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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.

A GFCI outlet is easy to identify. It features two buttons on the face that read “TEST” and “RESET.” Sometimes, the “RESET” button is red. These are positioned in the center of the two three-prong plug-in slots you see on a regular outlet. Some also feature a green light to indicate when the outlet is working, changing to red when there is a problem.

Electric water heaters use a high amount of electricity, so they’re best for homeowners who subsidize their electric bill with solar or who live in an area with inexpensive electricity. For others, gas water heaters versus electric water heaters may be the more cost-effective solution, with the added bonus of heating water quickly and efficiently. No matter which you choose, you can lower your water temperature as low as possible to keep costs down.

Yes, you can daisy chain outlets, which involves connecting multiple outlets in series. However, ensuring the circuit can handle the additional load is important to avoid overloading and tripping the breaker. The total number of outlets on a single circuit should not exceed the recommended limit, typically eight on a 15-amp circuit. Hiring a licensed electrician is always advisable for complex installations or if you're unsure of what to do.