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New Year's Resolutions for Residential Electrical Systems Sunday, January 24th, 11:20 PM
Electricians in Lansing, MI, Share Best Practices for Electrical Systems in the New Year

East Lansing, United States - January 22, 2021 / The Meridian Company /

Include Your Home in Your Resolutions

The start of a new year is an excellent time to take stock and plan what people would like to accomplish in the upcoming year. During this time, many families will make budgets and plans to update their homes or renovate certain portions. A home is the most significant investment that most people will ever make, so it makes sense to keep it up to date and safe to maximize its value. 

One of the best ways to add value to a home is to keep the electrical system safe and updated. This ensures a good resale value, easy usage while homeowners occupy the house and safe operation for whoever lives in the home. When making plans for the year, homeowners should consider a few things. 

Update Old or Dangerous Wiring

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Wiring is the most common source of electrical problems and fires. As electricity flows through the wiring, it heats up slightly. When circuits get overloaded, this can become a chronic problem. After many years in service, wires used most often may benefit from replacement if it is noticed that the breaker trips often or sections of the wire get brittle. 

There are three mains styles of wiring that have been used in homes since the installation of electricity:

  • Knob and Tube: This was the first type of wiring used, and it is present in many homes still. It is highly recommended that this style of wiring be taken out of service and replaced. 
  • Aluminum: Aluminum was the material of choice for a while when the price of copper got high. Most aluminum wire is 50 years old at this point and is more subject to corrosion and becoming brittle. 
  • Copper: Copper is the most recent material of choice. Copper is highly conductive and reliable. Damaged wires should still be replaced immediately, but unless otherwise needed, copper wiring is desirable. 

Inspect Outlets

Electrical outlets are one of the most-used components of an electrical system. With continued use, they can begin to malfunction, so special care should be taken to ensure they are in good working order. When inspecting outlets or having them inspected, be sure that these outlets are included: 

  • GFCI outlets
  • AFCI outlets
  • Outdoor power sources
  • Indoor outlets
  • Specialty outlets-- like dryer or stove outlets

Outlets should be inspected for security, meaning they don’t move when plugs are inserted or removed. Outlets should be free of burn marks, burnt smells, and should hold plugs firmly. GFCI and AFCI outlets should be tested for proper function and repairs made for any problems found. 

Don’t Overload Circuitry 

Every homeowner should have at least a little familiarity with the load that different appliances place on an electrical circuit. To start, homeowners should know what breakers control what rooms and appliances around the home. The circuits that get overloaded the most often are to bathrooms and kitchens due to the higher power needs of appliances used there. 

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With a little electrical literacy, homeowners can determine how much to load a circuit. When they get overloaded, breakers trip or fuses burn out. Repeated overloading can damage the wiring and outlets. By keeping circuits underloaded, the risk of fires is reduced, and the inconvenience of resetting breakers is removed. 

About The Meridian Company

At the Meridian Company in Lansing, concerned professionals always answer the phone. Upfront pricing makes their service easy-to-understand before the job begins. Long-term service agreements from The Meridian Company help homeowners protect the work that they paid for. Give them a call for reliable electrical repairs and services in Lansing.

Contact Information:

The Meridian Company

1999 Saginaw Hwy
East Lansing, MI 48823
United States

Kurt Meridian
(517) 339-6300
https://www.themeridianadvantage.net/

Original Source: https://www.themeridianadvantage.net/press-releases

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