Whole Home Rewires

HEP’s team of licensed electricians is dedicated to seamlessly upgrading your home’s electrical system with whole home rewires that meet Philadelphia’s stringent safety standards. We understand that the electrical infrastructure is the heartbeat of your home, and our comprehensive service ensures your system is modern, safe, and efficient. From the initial assessment to final inspections, every step is handled with precision and care, protecting your property and providing peace of mind.

Our expertise isn’t just about repairing old wiring—it’s about renewing your entire home environment. Whether you’re renovating an older property or preparing for future smart-home integration, our tailored solutions keep you connected with today’s demands and tomorrow’s possibilities. Trust HEP to bring cutting-edge technology and quality craftsmanship into every electrical project, ensuring your Philadelphia home is powered for years to come.

Understanding Whole Home Rewires

Whole home rewires, sometimes called “complete electrical renovations,” involve removing outdated or unsafe wiring and installing a modern electrical system that meets current code requirements. For Philadelphia homeowners, this service has become increasingly important. Many houses in the city were built long before contemporary electrical demands existed, and the original wiring often struggles to handle today’s appliances, HVAC systems, and smart devices. HEP specializes in bringing these aging electrical infrastructures up to date, ensuring safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.

What a Whole Home Rewire Entails

A typical whole home rewire performed by HEP includes:

• Removal of obsolete wiring such as knob-and-tube or deteriorated cloth-wrapped cables
• Installation of new copper conductors with high-temperature insulation
• Upgrading the main service panel and circuit breakers
• Adding grounded outlets throughout every room
• Integrating modern safety devices like AFCI and GFCI protection
• Coordinating permits and inspections with the City of Philadelphia

Signs Your Philadelphia Home Needs Rewiring

1. Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
2. Flickering lights when major appliances start
3. Warm or discolored outlet plates
4. Two-prong, ungrounded receptacles
5. A noticeable burning smell near outlets or switches
6. Aluminum branch circuits installed between the 1960s and 1970s
7. Lack of sufficient outlets leading to reliance on extension cords

The HEP Approach to Whole Home Rewires

HEP follows a methodical, client-focused process designed to minimize disruption while delivering superior craftsmanship. Each phase is executed by licensed electricians who understand the complexities of Philadelphia’s varied housing stock, from historic rowhomes to modern infills.

Comprehensive Assessment and Planning

The first step involves a detailed assessment. HEP electricians map the existing circuits, evaluate the service capacity, and identify hidden hazards lurking behind walls or in attic spaces. From this data, a tailored rewire plan is created, outlining:

• Circuit layouts for lighting, receptacles, and dedicated appliances
• Load calculations ensuring the new service can handle future expansions
• Lists of required permits and inspection checkpoints
• An estimated timeline that factors in resident schedules and building access

Code-Compliant Design

Philadelphia follows the National Electrical Code (NEC) with local amendments. HEP designs every rewire to exceed these regulations, incorporating:

• Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas
• Arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection in living spaces and bedrooms
• Tamper-resistant receptacles, a must for homes with children
• Correct conductor sizing to prevent voltage drop on longer runs

Professional Installation

Once planning and permits are in place, HEP’s crew gets to work:

• Strategic wall openings are created to fish new cables with minimal drywall removal
• New panels, subpanels, and meter bases are installed, often boosting capacity to 200 amps or more
• Lighting, receptacles, and switch locations are upgraded for ergonomic usability
• Every connection is torqued to manufacturer specifications, ensuring long-term reliability

Benefits of Choosing HEP for Whole Home Rewires

Enhanced Safety

Old wiring is one of the most common sources of residential fires. By replacing frayed conductors, corroded terminals, and loose connections, HEP reduces the risk of electrical arcs and overheating.

Increased Capacity for Modern Living

From EV chargers to gourmet kitchen appliances, modern households place heavy demands on electrical systems. A rewire with HEP means ample circuits, balanced loads, and room to expand.

Long-Term Reliability

A newly wired home is less likely to suffer from nuisance breaker trips or power quality issues. HEP backs its workmanship with robust warranties and provides clear documentation for future upgrades.

Specialized Solutions for Philadelphia’s Housing Stock

Rewiring Historic Rowhouses

Many Philadelphia rowhouses date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Preserving plaster walls, detailed moldings, and brick facades is often a priority. HEP uses minimally invasive techniques such as surface-mount raceways in unfinished basements and attic cable drops to keep historic finishes intact.

Upgrading Post-War Aluminum Wiring

Between 1965 and 1973, aluminum branch circuits were popular. Over time, aluminum oxidizes and expands, leading to loose terminations. HEP addresses this hazard by either:

• Replacing aluminum runs with copper, or
• Installing COPALUM or AlumiConn connectors when complete replacement is impractical

Integrating Smart Home Technology

During a rewire, it’s cost-effective to add low-voltage infrastructure. HEP can pre-wire for:

• Whole-home audio systems
• PoE security cameras
• Structured Cat6 data networks
• Smart thermostats and lighting controls

Materials and Technology Used by HEP

Copper Conductors and Modern Insulation

HEP relies on solid copper wiring with THHN/THWN-2 insulation for durability and temperature resistance. This choice improves conductivity, reduces heat build-up, and extends the lifespan of the installation.

AFCI and GFCI Protection

By incorporating dual-function breakers or receptacles, HEP shields circuits from both ground faults and arc faults. These advanced devices detect dangerous conditions milliseconds before damage occurs.

Structured Wiring and Low-Voltage Options

For homeowners embracing smart homes, HEP installs:

• Shielded Cat6A cables for gigabit networks
• RG6 coax for HDTV distribution
• 22/4 security cable for sensors and keypads

All low-voltage cables are routed through separate conduit paths, preventing interference with high-voltage lines.

The Rewire Timeline: What Homeowners Can Expect

A whole home rewire is a multi-stage project that typically spans one to three weeks, depending on square footage and complexity.

Pre-Construction Preparation

• Permit acquisition with the City of Philadelphia
• Material staging and panel location assessment
• Protective covering for flooring, countertops, and furniture

Daily On-Site Workflow

1. Demolition and safe removal of obsolete wiring
2. Rough-in of new cables, boxes, and conduits
3. Inspection by city officials at rough-in stage
4. Installation of devices, trims, and panel labeling

Final Testing and Documentation

HEP electricians use professional test equipment to verify:

• Proper grounding and bonding
• Correct breaker sizing
• Balanced load distribution across phases
• GFCI/AFCI functionality checks

Detailed as-built drawings and inspection certificates are provided to the homeowner.

Code Compliance in the City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) enforces strict electrical codes to safeguard residents. HEP maintains an in-depth understanding of these requirements.

• Permit applications include load calculations and panel schedules
• Rough-in and final inspections are scheduled at critical milestones
• Any deviations from the approved plan are documented and corrected immediately

Permit Acquisition

HEP handles the entire permit process, sparing homeowners from navigating municipal paperwork.

Inspection Coordination

All inspections are coordinated to minimize project delays. HEP’s licensed electricians remain on site during inspections, ready to address any questions.

Documentation for Resale

A home with documented electrical upgrades often commands a higher resale value. HEP supplies stamped drawings, inspection reports, and warranty details that reassure future buyers.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities During a Rewire

Updating wiring creates an ideal window to implement energy-saving measures.

LED Lighting Circuits

Dedicated LED circuits reduce wattage and allow advanced dimming controls, cutting lighting costs by up to 80 percent.

Dedicated Appliance Circuits

Properly sized circuits ensure high-efficiency HVAC systems, heat-pump water heaters, and induction ranges operate at peak performance.

Future-Proof Conduit Pathways

HEP often installs empty conduits from the panel to strategic locations. These “future tubes” allow easy pull-through of additional circuits or data cables without new demolition.

Preventing Electrical Hazards: Why Proactive Rewiring Matters

Fire Statistics

National data shows that electrical malfunctions cause tens of thousands of residential fires annually. A proactive rewire dramatically lowers this risk.

Insurance Considerations

Some insurers charge higher premiums—or deny coverage—when knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring is present. Completing a rewire with HEP can unlock better policy terms.

Protecting Valuables and Memories

Electrical fires can destroy irreplaceable heirlooms and personal records. An upgraded system mitigates this threat, preserving the things that make a house a home.

Post-Rewire Support from HEP

Warranty Coverage

HEP’s workmanship is covered by extensive warranties, underscoring confidence in component quality and installation techniques.

Ongoing Maintenance Plans

Periodic inspections, thermal imaging, and panel torque checks can identify wear before it develops into problems. HEP offers customizable maintenance schedules tailored to the age and usage patterns of each home.

Future Expansion

Whether adding an electric vehicle charger or powering a backyard studio, homeowners can rely on HEP to extend circuits safely without disrupting the core electrical infrastructure.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Rewire

• Secure valuable items in a safe, enclosed space
• Cover furniture with plastic sheeting to protect against dust
• Label fragile items and communicate special concerns to the crew
• Plan for temporary power shut-offs; sensitive electronics may need surge-protected backup
• Consider alternative accommodations if the project affects multiple critical rooms simultaneously

Temporary Living Arrangements

Some families opt to stay with relatives or in short-term rentals. HEP schedules work in phases to reduce the need for relocation, but advanced planning ensures minimal stress.

Furniture and Belongings Protection

HEP provides floor runners and dust barriers, yet homeowners can expedite the process by pre-clearing pathways and removing wall decor.

Clear Communication with Technicians

Setting daily access times, discussing pet accommodations, and reviewing lock-up procedures create a smooth workflow for everyone involved.

Myths About Whole Home Rewires Debunked

• “It Will Destroy My Walls” – Modern fish-tape techniques and targeted cuts keep wall damage to a minimum, and repairs blend seamlessly with existing finishes.
• “It Takes Months” – A professional team like HEP completes most Philadelphia rewires within one to three weeks, including inspections.
• “My Old Wiring Is ‘Good Enough’” – Age alone degrades insulation and connections; even unused circuits deteriorate.
• “Extension Cords Are an Alternative” – Extension cords are designed for temporary use. Long-term reliance can overheat conductors and create trip hazards.

“It Will Destroy My Walls”

HEP employs stud finders, borescopes, and wire-pull lubricants to snake conductors behind existing plaster. Strategic cuts are patched and primed, leaving no trace of the upgrade.

“It Takes Months”

By staging materials and coordinating inspectors, HEP compresses timelines without compromising quality. Efficient crew scheduling ensures each trade arrives precisely when needed.

“My Old Wiring Is ‘Good Enough’”

Homes filled with modern electronics demand consistent voltage and grounding. Legacy systems simply cannot deliver the stability required by sensitive devices.

“Extension Cords Are an Alternative”

Continuous extension cord use violates code, increases resistance, and poses serious fire risks. Properly installed receptacles are the only safe solution.

Key Takeaways for Philadelphia Homeowners

A whole home rewire is one of the most impactful upgrades a homeowner can undertake. In Philadelphia, where housing stock spans centuries, outdated wiring is a common and serious issue. HEP’s end-to-end service—from meticulous planning and code-compliant installation to energy-efficient design—delivers safety, functionality, and value that withstands the test of time. With HEP handling every permit, inspection, and detail, residents gain a reliable electrical backbone ready for today’s demands and tomorrow’s innovations.