The Most Common Electrical Problems in Older Homes (And How We Fix Them)

Older homes across Brisbane have a lot of charm — but they can also come with hidden electrical dangers. Outdated wiring, old switchboards, and worn-out fittings aren’t just inconvenient; they can be serious safety hazards. At Auswire Electrical and Air, our licensed electricians specialise in identifying and repairing electrical issues in older homes, keeping Brisbane families safe and connected.

Here are the most common electrical problems we find — and how we can assist to fix them.

1. Outdated Electrical Wiring

Many older homes still have original wiring, including dangerous materials like cloth-insulated cabling or even rubber wiring, which becomes brittle over time. Old wiring can’t handle the power demands of today’s appliances and poses a serious fire risk.

Our solution:

We offer complete electrical rewiring services. Our qualified electricians replace outdated cables with modern, safe wiring that complies with Australian Standards, improving both safety and energy efficiency.

2. Old and Unsafe Switchboards

Switchboards from decades ago weren’t designed for the electrical loads modern homes need. Old fuse boxes often lack safety switches (RCDs), leaving your family exposed to electrocution risks.

Our solution:

We perform switchboard upgrades across Brisbane, installing modern safety switches that cut power instantly in case of a fault. A new switchboard protects your family and your home and ensures it meets current regulations. We can also install surge protection devices to protect sensitive electrical equipment inside your home. 

3. Flickering Lights and Power Fluctuations

Flickering lights, buzzing switches, and power surges are often signs of loose wiring, overloaded circuits, or worn-out fittings — all common in older properties.

Our solution:

Our experienced electricians diagnose and repair the cause of flickering or surging power, whether it’s a loose connection, old light fittings, or faulty circuit breakers.

4. Insufficient Powerpoints and Overloaded Circuits

Older homes often don’t have enough powerpoints for today’s technology. Extension cords and double adapters can easily overload circuits, increasing the risk of fire.

Our solution:

We provide powerpoint installation services, adding safe and conveniently placed outlets throughout your home. We can also upgrade circuits to handle additional load safely.

5. Lack of Safety Switches

Safety switches (RCDs) are essential for preventing electric shocks, but many older homes still operate without them.

Our solution:

As part of our electrical safety upgrades, we install safety switches to protect every circuit in your home. It’s one of the fastest ways to dramatically improve electrical safety.

6. High Energy Usage Light Fittings

Most older houses still have incandescent light bulbs/fittings that use a lot more energy than is required, costing you more than it should in energy bills.

Our solution:

We specialise in LED lighting solutions for your home. Whether you're looking to save on energy bills, improve the aesthetics of your house or add more lighting, we have the answer for you. 

Trust Brisbane’s Older Home Electrical Experts

If you live in an older home, don’t leave electrical safety to chance. At Auswire Electrical and Air, we specialise in electrical repairs, switchboard upgrades, rewiring, and powerpoint installations for homes across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and surrounding suburbs. Our licensed electricians deliver quality workmanship you can trust — backed by full compliance with Australian Standards.

Need a licensed electrician in Brisbane?

Contact Auswire Electrical and Air today for an inspection and quote.

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