Older homes are packed with charm. The high ceilings and spacious rooms set them apart from tiny, modern homes. While many homeowners want to preserve their home's historical charm, upgrades, including electrical services, are necessary. There are several reasons you should hire a lighting contractor.

Room Additions

Many older homes have had one or more additions. For example, homes over 100 years old likely did not have a laundry room built into them, according to Architectural Digest. Unfortunately, many homeowners don't upgrade the electrical system when they add more rooms to their home. According to Energy Bot, a 10,000-square-foot building will likely use more energy than one 1,000-square-foot, so you may need an upgraded electrical system.

Modern Appliances

Older homes weren't designed to handle the heavy energy loads of modern conveniences, such as air conditioning units and appliances that use a lot of energy, like deep freezers. You may notice that the breakers constantly flip if you plug in too many things in your home or you have to use power strips because there aren't enough outlets. These are surefire signs that you must hire a lighting contractor to update the electrical system.

Regulation Compliance

Most municipalities have codes regarding electrical wiring, lighting, and other safety measures. Outdated systems are more than likely not up to code because they haven't been updated in years. A lighting contractor can thoroughly examine whether your system needs updating to comply with local code regulations. This is often necessary for insurance purposes as well.

Prevent Electrical Fires

According to NFPA, electrical fires are responsible for thousands nationwide yearly, and you may become a part of this startling statistic. Outdated electrical systems often aren't up to code or as safe as they should be. Wires can spark and catch the house on fire while you're away. Using power strips in rooms because you don't have enough outlets can easily cause a problem. An outdated breaker box can also start a fire. Hiring a professional to update the system keeps your entire family safe.

Most people don't think about their electrical system until there's a problem, but it may be too late. Instead, invest in a professional to inspect the system in your older house to ensure everything is up-to-date. Contact our team at Surf Electrical Services to schedule an appointment today.