Aluminum wire was produced and installed in Ontario between 1969 and 1976. For most of these years, copper wire was simply not available in quantity. As a result, there are thousands of houses in our area of operation which have aluminum or a mix of copper and aluminum wire.

Problems with aluminum wire are primarily fire concerns. Loose connections and insulating oxide form the bulk of the issues. The most common upgrade recommended during a home inspection is the replacement of outlets with aluminum compatible ones. This process is tedious, but relatively simple.

Other areas of concern are the wire nuts used at light fixtures, and the 240 Volt circuits which form an insulating oxide on the exposed wire, leading to overheating. These connections are pasted with an anti-oxidant conductive grease, to prevent this from occurring.

Currently, aluminum wiring is an insurance issue, and most companies will want to see an ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) certificate or a certificate from a qualified electrician stating that the upgrade work has been completed. This work can cost $750 – 1,400, depending on house size.