Southern California is home to many beautiful older houses, but with age comes the potential for outdated electrical systems. Here at California AC & Heating, we know that while our local houses may not be as old as those on the East Coast, they still face some of the same risks that come from aging construction styles, subpar plumbing, and potentially dangerous wiring. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the types of outdated wiring that may be lurking in your home and how California AC & Heating can help bring your house into the modern era.

Outdated Wiring: A Silent Threat

If you reside in a Southern California house that’s more than 40 years old, there’s a chance that it may have outdated wiring. This can pose a risk to both your safety and your home’s overall functionality. We recommend reaching out to California AC & Heating, as our experienced technicians are specialists in updating older homes and can ensure that your house is up to code and safe for you and your family.

Types of Outdated Wiring You Might Have

While you won’t find the frighteningly unsafe knob-and-tube wiring in Southern California homes, there are still several other types of outdated wiring that may require an upgrade for the sake of safety and meeting the electrical demands of modern living. Some of these include:

  1. Aluminum Wiring: During the 1960s and ’70s, aluminum wiring was commonly used due to a copper shortage that led to a spike in copper wire prices. Although aluminum is an effective conductor of electricity, it’s more susceptible to corrosion and can become loose at connection points, increasing the risk of fire hazards. While not a code violation, upgrading your aluminum wiring is highly recommended. Our skilled electricians at California AC & Heating can add special nuts to connection points between aluminum and copper, preventing corrosion, and replace any corroded wires.
  2. Ungrounded Wiring: If your home’s outlets are predominantly two-pronged rather than three, it’s likely that your wiring is ungrounded. Simply using an adapter doesn’t solve this issue. A grounded electrical system directs excess electricity into the ground, protecting your home’s electrical infrastructure. California AC & Heating’s licensed electricians can ground your home and install new three-prong outlets to ensure a safer, more modern electrical system.
  3. Asbestos Insulation and Cloth-Covered Wires: Homes built in the 1960s may still have asbestos insulation and cloth-covered wiring. Asbestos poses a significant health risk and should be removed immediately. Cloth wiring, while an inexpensive alternative for insulating wires at the time, can become brittle and fall off over time. Rodents may also chew through it, posing an additional hazard. At California AC & Heating, we recommend a complete removal and replacement of cloth-covered wires to protect your home and family from potential dangers.

Call California AC & Heating for Your Electrical Upgrade Needs

Don’t leave your home’s safety and functionality to chance. If you suspect your Southern California home has outdated wiring, contact California AC & Heating to schedule an electrical inspection with our team of experienced older home specialists. We’ll assess your home’s electrical system and provide recommendations for upgrades to ensure your house is safe and equipped to handle the demands of modern living.

Call California AC & Heating today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward a safer, more efficient home.