Can you believe some Tennessee homes have been standing tall since the late 1700s? Whether you live in a historic home or have recently purchased a gem from the last century, your property might need a little electrical makeover to keep pace with our 21st-century lifestyle.

Whole-house rewiring is a process that updates the existing wiring system and takes into account all of a modern home’s electrical needs, from the smart fridge to the home theater and the ultra-comfy heating and cooling systems. The process is a bit of an investment, but it can save you time and money in the long run — not to mention increase the safety factor for your family (and that’s priceless!).

In this blog, we’ll explore all of these benefits so you can make an informed decision on whether or not to rewire your Tennessee home.

Benefits of rewiring an old house

Charming and unique as they may be, older homes often require more upkeep than modern ones. When it comes to updating the electrical system of your old home, here are some instant benefits you can look forward to:

Safety

We know you want the best for your family, and safety is the number one benefit of rewiring an old house. As electrical systems age, their capacity to handle large amounts of power decreases. This can lead to hazardous conditions, especially in older homes.

Rewiring an old house reduces the risk of fire, electric shock, and other damage caused by short circuits and power surges. By rewiring your home, you can eliminate these risks and make sure that your electrical system is safe and up to code.

Functionality

Have you ever wondered why your appliances malfunction or your lights flicker? These problems could stem from your home’s outdated wiring. If you want to improve your electrical system’s functionality and enjoy uninterrupted access to all your favorite devices, you should consider rewiring your entire home.

Rewiring can increase the capacity of your system and support a higher volume of appliances. It also ensures that you’ll have a consistent flow of power without any hiccups or brownouts.

Energy efficiency

Who doesn’t want to save money in this economy? Rewiring an old house can help you do just that! When your wiring system is up to date, you won’t have to worry about losing energy through inefficient pathways. This means that more power will get to where it needs to go, and you’ll end up paying less on your electricity bill each month.

On top of this, modern wiring solutions are often made from more energy-efficient materials, which can further reduce your electricity costs.

Resale value

Putting your home on the market this season? Rewiring your home is a surefire way to boost its resale value. Homebuyers generally prefer properties with up-to-date systems, as they know there won’t be any surprise repairs or issues down the line. It could even be a make-or-break factor when the home inspector shows up!

Even if you’re not selling anytime soon, investing in whole-house rewiring can save time and money on potential renovations and repairs in the future.

Signs you may need whole-house rewiring

We’re spending more time in our homes than ever before, and we’re relying on electricity more than ever. Home offices, virtual schooling, entertainment systems — all of these require a steady flow of power. And you may not even realize that your wiring system is struggling to handle the extra load.

Here are some signs to watch out for that may indicate you need to rewire your home:

Frequent circuit breaker trips

Blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers are a sign that your wiring system can’t handle the current running through it. If you’re constantly resetting circuit breakers or replacing fuses, it’s likely that your home needs to be rewired.

Flickering lights

Your home shouldn’t feel like a horror movie set — flickering lights could be an indication that your wiring system isn’t up to date. Usually, this kind of electrical issue is caused by overloaded outlets and outdated or damaged wires that can’t handle the current.

Sparks or burning smells

This is a huge red flag! Sparks and burning smells are clear signs that your wiring system isn’t safe. Contact a professional electrician immediately to inspect your home and identify the source of the problem. You never want to take risks when it comes to electric shock and fires.

Outlets and switches that feel warm

Just like sparks, warm outlets and switches are a huge cause for concern. If you notice that your wall outlets or light switches feel warm to the touch, it’s a good sign that they’re drawing too much current. This is dangerous and should be addressed immediately by an electrician.

Age of home

Electrical codes, construction standards, and safety regulations are constantly changing. That’s why even if your house was built as recently as the late 1990s, it may not be up to current electrical safety standards and could require rewiring or an electrical panel upgrade.

According to research by the National Fire Protection Association, homes built before 1980 are at a higher risk of electrical fires due to outdated electrical systems.

To give you a better understanding, here are some types of wiring used over the years and why they may be putting your home at risk:

• Knob-and-tube wiring was commonly used in homes built before the 1940s. It’s unsafe by modern electrical standards and lacks a ground wire. This can be a fire hazard, and insurance companies may refuse to cover homes with knob-and-tube wiring.
• Aluminum wiring was commonly used in homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. Although it’s a good conductor of electricity, it’s prone to overheating and can cause electrical fires.
• Copper wiring is the standard in electrical systems today. It’s safer, more durable, less prone to overheating, and more energy-efficient than alternatives of the past.

That’s why it’s important to consider a full electrical renovation if your home is from the 1980s or earlier to ensure the safety and functionality of your home’s electrical system.

The house rewiring process

For homeowners, any home improvement project is a big undertaking. And we’re sure your head is already spinning with questions…

Will it be messy and disruptive? How long will it take? Can I rewire my house without damaging the drywall?

These are all valid concerns, and we hear them often. But you may be surprised to learn that the rewiring process doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think. In fact, a well-executed rewiring project can be quick, clean, and efficient.

Here’s what you can expect from the electrical rewiring process:

Inspection

An electrician will come to your home and inspect your electrical system to determine the scope of the project. They’ll suss out any outdated or hazardous wiring or design flaws and give your electrical system an overall health check.

Planning

Once the inspection is complete, your electrician will draw up a plan for the rewiring process. This should include specifics about what needs to be done and any safety measures that need to be taken. The plan might also include new locations for outlets and switches or recommended upgrades to the electrical panel.

A good electrician will work with you to ensure the plan meets your needs and stays within your budget.

At this point in the process, they should also provide an estimated timeline for the project. The rewiring process can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the job.

Shutting off power

Safety first! Your electrician will turn off power to the areas of the house that they’ll be working on to prevent any accidents while they work. This means you won’t be able to use any electricity in those areas until the work is done.

Removal of old wiring

Out with the old, in with the new! Removing old wiring can be messy, especially if it’s hard to access (and most of it will be). But a skilled electrician can minimize damage and leave your home clean.

Removing old wiring isn’t as simple as yanking it out of the wall because it’s usually stapled to the framing during construction. To spare yourself from having to replace drywall, the exposed portions of old wires can be cut off, and the remaining wiring can be left in place for now. It can be pulled out through the crawl space or attic later.

Another clever trick for removal is to connect the new cable to the old one and pull out the old wiring, letting the new cable take its spot.

Installation of new wiring

Now that the old wiring is out, it’s time for the electrician to install the new wiring. They’ll pre-cut openings for each circuit’s electrical devices and drill a 3/4-inch hole in the top or bottom plate of the wall for the wire to feed through. It’s a two-person job, with one person feeding the wire through the crawl space while the other catches it.

Even if your house is built on a slab, they can still work their magic and run the wires horizontally through the walls to reach your receptacles.

Wired and worry-free!

After the wiring is installed, it’s time to connect the dots! Your electrician will expertly link your new wiring to your electrical panel and all your outlets and switches, then test everything for safety. They’ll make sure it’s all working correctly and up to code. Your home’s electrical system is now as safe as safe can be!

Other considerations when rewiring your home

When it comes to rewiring your home, it’s not just about swapping out old wires. Back in the day, 60-amp electric panels were considered top-of-the-line, but now they can’t keep up with our insatiable need for gadgets and gizmos.

Even if you replace all your wiring, you might still face electrical shorts and the hassle of resetting circuit breakers. So you’ll want to upgrade your 60-amp panel for the sake of modern convenience and to qualify for homeowner’s insurance.

For modern homes, the most common options are 100-amp, 150-amp, or 200-amp panels. If you have a cozy little place under 3,000 square feet and don’t plan to run electric heat or air conditioning, a 100-amp panel could be enough.

But if your home is bigger or is packed with power-hungry gadgets (like most homes today), a 200-amp panel will be a better investment. After all, you don’t want your TV to go on strike just because the air conditioner is running on a hot Tennessee day!

Don’t stop at just upgrading your electrical panel! Take your property to the next level by replacing old sockets, light fixtures, and switches too. Enjoy modern convenience, better safety, and a stylish update with:

• USB outlets to make charging devices easier
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) for your kitchen and bathrooms that automatically shuts off your outlets if it detects a current leak
• Tamper-proof receptacles for the little ones
• Dimmer switches to set the mood in your bedroom, living room, and dining area
• Energy-saving motion sensors that turn off lights when a room is vacant
• Surge protectors to protect your home during outages

If you’re reading this list and thinking about the price tag, you should know that there are several ways to make paying for electrical upgrades more affordable, such as financing, state-sponsored grants, tax credits, and rebates.

In fact, the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) offers qualified homeowners up to $2,500 for upgrading electrical wiring and $4,000 for breaker box upgrades. Tennessee residents can learn more about how these rebates work here. For general information about the HEEHRA rebates, click here.*

*Lee Company is not providing tax advice. The content on this webpage has been prepared for informational purposes only. You should consult a tax professional if you have questions regarding federal tax credits.

Choosing a professional electrician

Here in Tennessee, it’s mandatory that all electrical work be carried out by licensed and bonded electricians who are properly insured. Many states also require permits before the work begins and inspections at the end of the project. This varies based on your county and state, so it’s important to understand your local regulations and ensure any electrician you hire is certified and compliant with all laws.

Here are some mistakes to avoid when choosing an electrician for your home rewiring project.

When you hire a contractor of any kind, here are a few tips to help you pick the best person for the job:

1. Ask for Referrals: Ask friends and family members for referrals to electricians they have used and trust, or head to Google and read reviews for the electrical contractors you’re considering. Make sure they’ve got a rock-solid reputation!
2. Check Licenses and Insurance: The electrician you choose should be licensed and insured to perform electrical work in your state. You can verify a license by contacting your state licensing board.
3. Find the right skills: Look for an electrician with specific whole-house rewiring experience.
4. Get it in writing: Ask for a written estimate that includes the scope of the project, the cost of materials, and the cost of labor.
5. Guarantee: Look for an electrician who offers a guarantee on their work. This will give you peace of mind knowing that if there are any issues with the rewiring down the road, the electrician will have your back.

If you’re a homeowner in Tennessee, whole-house rewiring is an investment that can improve your home’s safety, functionality, energy efficiency, and value. So if you’ve spotted any of the red flags we’ve mentioned, it’s high time you give rewiring some serious thought.

The expert electricians at Lee Company are here to help

Lee Company can make an otherwise intimidating process simple and seamless for you! Our team of certified electricians is experienced in whole-house rewiring projects, so don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, provide an estimate, and help you determine the best solution for your home’s needs.