Technology is transforming our lives. It seems like each day there is a better way to live our lives with technology. As a homeowner with an older home, you may think that incorporating some of these technological advances in your home is cost-prohibitive, but it’s not. The following are a few ways you can make your home smart, without it costing you and arm and a leg.

If you own an electric car, or you are considering getting Tesla’s new Model 3, we can help you install sockets that will allow you to charge your car faster since traditional outlets may take a little longer.

One of the best ways to deter vandals, miscreants, burglars etc from entering your residential premises, is to set up an efficient camera system. Of course many people also use their CCTV cameras for indoor surveillance in their home; to monitor their baby or even to keep an eye on domestic help. Regardless of the brand, if you are setting up a new security system, there is some basic planning you should be doing.

Some wireless CCTV cameras are basic plug and play ones, and you won’t have trouble setting them up yourself. However, if you have chosen the more complex and advanced systems, you would need a professional to handle the installation and set-up for you.

The company you choose for the job should be able to handle all the cabling and hardware installation. For advice or CCTV system installation services, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email.

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Older homes have their charm, but as anyone living in one can tell you, they also come with more than their fair share of issues. Building and electrical codes have changed dramatically over the years, and our everyday electrical demands have continued to skyrocket. At Kolb Electric, we don’t want to discourage anyone from living in the home of their dreams.  That said, we do want people to be safe, so if you currently live in or are thinking of moving into an older home, here are some things you should be on the lookout for.

Electrical wires can function for a long time, especially if they haven’t been damaged and if the insulation hasn’t become brittle and flaked off. Even knob and tube wiring, an old standard for wiring that hasn’t been used in years, can still keep the lights on. Age does catch up with wiring eventually, however, and if the insulation fails, by becoming abraded, being chewed, or any number of other reasons, a short or electrical arc could start a fire.

Older homes often have wires surrounded with a spiral metal jacket. Metal-clad wires are still used today, especially in areas where the wire is exposed to potential damage. Armor-clad wires are distinct and do not have a separate ground wire within the metal sleeve, instead using the sleeve itself as the ground. As a result, for fire safety reasons, armor-clad wires are often barred in new construction.

If you can see obvious signs of a problem, including scorch marks on terminals in switches and outlets, missing or damaged insulation or any other signs that look potentially dangerous, you should call Kolb Electric for home rewiring before you expose your home to a live wire.

Restoring old chimneys and relining flues are common expenses of owning an older home. Here’s what happened: as coal started to become readily available, existing homes were retrofitted with central heating systems. Nowadays, most coal-fired systems have been converted or updated for oil or gas, but many are still vented into unlined chimneys. Where chimney liners are present, they are usually made of terra cotta and can rapidly deteriorate with higher-combustion, energy-efficient heating equipment.

When evaluating a heating system, make sure you consider its age, type, condition, and efficiency. For example, an old cast iron boiler may last a century or more, but updating to a more modern system can reduce your future heating and maintenance costs.

Old plumbing systems are notorious for being a mish-mash of old and new materials, especially as additions are added to the home or kitchens and bathrooms are remodeled. Iron and lead piping can become clogged with corrosion and mineral deposits, and typically need to be updated in sections. Cast iron piping is even worse, and can corrode from the inside, becoming thin, pitted, and cracked. Horizontal sections are usually the first to go—especially if chemicals drain cleaners containing sulfuric acid have ever been used.  Unless the home has already had repiping done, you can almost guarantee you’ll need to do it yourself.

Unless your roof is under 80 years old and / or is made of slate, you can bet it’s probably not original to the home. There are numerous types of roofing materials, all with unique life expectancies and maintenance requirements. Many older homes have multiple additions with roofs of different ages and types, so like the plumbing system, individual sections may need to be replaced.

If you’re moving into an older home, make sure you have it inspected thoroughly beforehand to make sure it’s safe. And if you need electrical maintenance in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!