What’s The Deal With Aluminum?
In Ontario there are two types of wiring found in homes… Copper or Aluminum
Neither is right or wrong, but there is a stigma that is attached to Aluminum wiring. Keep reading for some tidbits that will help you better understand Aluminum wiring & what all the fuss is about.
Does this home have Aluminum wiring?
I get asked this all the time… It’s a very valid question but having aluminum wiring can be perfectly safe.
If the home you are looking at or are living in was built between 1964 – 1979 there is a very real chance that your home does in fact have aluminum wiring. It was primarily introduced into new builds as the cost of copper wiring was very high at the time.
But is aluminum wiring safe?
Yes. When installed correctly & when any changes to lights or outlets are installed correctly, aluminum wiring is perfectly safe.
So why is there concern when it comes to aluminum wiring?
When a home has aluminum wiring many insurance companies require an ESA inspection (Electrical Safety Authority) & any repairs or replacements to be completed before they will insure the property.
This is because homes with aluminium wiring are more likely to have electrical issues that will result in a claim to the insurance company. When installed incorrectly , aluminum wiring can cause issues dues to their inherent qualities — they tend to expand & contract more than copper and will often oxidize which can cause overheating.
Having switches & outlets that are approved for use with aluminum wiring or having proper “pigtailing” (method of attaching some copper wire to the aluminum wire to allow the use of decorra style switches) is essential. The ESA certified inspector will be required to open up every light fixture, outlet, light switch & appliance outlet to ensure they are approved & properly installed.
How do you know if a home has aluminum wiring?
Sometimes you will luck out & the basement has some wires running through an open space where it is clearly labeled by the manufacturer. If you didn’t luck out, you can look at the electrical panel & see what type of wiring was used. Most of the time you will have to remove the outer cover of the panel which can be a safety issue but any qualified home inspector will include an in-depth look at the electrical panel.
Is there a way to tell without paying for the inspection that there may be an issue?
There are some tell-tale signs that you are having issues with aluminum wiring….
- Discoloured, warm or deformed outlets & switches
- Sparking or smoke from outlets
- Fuses or breakers that constantly trip for no reason
- smell of burning plastic around outlets & switches
- Lights that flicker for no apparent reason
How much does it cost to have an ESA certified inspection?
It will depend on the size of the home but they average $200 – $600.
Final Thoughts…
If you are selling a home with aluminum we strongly suggest you apply to get the ESA Certificate to put potential buyers minds at ease & also avoid any potential hold ups with closing — if a buyer cannot obtain insurance without the ESA Certificate they will not be able to receive their mortgage funds resulting in a delay of closing.
If you are a buyer looking at a home with aluminum wiring, do not get scared off by the stigma… you have a good understanding of aluminum wiring & your REALTOR(r) can include clauses into the offer to purchase should the seller not have a ESA Certificate ready to go.
Keeping it Genuine,
The Edwards Team
The Genuine Blog
