Last week, a lady called me excited about her decision to undertake kitchen renovations with her husband. They believed kitchen renovations wouldn’t be too challenging after reading about it online and asked for a budget estimate. I explained that I needed more details before providing a cost estimate, starting with an overview of today’s electrical […]
Until the mid-1960s, residential electrical wiring did not include a ground wire as part of the set of conductors for new construction. This omission highlighted the importance of grounding in ensuring the safety and security of electrical systems. Even though this system was CSA-approved at the time, it was deemed a safety concern for the […]
In our industry, electrical services overcharges can be a major concern for customers. I recently had the opportunity to interview an employee from a competitor’s electrical company who was applying for a position with our company. During our conversation, he shared that employees at his current company are not paid hourly wages or salary. Instead, […]
We all know that aluminum electrical wiring in homes can lead to fires. Allow me to share a recent experience: I got a call from a Realtor who said her buyers were excited about this 1973 home. However, the home inspector discovered aluminum wiring in the electrical box. The homeowner reassured them, saying, “It’s okay, […]
Aluminum wiring was predominantly used in residential wiring between 1968 and 1975. This was particularly common in homes with unfinished basements where the main floor was wired with aluminum. As the homes were sold, owners eventually began developing the basements. They transitioned to the use of copper wiring. When you open an electric panel from […]
Home renovation season is upon us, and with the arrival of fall, thoughts turn to the impending cold weather and the projects ahead. Among the significant undertakings is often a basement development project. I’ve emphasized the importance of permits before, particularly Development permits, Building permits, and Electrical permits. To reiterate, in the province of Alberta, […]
Smoke alarms fall under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Building Code, playing a crucial role in our homes. When purchasing a home, you’ll likely encounter one of three types of smoke detectors. The first type, commonly found at big-box stores and lumber yards, is battery-powered and mounted on the ceiling. The second type is wired […]
Ungrounded circuits were prevalent until approximately 1964 when NMD-style wiring was introduced. This new wiring featured the addition of a 3rd bare ground conductor. Prior to this change, all electrical circuits in residential homes were ungrounded. Initially, 2-prong receptacles were employed because the 3rd opening in the receptacle was unnecessary. Individuals with older homes (pre-1964) […]
One of the most challenging aspects for a REALTOR is overcoming obstacles that deter potential buyers from submitting an offer on a property. The most recent hurdle is the upgrading of the electrical service. Questions about what a 100 amp residential service looks like are common concerns for residential clients. Also, they often ask whether […]
Understanding the significance of obtaining an electrical permit for all electrical work is crucial. This naturally involves the participation of City of Edmonton electrical inspectors and, in many cases, Epcor. When a client mentions a service upgrade or aluminum pigtailing in a home, your immediate action should be to request a copy of the electrical […]
