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Updating Electrical in Citrus Heights Homes
A large share of Citrus Heights homes went up between the 1960s and the 1980s. Most are solid single-story houses, and most are now running far more electronics than they were built for. We’re Prime Electric, a family-owned electrical contractor licensed under CSLB #1061821. Here is what we usually check in homes like these, and how we fix it.
What We Find in 1960s to 1980s Houses
Houses from this period in Citrus Heights tend to share the same issues. None of them are rare, and most can be fixed without opening up every wall.
- The original panel, sometimes a brand with a known safety problem
- Two-prong outlets with no ground wire
- One or two kitchen circuits trying to run a whole modern kitchen
- No GFCI protection near sinks or in the garage
- Light fixtures and switches that have been swapped by past owners, not always correctly
If several of these sound familiar, an inspection is a good first step. We’ll list what we see and rank it by urgency.
Two-Prong Outlets and Grounding
Ungrounded outlets are everywhere in older Citrus Heights homes. Swapping in a three-prong outlet without a ground is a common mistake, and it gives you a false sense of protection.
There are a few correct ways to fix it. We can run a new grounded circuit, or add GFCI protection where code allows it. We’ll explain the difference in cost and protection. See outlet and switch installation for more.
Aluminum Branch Wiring
Some homes built in the late 1960s and early 1970s were wired with aluminum branch circuits instead of copper. Aluminum expands and contracts more, and the connections at outlets and switches can loosen and overheat over time.
If you aren’t sure what you have, we can check a few outlets and the panel. When we find aluminum, the usual fix is to repair the connections with approved connectors rather than rewire the whole house.
Panel and Breaker Replacement
Many houses here still have the panel they were built with. Older 100 amp panels can work fine for a small household, but they fill up fast once you add central air, a hot tub or an EV. If your panel is a brand like Zinsco or Federal Pacific, we suggest replacing it regardless of size.
Citrus Heights homes get electricity from SMUD, so we coordinate the power shutoff with them and handle the city permit. More on our electrical panel upgrade and circuit breaker replacement pages.
Kitchen and Bath Updates
A remodel is the best time to bring an older kitchen up to current code. That usually means new counter circuits with GFCI protection, dedicated lines for the dishwasher and microwave, and better lighting. Bathrooms often need a dedicated circuit and a proper exhaust fan connection.
We work directly with homeowners and with remodeling contractors. See electrical remodeling and additions.
Ceiling Fans and Brighter Rooms
Ranch homes from this era often have one dim light in the center of each room, or no ceiling light at all, just a switched outlet. We install recessed lights, add ceiling boxes rated for fans, and replace worn switches with dimmers. See ceiling fan installation and lighting installation.
Adding an EV Charger to an Older Panel
An EV charger is one of the bigger loads you can add to a house this age. We check the panel first. Sometimes a smaller charger or a load management device avoids an upgrade. Learn more on our EV charger installation page, and check the EV charging station rebate page for SMUD programs to look into.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Many older homes have scattered battery alarms. We install hardwired, interconnected smoke and CO alarms that meet current requirements, which also matters when you sell. Visit smoke detector installation.
Small Businesses Along Sunrise and Greenback
We also do commercial electrical work for shops and offices in Citrus Heights, from lighting retrofits to new circuits for equipment. For anything that isn’t working right, start with troubleshooting and repair.
What to Expect
- A free estimate before any work begins
- Licensed work under CSLB #1061821
- A family-owned team
- A 5.0 rating on Google from 50 reviews
Citrus Heights and Surrounding Areas
- Citrus Heights neighborhoods on both sides of Sunrise Boulevard
- Orangevale and Fair Oaks
- Antelope and Roseville
- Carmichael and Rancho Cordova
- Sacramento
Not Sure Where to Start?
That’s normal with an older house. Call (916) 225-2408 and tell us what’s bothering you. We can come out, look over the panel and the problem spots, and give you a free estimate with the most important items first.
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