Electrical: lifespan and cost
The electrical system is a safety question as much as an upkeep one. The table shows how long the parts last and what an upgrade usually costs.
The ranges apply to a normal-sized house. Actual cost depends on size, access and region. Lifespan means technical lifespan with normal upkeep. In a share-based flat the big repairs are a share of the housing company’s project and show up in the charge or the company loan.
| Component | Lifespan | Replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit | 40 yrs (30-50) | 2 000-6 000 € |
| Electrical wiring | 45 yrs (35-60) | 8 000-30 000 € |
| Sockets and switches | 40 yrs (30-50) | 1 500-5 000 € |
| Residual current device | 25 yrs (20-35) | 300-1 000 € |
When does the wiring need replacing?
Wiring lasts a long time but the insulation grows brittle over the years, and old installations often lack the earthing and residual-current devices required today. A house with its original consumer unit and old plug fuses rather than circuit breakers is nearing an upgrade. Sockets and switches are cheap to replace as you go; the consumer unit and wiring are the larger item.
What does rewiring cost?
Replacing the consumer unit is a contained job, while rewiring a whole house means opening walls and costs more. A residual-current device is cheap and raises safety the most of anything, and if it is missing it should be the priority. The cost in the table applies to a normal-sized house.
What the age of the house tells you
Certain build years carry known risks for exactly these parts. Here are the most common ones.
Old electrical installations Houses built 1900–1975
Old electrical installations — fire risk; consider renewal.
Must all the wiring be replaced in an older house?
Not always. If the wiring is sound and earthed, updating the consumer unit and adding a residual-current device may be enough. An electrical inspection decides what is needed, and it is cheap relative to the peace of mind.
What is the difference between plug fuses and circuit breakers?
Plug fuses are the older technology and are swapped when they blow; circuit breakers reset with a flick. A consumer unit with plug fuses is a sign the system has some years on it.
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