Electricity is one of the most used utilities in your home. Think about it, without electricity you wouldn’t be able to binge watch your favourite Netflix shows, wake up to your much needed Nespresso coffee in the morning or even read this blog that we’ve written. Electrical systems in our homes need to be in perfect working condition and maintained properly, thus periodically we need to have electrical inspections. 

What is an Electrical Inspection for Your Home?

An electrical inspection takes into account everything in your home’s electrical system and evaluates if it is safely functioning and meets the requirements of your home. 

Everything from the wiring, wires, electrical panel, appliances, lights, HVAC units, circuit breakers, switches and more are all put under the microscope to ensure they are functioning properly and safely. 

A licensed electrician will produce an in-depth report and checklist of the electrical components that were looked at and provide recommendations for any updates needed if their working condition is not ideal or safe. 

When should you do an Electrical Inspection? 

We recommend electrical inspections for the following scenarios:

  • You are moving into a new home
  • You are moving into a newly built home
  • Your home has just had major renovations or additions 
  • You haven’t had one done in the last 3-5 years 

If you are contemplating whether or not you need to call a licensed electrician for a periodic home inspection there are some scenarios when you can take a look yourself to start with. 

What can you do to see if you require a period electrical inspection? 

The first thing you can do is take a look at your electrical panel. Does it use breakers or round fuses? If you have round fuses, call a licensed electrician to come in and update your panel with circuit breakers. This is also a sign of an outdated electrical system, so you should have a full electrical home inspection. If you notice any residue or smoke stains on your panel call a licensed electrician right away for an electrical inspection. 

The next thing you can do is take a look at your wiring. What type of wiring is used in your home? If you live in an older home you may have outdated wiring (knob and tube). If it is outdated wiring you should have a licensed electrician perform an electrical inspection and replace your wiring.  

Another thing you can do is to take a look at all of the outlets in your home. Are they all secure to the walls? Do you hear a humming or any other noise coming from any of them? Are there any stains on the outlet plates, or evidence of smoke? If you answer yes to any of these questions call a licensed electrician to come perform an electrical inspection of your home.

What will you get out of an Electrical Inspection? 

You will have comfort in knowing that your home’s electrical systems and components are all safe, and that your assets and family will be safe in your home as well.

You will be able to rest easy that your wiring is done correctly and to code, any mistakes from previous homeowners will be adjusted, electrical technology is up to date and performing, nothing is posing a risk of an electrical fire, energy efficiency, and more.