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Unless you’re a licensed electrician, you should not DIY any electrical work in your home. Working with wires and electricity is potentially dangerous to both you and the structure you’re working on, and it could lead to house fires or electric shock if you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing. There’s a big difference between changing a light switch cover and rewiring an entire home. If you’re staring down a potentially difficult electrical job, give a pro a call.

Upgrading your electrical panel is often worth the cost for safety, improved electrical performance, and potential long-term savings. A primary benefit is preventing electrical fires and other hazards from a malfunctioning panel, ensuring your household's safety. An upgraded panel also provides a steady flow of electricity, eliminating issues like flickering lights and frequently tripped breakers. It allows you to connect additional appliances without overloading the system, which is especially beneficial for older homes with 100-amp service that are prone to overheating. If you run large appliances like central air conditioning, heating systems, hot tubs, or saunas, you might consider upgrading to a 300- or 400-amp service to meet the higher electrical demand. Furthermore, an upgrade can lead to long-term savings on energy bills and potentially lower insurance costs.

It can be safe to buy or live in a house with knob and tube (K&T) wiring, but only if the system is in good condition, functional, and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by a licensed electrician. Never purchase a home with K&T wiring without getting a professional electrical inspection first.

Key considerations include:

• Safety and Condition: An inspector will verify that the wiring is safe and has not deteriorated. Over time, the insulation can wear away, leaving exposed wires that pose a significant fire or shock hazard.

• System Capacity: The electrical service should be at least 60 amps. However, even at this capacity, K&T systems often struggle to handle the demands of modern appliances and electronics.

• Lack of Grounding: Knob and tube wiring is an ungrounded system, which is a safety concern for many modern devices.

• Ongoing Maintenance: If you live in a home with K&T wiring, it's recommended to have it inspected by an electrician every one to two years to ensure it remains in safe working order.

Ultimately, any inspection or modification of a knob and tube system should always be performed by a certified professional.

GFCI outlets generally need to be replaced every 7 to 15 years, though some may fail in as little as 5 years, depending on usage. It is important to test them regularly. Signs that a GFCI outlet is failing or has reached the end of its lifespan include: no power coming from the outlet, the outlet not resetting when the 'reset' button is pressed, or the outlet not tripping when the 'test' button is pressed. If you notice any of these issues, it is time to replace the outlet, and it's best to contact an electrician to do so.