Remember your grandmother’s kitchen. She had a toaster, a percolating coffee pot, perhaps one of those new-fangled electric skillets. That was pretty much the extent of the electrical appliances just a few short decades ago. Now look around your kitchen. There’s a cappuccino maker, a bread machine, a tv, maybe a computer...and those are only the small appliances. Don’t forget about the dishwasher and the trash compactor. And don’t even get me started on the family room with the flat screen, the Wii system, the surround sound, VCRs, DVD players, specialty lighting, home security systems…the list goes on and on. Clearly, the electrical systems in today’s homes deal with tons more than the systems in older homes ever had to.

Older homes were built with a 60-amp electrical service. To be able to use all of the modern appliances we’ve added in the past few decades, most systems need to be upgraded to a service rated for 100 amps or more. If you’re not sure what your residence is rated, it’s easy to find out. Examine your breaker box. You should be able to find the size of your service and see the amp rating as well. If your home is rated for 60 amps or less, it may need to be upgraded. Most common electrical circuits are on a 120-volt line. Major appliances like dishwashers and electric clothes dryers require a 220-volt current. Do you have any open breaker slots in the primary panel? If you plan to add a 120-volt circuit, you will need a slot. You’ll need two slots for each 240-volt circuit.

Electrical upgrades are becoming more and more widespread these days. If you’re thinking about updating your home’s electrical system, it’s better to err on the side of more power due to the fact that in the future it certainly doesn’t seem like we’ll be including fewer electrical devices. Make sure you hire a skilled electrician and obtain all the essential inspections and paperwork. Electricity is nothing to play around with. If you don't go through the correct channels, you may have difficulty reselling your home or even worse, you could have a fire and your insurance company might refuse to pay for the damage.