Renovating a home in Calgary is exciting – new layout, new finishes, a fresh start. But amidst picking paint colours and flooring, don’t forget one critical component: the electrical system. Many Calgary houses hide outdated wiring behind those walls. If you’re upgrading a kitchen, finishing a basement, or renewing an older property, you’ll likely need a residential electrician in Calgary to update the wiring safely. Nomad Electrical Services specializes in renovation electrical work. We love breathing new life into older electrical systems, making them safe, modern, and suited for today’s living. Let’s talk about common old wiring issues in Calgary and how our team can help your renovation go off without a hitch.
Outdated Wiring in Calgary Homes: A Hidden Hazard
Calgary has neighbourhoods dating back to the early 1900s, as well as suburbs from the mid-century boom. That means there are many different wiring types in local homes, some of which are well past their prime. Two of the biggest culprits we encounter during renovations are knob-and-tube wiring and 1960s-70s aluminum wiring.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring (Pre-1950s)
In Alberta, it’s well known that homes built in the early 1900s to 1950s commonly have knob-and-tube wiring. During a renovation, it’s the perfect time to replace it with safe, grounded copper wiring. This system uses separate single-insulated wires run on ceramic knobs and through tubes. Back in the day, it was state-of-the-art, but now it’s a major red flag.
K&T has no ground wire, which means no protection against shock on metal appliances and no surge path. The old insulation (often cloth or rubber) can become brittle and fall off, exposing bare conductors. It also wasn’t designed for the loads of modern life – no big screen TVs or microwaves in 1940! Many insurance companies consider knob-and-tube a hazard and may require it to be replaced or at least inspected. During a renovation, it’s the perfect time to replace it with safe, grounded copper wiring.
Aluminum Branch Wiring (1960s-70s)
Fast forward to the 1960s, and copper prices led many builders to use aluminum wiring for branch circuits (the wires to outlets and lights). Aluminum conducts electricity, but it has some downsides: it expands and contracts more than copper, and it’s prone to oxidation. Over time, this can cause connections to loosen and overhead to increase, greatly increasing fire risk. In fact, homes wired with aluminum in that era are far more likely to have connection overheating than homes with copper.
Calgary saw a lot of construction in the 60s and 70s, so aluminum wiring is not uncommon in areas like older communities and townhouses. It’s often safe if properly maintained (with special connectors and anti-oxidant compounds), but during a reno is the ideal opportunity to make it right. Nomad can either replace aluminum circuits with copper or use approved retrofits (such as Al/Cu-rated connectors or pigtails) to ensure every outlet, switch, and junction is safe and secure. The Alberta Safety Codes Council has clear guidelines for addressing aluminum wiring hazards, and we follow them meticulously.
Aside from these, we also run into undersized service panels (60-amp mains were common decades ago, whereas 100-amp is the minimum code today), old fuse panels that lack modern breakers, and circuits without proper grounding. An older Calgary home might have only a couple of circuits for an entire kitchen and dining room—completely insufficient by modern code, which requires dedicated circuits for appliances and counter plugs. Cloth-insulated wire, lack of GFCI outlets near sinks, sketchy DIY additions done over the years… we see it all.
The bottom line: outdated wiring is a serious safety and functionality issue. A key part of our job as residential electricians in Calgary is to uncover these hidden problems during your renovation and fix them correctly.
Modern Electrical Upgrades: Old vs. New
Renovating gives you a chance not just to replace what’s unsafe, but also to improve and modernize your home’s electrical infrastructure. Here’s a comparison of old vs. new practices, and why upgrading is worth every penny:
Service Panels
Old: 60A or 100A fuse panels with limited circuits. New: 100A or 200A breaker panels with plenty of circuit capacity. Upgrading means you can add that air conditioner or electric vehicle charger down the line without worrying. New panels also incorporate safety devices like main breakers and are easier to reset (no hunting for fuses). Nomad often installs panels with room to grow, because even if you don’t need all those spaces now, you might in the future (hot tub, anyone?).
Circuit Distribution
Old: Few circuits powering many rooms, often leading to overloaded breakers and lights dimming when you vacuum. New: Dedicated circuits for kitchen appliances (each fridge, microwave, etc.), two dedicated circuits for kitchen counter outlets (per code), separate circuits for laundry, bathrooms, and so on. We design the circuit layout so that tripping breakers will be a rarity, and you can use all your devices without hiccups.
Grounding and Protection
Old: Two-prong ungrounded outlets were standard pre-1960s. No GFCIs, and no surge protection. New: Every outlet is grounded, greatly reducing the risk of shock. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoor locations – we install these lifesavers wherever needed to protect against electrocution. Modern code also requires Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) on many circuits to prevent arcing faults from starting fires. During a reno, we’ll bring your home up to code with GFCI/AFCI protection as required. It’s a huge safety improvement over old setups.
Lighting and Convenience
Old: One or two ceiling lights per room, controlled by simple switches. New: We can install plentiful LED pot lights for a brighter home that uses a fraction of the energy. 3-way switching so you can turn lights on/off from multiple entrances. Dimmers for mood and efficiency. Under-cabinet lighting to make that new kitchen really shine. These enhancements not only make your home more enjoyable, but they also add value. And since we’re already opening walls during the reno, adding new lights and switches is relatively easy.
Energy Efficiency
Old: Inefficient fixtures and no thought to load management. New: We incorporate efficient LED lighting (which produces very little heat and uses ~75% less power than old incandescents). We can also set you up with smart thermostats, timers for exterior lights, and even occupancy sensors if you want truly modern tech. A well-planned electrical system can make your renovated home more energy-savvy, saving you money in the long run.
By comparing what you had with what you can have, it’s clear that electrical upgrades are a cornerstone of a successful renovation. Not only do you eliminate safety risks, but you also tailor the home’s electrical amenities to your lifestyle. Imagine running the toaster, coffee maker, and blender all at once on a busy morning – without fear of tripping a breaker. Or plugging in your computer, printer, and chargers in a home office that actually has enough outlets (we can make that happen!). These are the little joys of a well-executed electrical plan.
Why You Need a Licensed Residential Electrician
Now, you might be thinking, “Can’t any electrician do this work? Why specifically a residential electrician in Calgary?” The answer lies in specialization and local expertise. Residential electrical work can be very different from commercial or industrial. It involves working within finished homes, dealing with legacy wiring systems, and coordinating with other trades during a renovation (carpenters, plumbers, HVAC, etc.).
Our team at Nomad is highly experienced in residential projects—we respect your living space and know how to work efficiently in tight quarters or around your family’s schedule. We also understand Calgary’s building codes and permitting process inside and out. Any significant reno will require electrical permits and inspections, which we handle from start to finish.
Only a qualified electrical contractor can pull the needed permits for home upgrades like panel changes or added circuits, and we do that on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.
Because we focus on residential jobs, we’ve built up a wealth of knowledge about common issues in Calgary homes. For example, we know that many homes in certain areas (like older bungalows in Haysboro or Glenbrook) often have undersized panels – so we come prepared to discuss a panel upgrade when quoting a basement development there.
We also understand the aesthetics: you don’t want conduit running across your rec room wall if it can be avoided, and you’d prefer outlets placed conveniently (and maybe hidden strips for the wall-mounted TV). These details matter to homeowners, and they matter to us. A licensed residential electrician like Nomad will ensure your renovation’s electrical work is not only safe and code-compliant but also seamlessly integrated into your home’s design.
Nomad’s Role in Your Calgary Renovations
At Nomad Electrical Services, we see ourselves as your partners in creating your dream home. When we come on board for a renovation, large or small, here’s how we add value:
Early Planning Input: We’re happy to collaborate with you and your designer or contractor right from the planning stage. Moving a wall to expand the kitchen? We’ll figure out how to reroute the wiring cleanly. Adding a basement suite? We’ll plan for a sub-panel and proper egress window detectors, etc. By ironing out electrical details early, you avoid surprises later.
Accurate Estimates: Nobody likes budget surprises. Our team will assess the scope of electrical work and provide a detailed estimate. If there are uncertainties (like we’re not sure how a cable is routed until we open the drywall), we’ll tell you upfront and build a contingency plan. Transparency is key.
Quality Workmanship: During the reno, we install everything to the highest standard. Cables are neatly run and secured, not dangling. Connections are made with proper devices (we torque every screw to spec – loose connections are not in our vocabulary!). We follow the Canadian Electrical Code to a tee. Quality work behind the scenes means your home’s electrical system will be trouble-free for decades.
Coordination and Communication: Renovations can be like a choreographed dance of different trades. We pride ourselves on being reliable and easy to work with. If we say we’ll be there on Tuesday morning to do the rough-in, we’ll be there. We work efficiently so the drywallers can get in on schedule. And we communicate with you if any issues arise (for instance, if we discover that an old junction box buried in a wall needs to be addressed). Our goal is zero delays caused by the electrical scope.
Final Touches and Support: Once your renovation is complete, we stick around (figuratively). All our work comes with a warranty, and we’re only a phone call away if you have questions operating a new dimmer or if an outlet isn’t where you expected (though we strive for perfect outcomes, we’ll always make it right if something’s off). We love it when clients invite us back for future projects or refer us to friends – it tells us we delivered excellence.
Renovating is a chance to make your home safer, more functional, and perfectly “you.” Nomad Electrical Services takes pride in handling the crucial electrical aspect of that transformation. Our residential electricians in Calgary have helped countless homeowners turn older houses into updated, worry-free havens. We’d be honoured to help with yours next.
Planning a renovation in Calgary?
Let’s talk! Get Nomad Electrical Services involved early, and we’ll ensure your dream home has an electrical system to match. From upgrading old wiring to installing the latest tech, we do it all with professionalism and care. Reach out today for a consultation or quote – and take the first step toward a successful renovation.