Is Home Rewiring Worth the Cost? Benefits & Signs You Need It

With whole-home rewiring, you can protect the safety of your home and occupants. While this solution isn’t right for everyone, it can be a good option for homes that have outdated or faulty wiring. At Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we can evaluate your existing electrical needs and help you determine if rewiring is necessary.

Why Rewiring Matters

Even with the best maintenance and high-quality installations, electrical systems can eventually start to wear down. Additionally, some homes have outdated wiring that wasn’t designed for today’s electrical needs. If your home’s wiring is under capacity, you’ll experience more frequent breaker tripping and overheating. Undercapacity wiring can cause melted wiring, a higher incidence of electrical arcing, and fires, so it needs to be dealt with promptly.

Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring

As a homeowner, it can be hard to tell when to rewire a house. Electrical systems operate in the background when they’re working properly, so it may not be obvious when they need to be updated. The following symptoms are signs that you need electrical rewiring or repairs.

Frequent Breaker Trips or Blown Fuses

Breaker panels and fuse boxes are designed to protect your home from sudden spikes in electricity. However, recurring tripped breakers and blown fuses are a sign that there is an underlying problem with your electrical system. A professional electrician can help you diagnose the cause and determine if rewiring is the solution you need.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

When you turn on a large appliance, your lights shouldn’t dim or flicker. Any dimming or flickering is an indication that your system is pulling more electricity than it’s made to handle. To avoid a fire or electrocution, it’s essential to update your electrical wiring and panels.

Burning Smell or Scorched Outlets

If you smell something burning, it is likely a sign that your electrical wiring is overheated. Similarly, scorched outlets or outlets that are warm to the touch may indicate that your electrical system is malfunctioning or past its capacity level.

Aluminum Wiring in Older Homes

Aluminum wiring poses a substantial risk of injury for homeowners. A home that has aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to have one or more outlets reach fire hazard connections. Basically, aluminum expands and contracts more than copper does under load temperature changes. Over time, these wires can become loose or exposed. When this happens, the wires can corrode and overheat.

If you have aluminum wiring, you may notice electric sparks or a hot outlet. You may also notice charred materials. Because of the major fire risk involved, it’s essential to rewire homes that have aluminum wiring.

Home Is 40+ Years Old

If your home is already 40 years old, it may be time to consider whole-home rewiring. Even the best electrical systems can eventually develop issues. Additionally, older homes were made for the appliances of yesteryear. They simply don’t have the capacity for today’s smartphones, gaming systems, and high-tech appliances.

Benefits of Rewiring Your Home

As a homeowner, there are a few important benefits to getting an electrical wiring replacement.

• Improved Safety and Fire Prevention: Faulty, old, or under-capacity wiring poses a significant fire risk for your family. Rewiring your home ensures that your electrical systems don’t overheat or cause sparks.
• Support for Modern Appliances: EV chargers and modern appliances need more electricity, so it’s essential to create a wiring system that matches this demand. Power surges and overheating can also damage your appliances, so upgraded wiring can prevent or delay appliance replacements.
• Increased Home Value: If your wiring is falling apart, it can impact your home’s value. Prospective buyers want to feel safe in their new home.
• Better Peace of Mind: By preventing fire hazards, you and your loved ones can enjoy better peace of mind.

How Much Does Home Rewiring Cost?

In the United States, the average cost of rewiring ranges between $603 and $2,592. However, it can easily cost up to $6,100 to fully rewire an older home. There are a few factors that can impact how much your project ends up costing.

• Panel Upgrades: If there are additional appliances and you need an increased capacity, you’ll likely need a panel upgrade. This can increase the overall cost of your project.
• Permitting: Your electrician will need to apply for a permit and pay permit fees. This expense can vary between different municipalities.
• Home Size: If you need to rewire a huge mansion, it will end up costing more than rewiring a small cabin.
• Age of Home: An older home is more likely to need full rewiring to replace aluminum wires or to meet today’s electrical demand.

While rewiring a home is a major investment, it is significantly cheaper than rebuilding your home after an electrical fire. Even if a fire never occurs, the damage to your appliances and electric devices can add up over time. As a result, rewiring is typically the cheapest, safest option for Redmond and Bend homeowners.

Is Rewiring Worth the Investment?

Is rewiring a house worth it? It all depends on the situation. You have to carefully look at the potential safety benefits and the increase in your home’s long-term value. If you have an older home, undercapacity electrical systems, or aluminum wiring, the added safety and cost savings will make rewiring a worthwhile investment.

Additionally, you should also consider the insurance implications. Many insurers offer discounts for improving your home’s safety. It can also directly affect the premium you pay each month and the extent of your coverage. For example, insurers may limit coverage for electrical-related disasters if you have old knob-and-tube wiring.

Why Hire a Licensed Electrician

If you are considering a wiring update, it’s essential to reach out to a professional electrician for rewiring in Bend, OR. Rewiring is complex and potentially dangerous, so it should be left to the experts.

• Code Compliance: Important electrical upgrades must be permitted before the work can be done. The city or county will also need to inspect the completed work, so it must be fully compliant.
• Long-Term Safety: DIY repairs increase the possibility of safety issues and pose a danger to your loved ones. 
• Peace of Mind: For all these reasons, getting professional repairs can help you and your family enjoy better peace of mind.

Professional Rewiring in Bend & Redmond, OR

At Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we are trusted experts at rewiring older homes in Redmond and Bend. We know the common electrical problems faced by residents and the best methods for helping. From same-day services to free estimates, we do everything we can to take the stress out of updating your home’s electrical systems.

Schedule your whole-home rewiring today!