If you own a historic home in Aiken built before 1950, there's a significant chance it contains knob and tube wiring—an outdated electrical system that poses serious safety risks and insurance challenges. Unity Power & Light specializes in replacing knob and tube wiring with modern, code-compliant electrical systems that protect your family, satisfy insurance requirements, and provide the electrical capacity you need for today's lifestyle.
Why Replace Knob and Tube Wiring?
Knob and tube wiring was the standard electrical installation method from the 1880s through the 1940s. While it was safe when new, decades of aging have made these systems dangerous. The rubber insulation has deteriorated, the systems lack ground wires for safety, and they can't handle modern electrical loads. Most critically, insurance companies increasingly refuse to cover homes with active knob and tube wiring due to elevated fire risks.
Replacing your knob and tube wiring eliminates these hazards and brings your home up to current National Electrical Code standards. You'll gain peace of mind knowing your family is protected, your home is insurable, and your electrical system can safely power modern appliances and electronics.
Our Knob & Tube Replacement Services
Comprehensive Electrical Inspection
Before any work begins, our licensed electricians conduct a thorough inspection of your entire electrical system. We identify all locations where knob and tube wiring exists, assess its condition, and evaluate your electrical panel capacity. You'll receive a detailed written report documenting our findings and recommendations, which you can provide to your insurance company or mortgage lender if needed.
Complete Home Rewiring
The most comprehensive solution is a full rewiring of your home with modern NM cable (Romex). We remove all knob and tube wiring and install new circuits throughout your home, including properly grounded outlets, modern switches, and adequate circuit capacity for each area. All work is performed to current NEC standards and includes all necessary permits and inspections.
Partial Replacement Options
If a full rewiring isn't immediately feasible, we can replace critical circuits first—such as those serving kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms where the safety risks are highest. This phased approach allows you to spread the investment over time while addressing the most dangerous portions of your electrical system first. We'll provide a priority plan based on your specific situation.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Most homes with knob and tube wiring also have outdated 60-amp or 100-amp electrical panels that can't support modern electrical demands. As part of your rewiring project, we typically upgrade to a 200-amp panel that provides ample capacity for air conditioning, kitchen appliances, computers, and all your other electrical needs. Modern panels also include circuit breakers instead of fuses for better protection and convenience.
Our Replacement Process
Initial Assessment
We schedule a convenient time to inspect your home's electrical system. Our electrician will examine accessible areas like attics, basements, and your electrical panel to identify all knob and tube wiring. We'll discuss your electrical needs, insurance requirements, and timeline.
Detailed Proposal
You'll receive a comprehensive written proposal that includes a scope of work, timeline, and cost breakdown. We'll explain exactly what work we'll perform, what permits are required, and how we'll minimize disruption to your home. We're happy to answer any questions and adjust the scope if needed.
Permit and Scheduling
We handle all permit applications with the local building department. Once permits are approved and you've accepted our proposal, we'll schedule your project at a time that works for your family. We coordinate our work to minimize disruption—in many cases, you can remain in your home throughout the project.
Professional Installation
Our licensed electricians remove old knob and tube wiring and install new NM cable circuits throughout your home. We use specialized tools and techniques to minimize wall damage, fishing wires through existing wall cavities whenever possible. When we do need to make wall openings, we keep them small and coordinate with your contractor if you're having drywall repair done.
Inspection and Documentation
After installation is complete, we schedule the required electrical inspection with the local authority. Once your new electrical system passes inspection, we provide you with copies of all permits, inspection certificates, and completion documentation that you can submit to your insurance company to update your coverage.
What's Included in Our Service
Insurance Compliance Documentation
One of the main reasons Aiken homeowners replace knob and tube wiring is to satisfy insurance requirements. Many insurance companies refuse to insure homes with active knob and tube wiring, while others charge significantly higher premiums or require certification from a licensed electrician that the system is safe—a certification most electricians won't provide given the inherent risks.
When we complete your knob and tube replacement, we provide comprehensive documentation that includes:
- Before and after inspection reports
- Copies of all electrical permits
- Final inspection certificates from the local authority
- Detailed description of work performed
- Warranty documentation
This documentation package gives your insurance company the proof they need to remove any restrictions or surcharges related to knob and tube wiring. Many of our Aiken clients have seen significant decreases in their insurance premiums after replacing their knob and tube wiring and providing this documentation to their insurers.
Investment and Value
Knob and tube wiring replacement is a significant investment, but it's one of the most important safety upgrades you can make to a historic home. For most Aiken homes, you can expect the following cost ranges:
Partial Replacement
$3,500 - $8,000
Replace critical circuits (kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms) while leaving less critical areas for a future phase. Ideal if you need insurance compliance quickly or want to spread the investment over time.
Full Replacement
$8,000 - $20,000
Complete rewiring of your entire home with modern NM cable, including all circuits, outlets, switches, and proper grounding. Most comprehensive solution that maximizes safety and home value.
With Panel Upgrade
Add $2,000 - $4,000
Upgrade from a 60-amp or 100-amp service to a modern 200-amp panel. Typically recommended when replacing knob and tube wiring to ensure adequate capacity for modern electrical demands.
The exact cost for your home depends on several factors including square footage, number of circuits needed, accessibility of existing wiring locations, and whether a panel upgrade is required. We provide detailed written estimates before any work begins so you know exactly what to expect.
While the upfront investment is significant, consider the benefits: dramatically improved electrical safety, lower insurance premiums, increased home value, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected. Many homeowners find that the insurance savings alone offset a significant portion of the cost over time.
Why Choose Unity Power & Light?
Replacing knob and tube wiring requires specialized expertise and careful attention to detail. Our licensed electricians have extensive experience working with Aiken's historic homes. We understand the unique challenges these projects present, from working around old construction methods to preserving historic features while bringing electrical systems up to modern standards.
We're committed to minimizing disruption to your home and your life. Our electricians work efficiently, protect your belongings during the project, and clean up thoroughly at the end of each day. We coordinate closely with you throughout the project to ensure everything proceeds smoothly.
Schedule Your Knob & Tube Wiring Inspection Today
Don't let outdated wiring put your Aiken home at risk. Our licensed electricians can assess your electrical system, provide a detailed replacement plan, and help you make your home safe and insurable. Contact Unity Power & Light today for a free consultation and estimate.
Learn More About Knob & Tube Wiring
Read our detailed blog post: Knob and Tube Wiring: What Aiken Homeowners Need to Know