Upgrading your home’s electrical system is one of the best investments you can make to improve its value. Modern homes demand more electrical capacity than ever, making robust and reliable electrical systems a crucial selling point. Outdated wiring, insufficient amp service and aging electrical panels can significantly reduce your home’s market value. These issues also present serious safety concerns. Smart buyers carefully evaluate electrical systems during home inspections with the knowledge that inadequacies could mean costly upgrades down the line. Here is how to improve your home’s electrical system while adding to its value.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Modern electrical upgrades often start at a home’s main electrical panel. Aging components can limit a panel’s safety and functionality. Many older homes still use outdated 100-amp panels constructed with aluminum and steel components. Inferior materials tend to degrade over time and struggle to meet power demands in today’s households. Aging electrical panels frequently lack support for newer home technologies, such as smart systems. An old panel might show signs of wear, like corroded connections, warm cover plates, or frequent breaker trips.
Upgrading to at least a 200-amp panel with copper components delivers immediate benefits in both safety and capability. Copper’s superior conductivity allows for more efficient power distribution throughout your home. Copper materials also are more corrosion-resistant.
The right electrical upgrade provides the robust foundation needed to support modern appliances and technologies, too. Electric vehicle charging is a prime example. A modern 200-amp panel can easily accommodate a Level 2 EV charger, the established standard for at-home vehicle charging. Supporting a Level 2 EV charger requires a dedicated 40- to 50-amp circuit, a feature that isn’t common in many older electrical panels.
Adding amperage capacity to your electrical system should also reduce the risk of circuit breaker overloads. When too many devices draw power simultaneously on an outdated system, breakers trip repeatedly as a safety measure. A modern panel eliminates this frustration while improving energy efficiency through better power distribution. Adding dedicated circuits for specific uses also allows for proper power allocation to energy-intensive additions like workshop equipment, hot tubs or home theaters.
You should consider installing a new electrical panel that leaves some amperage overhead and circuit breaker slots for expansion. This will make the house more appealing to prospective buyers because they know they’ll have room for remodels, upgrades and additions.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters, Whole-Home Surge Protection and Rewiring
A properly grounded electrical system is essential for safety, directing dangerous excess current safely into the earth rather than through people or equipment. Modern homes should have ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, which can detect minute current variations and shut off power in milliseconds when they sense a potential shock hazard. GFCI outlets are particularly crucial in areas where electricity and water might meet, such as kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor spaces.
Whole-house surge protection adds another layer of safety. While small power strips offer minimal surge protection, a whole-house system at your electrical panel guards all circuits against damaging power spikes. These surges, whether from lightning strikes or utility grid fluctuations, can destroy expensive electronics and appliances in an instant.
Rewiring ensures your home’s electrical infrastructure can support modern safety features. You also can get rid of outdated wiring with aluminum conductors or ungrounded circuits. Not only do home inspectors and prospective buyers look for these problems, but insurers are much happier knowing a home’s wiring is modern and up to code.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters
Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) sound similar to GFCIs, but they serve a notably different safety role. AFCIs protect against one of the most dangerous electrical hazards in homes: arcing faults. An arc fault occurs when damaged or deteriorated wires create sparks between conductors, generating intense heat that can ignite nearby building materials. AFCI technology monitors electrical current patterns to detect worrisome fluctuations, immediately shutting off power before a fire can start.
AFCIs are especially valuable in locations with lots of connected items. Bedrooms need AFCIs because people regularly plug and unplug things like lamps and phone chargers. This loosens sockets and increases the risk of an arc fault. Similarly, you should consider AFCIs for circuits that support heavy-duty systems, such as laundry machines or an electric stove. You may want to add AFCI support in a hallway, especially if you have lots of fasteners like nails or screws in the walls. Such fasteners can accidentally penetrate wiring, potentially causing arcing.
Lighting Upgrades
Modern lighting upgrades transform the safety and style of your home while delivering significant energy savings. Replacing outdated incandescent fixtures with LED lighting systems creates brighter, more inviting spaces while using up to 75% less electricity. Efficient LED-based fixtures last years longer than traditional bulbs, reducing maintenance needs and replacement costs over time.
Smart switches and modern dimmer controls add convenience and sophistication to a home’s lighting system. Motion sensors can automatically illuminate walkways and outdoor areas for safety, while programmable controls let you adjust for perfect lighting for all occasions. Dimmer switches work seamlessly with LED bulbs to provide smooth and flicker-free light adjustment.
Lighting upgrades make particular sense in hard-to-reach fixtures and high-ceiling areas where bulb replacement is challenging. LED’s long service life means fewer trips up tall ladders. Additionally, many new LED fixtures integrate seamlessly with home automation systems, allowing voice control and smartphone apps to manage lighting throughout your home.
Generator
A whole-house generator represents the ultimate backup plan for your home’s electrical system. A generator automatically supplies power during outages that could otherwise lead to costly consequences. Unlike portable generators that power just a few circuits, whole-house systems seamlessly activate within seconds of a power failure. A generator keeps critical systems running without interruption.
Continuous power is essential for preventing frozen pipes, spoiled food and flooded basements when sump pumps lose power. They can keep heating systems working in blackouts during the worst of winter conditions, too. You also will appreciate a generator keeping the AC on if there’s ever an outage during a heatwave.
Modern generators integrate directly with your home’s electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. Automated switching eliminates the need for manual startup procedures or messing with cords to connect power. A generator can safely power everything from security systems and medical equipment to phones and TVs. The seamless switching prevents dangerous power gaps that could damage sensitive electronics or interrupt critical home functions, too.
Whole-house generators are typically run on natural gas or propane, providing days of continuous backup power without refueling concerns. Many models now include smart monitoring features that alert homeowners to maintenance needs and fuel levels. Some even support remote control. Regular maintenance costs are minimal.
Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has proudly served the Greater Cleveland Area since 1982. We provide numerous electrical services, including indoor and outdoor lighting, generator installation, and whole-home surge protection.
If you’re interested in improving the resale value of a home in the Greater Cleveland region, talk with Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric about electrical upgrades.
