As the scope and scale of home technologies evolve, homes are becoming smarter and more connected. This growing connectivity is placing increased strain on North America’s aging electrical infrastructure.
Surging energy demands from home EV chargers, high-performance HVAC systems, and smart appliances mean that safety considerations should be more important than ever.
That’s why Schneider Electric is encouraging contractors to make safety conversations with homeowners a key consideration. This means immediate fixes, but also wider recommendations on essential upgrades. These small upgrades can protect the homeowner and their families while encouraging improvements that meet code standards.
As a starter guide for contractors, here are five key areas to put at the top of the conversational ‘to-do list’ with customers:
1. GFCIs: An Easy Fix That Saves Lives
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are required by code in any area with potential water exposure—but many homes either don’t have them or have outdated models that often don’t trip correctly.
Primary areas in which GFCIs should be installed include:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Garages and basements
- Outdoor outlets
If a GFCI isn’t functioning properly, it cannot protect against electric shock as intended. Fortunately, this is one of the simplest and most affordable upgrades available. It is simple and straightforward to install a GFCI in the panel or at the outlet level; a worthwhile upgrade, as having both ensures ultimate protection.
For electricians, it is worth looking out for high-frequency rated GFCI breakers, which work well with newer HVAC systems and other variable motor-powered appliances.
2. Wiring & Outlet Updates: Don’t Ignore Aging Technology
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), approximately 71% of all U.S single-family homes were built prior to 1990.
A significant portion of these houses may still have their original wiring, which could lack modern safety features on outlets.
These aren’t just safety hazards. Wiring that requires maintenance or replacement can also reduce a property’s energy efficiency and can damage modern electronics.
For many homeowners, the prospect of proactive rewiring will undoubtedly be a cost-prohibitive one. As a contractor, consider positioning the work as a long-term investment in both safety and cost-savings; in fact, new wiring may even help lower the property’s insurance premiums!
Contractors should also ask homeowners if they’ve noticed any outlets or switches that feel warm, emit a burning smell, have loose plugs, or show visible damage. These conversations can naturally lead to upgrade opportunities.
When replacing these electrical hazards, customers may be interested in upgrading to Matter-compliant wiring devices. These allow homeowners to manage and control their home’s energy use with connected devices, bringing safety and smart functionality together.
3. Total Home Surge Protection: A Modern Necessity
Power surges are an often-misunderstood phenomenon by homeowners. While many know that lightning is a natural cause of power surges, they are unaware that most surges occur within the home – attributable to appliances such as HVAC units, refrigerators, washers, and dryers.
For electricians seeking to educate homeowners about the necessity of home surge protection, there are several key considerations to highlight.
These include surge breakers, which can protect the entire home when installed in an electrical panel. In instances where electrical panels do not have space for a surge breaker, there is the option to install a whole-house surge protector, which is installed next to or right outside of the panel.
It’s also important to remind homeowners that many of their expensive home electronics, such as refrigerators, HVACs, washers and dryers, aren’t connected to plug-in surge strips, so it is worth positioning whole-home surge protection to ensure coverage where it matters most.
What’s more, many people think all power strips protect from surge – but this is a myth. A standard power strip is essentially just a multi-outlet extension cord and offers no protection against voltage spikes. Only a dedicated surge protector, which will be clearly labeled as such, has the internal components to divert excess voltage and safeguard electronics from damage.
Indeed, surge protection is now a standard code requirement for new builds in 38 states (21 states enforcing the NEC 230.67 2020 statewide, with a further 17 adopting the newer NEC 2023), so it is an important topic of conversation that contractors can have with homeowners.
4. Electrical Panel & Circuit Breaker Upgrades: Prepare for the Future
Technology has evolved at a far greater speed than the panels that power our homes. Original panels in many homes were designed for far lower usage than what is typically standard now.
The consequence of this is frequent tripping of panels and insufficient capacity for modern additions like electric vehicle chargers or induction stoves.
Schneider Electric has put together a series of blogs on the benefits of upgrading from 100A to 200A panels, and similarly for 200A to 400A.
These articles outline the main reasons homeowners should consider an upgrade, and when proactive maintenance might be a smarter choice in terms of cost or timing.
5. Regular Maintenance & Safety Checks: Build Long-Term Relationships
The most valuable thing a contractor can offer to a homeowner is not a single fix, but a routine check-up. This is particularly important for homes over 30 years of age, where annual or biannual servicing can reveal a number of issues, including:
- Loose or corroded connections
- Worn insulation
- Discolored or scorched outlets and fixtures
Regular maintenance not only helps keep the home safe—it opens the door for follow-up work, including panel upgrades, GFCI installations, and rewiring projects.
Contractors can win customer confidence and position themselves as trusted advisors by going beyond quick fixes and taking the time to educate homeowners on long-term safety and efficiency upgrades. By explaining the “why” behind each recommendation—whether it’s surge protection, panel upgrades, or GFCI replacements—they show that they’re looking out for the homeowner’s best interests, not just selling a service. Consistently offering honest, code-compliant advice builds credibility and helps turn one-time jobs into lasting customer relationships.
To learn more about the full range of safety solutions provided by Schneider Electric, visit: https://www.se.com/us/en/work/products/residential-and-small-business/
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