In Atlanta’s established neighborhoods, many homes built before the 1980s were wired for a different era—one with fewer appliances, no electric car chargers, and certainly no smart homes. Today’s demands—from dedicated home offices to powerful kitchen appliances—often exceed the capacity and safety limits of outdated systems.
A major renovation is the perfect, and often critical, time to prioritize Home Electrical Updates Atlanta requires. Ignoring outdated wiring or undersized electrical panels can lead to frequent tripped breakers, inconsistent power, and a significant fire risk.
At Varilko Remodeling, we ensure your electrical system is safe, code-compliant, and ready to handle your current and future lifestyle.
1. The Essential Upgrade: Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost Atlanta
The electrical panel, or service panel, is the heart of your home’s system. Many older Atlanta homes have 60-amp or 100-amp panels that simply cannot handle modern loads.
- The Necessity: A Home Electrical Updates Atlanta project involving a major kitchen remodel, a new electric vehicle (EV) charger, or a home addition almost always requires upgrading the main service. We typically recommend a 200-amp electrical panel upgrade to provide ample power and capacity for future needs.
- Cost Factor: The electrical panel upgrade cost Atlanta varies based on whether the incoming utility service line needs to be upgraded as well. We provide a full assessment during the consultation.
- The Benefits: A modern panel improves safety, provides dedicated circuits for heavy-use areas, and ensures your homeowner’s insurance policy remains valid.
2. Replacing Old Wiring: Safety First
If your home was built before the mid-1960s, you may have one of two dangerous wiring systems that must be replaced during a renovation.
- Knob and Tube Wiring: This system, used until the 1940s, lacks a grounding wire, making it unsafe for modern electronics. Furthermore, the insulation is often brittle and compromised. Consequently, most insurance companies mandate its removal.
- Note: The knob and tube wiring replacement cost is highest when walls and ceilings must be opened throughout the entire house.
- Aluminum Wiring: Used between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, aluminum wiring is prone to fire hazards due to the way it expands and contracts, causing loose connections at outlets and switches. Therefore, we replace it with safer copper wiring.
3. Mandatory Safety Requirements: GFCI and AFCI
Modern electrical codes mandate the use of two crucial types of breakers/outlets to prevent injury and fire. Home Electrical Updates Atlanta must include these elements.
- GFCI Protection (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): Required in areas where water and electricity may mix (bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages, and outdoors). GFCI outlets instantly shut off power if they detect a short or ground fault, preventing fatal shocks.
- AFCI Protection (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter): Required for most living areas (bedrooms, living rooms). AFCI breakers detect arcing caused by damaged wires or faulty connections before a fire can start. We ensure your renovation meets all current GFCI and AFCI requirements Atlanta code specifies.
4. Planning for the Future: Smart Homes and EV Charging
Today’s Home Electrical Updates Atlanta plans must look forward, not just fix the past.
- Smart Home Wiring: During rough-in, we run extra low-voltage data cables (Cat6) for reliable hard-wired connections to Wi-Fi access points, security cameras, and integrated audio systems.
- EV Charging: We pre-wire a dedicated 240-volt circuit to your garage or driveway. This makes it simple to install a Level 2 EV charger, a feature that is quickly becoming essential for resale value.
Ready to Power Your Modern Home?
Don’t let outdated wiring be the weak link in your renovation. Varilko Remodeling ensures your Home Electrical Updates Atlanta needs are met with professionalism, safety, and capacity for the future.
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