A report by Collier Stevens highlights that around 20% of UK homes have outdated electrical systems. This is primarily in homes built before the 1980s. Other sources suggest that 20% of owner-occupied homes and 31% of rented properties were built prior to 1919 and could have electrical systems desperately in need of modernisation.
And if your home is running on outdated or older style electrical circuitry, then it might be putting your home and those who live there in danger.
But what are the signs? How can you tell if your electrics aren’t working well or moving with the demands of modern lifestyles? We have some things you need to pay attention to that could be warning you now is the time to get things checked out and upgraded.
Lights That Flicker or Dip When Appliances Start
You’re not looking for signs you’d recognise in a horror movie or thriller when the weather triggers flickering lights. And for the most part, you might not even notice. It’ll be small, quick flashes that probably leave you questioning if you’ve seen anything at all. But you’ll notice these signs if they occur frequently.
The reason this will be occurring is that the system will be pulling extra power as the appliances start, and it has to come from somewhere, usually the lighting. Older systems weren’t set up to handle high-demand modern items, meaning the power distribution is uneven, resulting in the momentary dip you experience. And while it might be brief, it’s a clear sign the system is working harder than it needs to be. Expert electricians can identify older systems and let you know exactly what needs to happen next to make your electrical system safe to use, as well as meet modern safety and regulation standards.
Plug Sockets That Feel Warm During Use
Your plug sockets shouldn’t feel warm when they’re on. And it won’t be an alarming level of heat being emitted; it’ll be warm to the touch.
The heat is generated via resistance in the wiring or connections behind the socket. And as connections loosen or degrade over time— something common in older properties — this will become more noticeable. And it doesn’t always mean the socket is overloaded, although this can be the case if it has extensions plugged into it. It’s simply the system being unable to cope, or it not being as efficient or stable as it once was or needs to be for your home.
Devices Charging Slower in Certain Rooms
You’re charging the same phone with the same charger in different rooms. One minute, you’re getting fast charging speeds in the living room, but once you retreat to the bedroom, things take so much longer. Or vice versa.
Again, this points to uneven power delivery across circuits. And for the most part, you likely won’t link it to the wiring, but it’s a sign that maybe the wiring is struggling to deliver the power efficiently to all parts of the house. Pay attention to where and when this happens to notice a pattern, and if there are any other signs present, it’s time to get that electrical upgrade booked in.
A Quiet Buzz From Sockets
This one can be really easy to miss. And you might even attribute the slight buzzing or humming to other things. But in the silence, it’ll be much more noticeable.
Take the time to walk past your sockets or light switches in every room when it’s quiet. When there’s minimal noise, see if they’re making any sounds.
Ideally, you will want to hear nothing. But if it’s a quiet buzz or hum emanating from those areas, it could be your electrical systems. They shouldn’t be making any noise, meaning if they are, it’s a cause for concern. It can be current irregularities or loose connections. And it can be easy to overlook due to missing the noise or thinking it’s not really that significant. But it is, and it needs investigating, especially if it’s in more than one location.
Rooms That Struggle With Modern Setups
Older homes weren’t set up to handle multiple devices or appliances at once. And if your home has an older electrical system, you’ll notice this more than other households.
These days, it’s not uncommon for one bedroom to have a TV in it, powering streaming equipment, i.e. a Sky Hub, to charging a mobile phone or two, powering lamps, fans, maybe even a desk set up too. And while this is fairly standard for modern lives, for older systems, it’s all the pressure it wasn’t intended for.
And when everything is pulling power, you might find things feel slower, less stable or inconsistent. And it’s not failure as such its strain. And over time, it’s unlikely to get better. It’ll just struggle more as the system ages, components deteriorate or demand increases.
A Faint Smell You Can’t Pinpoint
It won’t be a strong burning smell you notice, just gradual whiffs of something off every now and again. It might smell like something plasticky is burning, or something is burnt, but if it is coming from cooking, and you don’t have a firestarter in the house.
Maybe it could be down to a dust build-up somewhere warm, or a toy has been left too close to the fire or radiators, causing it. All possible sources. But if you can’t find the source, it might be your wiring or components overheating slightly under load. And you’ll likely notice it in the same place. And there’s likely going to be heat around too. So check outlets and switches, and place your hand against the walls where you know the wiring will be, and see if it feels warm to you. This will be your confirmation, and honestly, this is a task you need to tackle as an emergency, even if you’re not in immediate danger. Because left, over time, this will simply keep getting worse, and the consequences can be deadly.
Older electrical systems, to put it bluntly, cannot handle daily life in a modern world. And while complete instant failure won’t be something you notice or something that happens in one go, there will be signs your system is failing, and it’s time for a full electrical upgrade.
