, but it also becomes a safety hazard. That’s why staying on top of wall outlet replacements is so important. Not sure whether your outlets are wearing out? Keep an eye out for the following red flags:

●        A loose connection when you insert a plug into the receptacle

●        Outlets that feel warm to the touch

●        Sparking with plug insertion

●        Intermittent power to plugged-in devices

In addition to replacing standard wall outlets, it’s a good idea to have an electrician perform outlet replacements if you lack GFCI outlets in the appropriate locations. Not only do GFCIs reduce the risk of electrical shock, but they also perform more efficiently than standard receptacles. 

Is your house due for a few electrical upgrades? Let our team at Harrison Electric handle them! Our licensed and insured electricians are experts in their field and have proudly served Twin Cities residents since 1985. To request a quote, schedule a service appointment, or learn more about our services, give us a call today at 763-544-3300 or contact us online.