Aluminum Wiring in Rochester, NY Homes

Why Rochester Has So Much Aluminum Wiring

Between roughly 1965 and 1973, copper prices spiked significantly. As a result, builders nationwide switched to aluminum for branch circuit wiring — the wiring that runs to your outlets, switches, and light fixtures. Rochester was no exception. If your home was built during this period, there is a reasonable chance it has aluminum branch circuit wiring.

After 1973, the electrical industry returned to copper for branch circuits as the fire risk from improperly installed aluminum wiring became clear. Larger conductors (like those feeding your panel from the meter) still use aluminum today, and that is fine — the issue is specifically with the smaller gauge aluminum used for branch circuits.

Why Aluminum Wiring Can Be a Problem

Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper with changes in temperature. Over years of heating and cooling cycles, this movement loosens connections at outlets, switches, and fixtures. A loose connection creates resistance. Resistance creates heat. Heat creates fire risk.

Aluminum also oxidizes differently than copper. Aluminum oxide is a poor conductor, so oxidized connections become high-resistance connections — which again means heat.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that homes wired with aluminum branch circuit wiring are 55 times more likely to have wire connections reach fire hazard conditions than homes with copper wiring. That statistic is for untreated, uninspected aluminum wiring — properly maintained aluminum wiring does not carry that risk.

How to Tell If Your Rochester Home Has Aluminum Wiring

• 1.Open your electrical panel and look at the wires. Aluminum wiring is silver-colored, not the copper color you would expect.
• 2.The wire insulation may be stamped “AL” or “aluminum.”
• 3.Your home was built between 1965 and 1973.
• 4.If you have had a home inspection, check the report — inspectors are trained to note aluminum wiring.

If you are not sure, have a licensed electrician take a look. It takes a few minutes to confirm.

Warning Signs to Watch For

If your home has aluminum wiring, watch for these signs that connections may be failing:

• ✓Outlets or switches that feel warm to the touch
• ✓Lights that flicker, especially under load
• ✓A burning smell from outlets or the panel
• ✓Outlets or switches that work intermittently
• ✓Circuit breakers that trip repeatedly on the same circuit
• ✓Discoloration around outlets or switch plates

Any of these warrants a call to a licensed electrician. Do not ignore a warm outlet or intermittent circuit — these are not nuisances, they are warnings.

Your Options for Fixing Aluminum Wiring

Option 1: Full Rewire (Best Long-Term Solution)

Replacing all aluminum branch circuit wiring with copper eliminates the issue permanently. For most Rochester homes this is a significant project — walls need to be opened, drywall repaired, and the home will be without power for a day or more. It is the right choice for a full renovation or when the aluminum wiring is in poor condition throughout.

Option 2: Pigtailing at Every Device (Approved and Effective)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission approves two methods for pigtailing aluminum to copper at every connection point: COPALUM crimp connectors (installed with a special crimping tool) and AlumiConn connectors. When done correctly at every outlet, switch, and fixture in the home, this method is considered safe and satisfies most insurance requirements. This is the most common fix for Monroe County homes where full rewiring is not practical.

Important: this must be done at every single connection — not just the ones that are visibly problematic. Partial pigtailing leaves the rest of the home at risk.

Option 3: CO/ALR-Rated Devices (Partial Fix Only)

Replacing all outlets and switches with CO/ALR-rated devices (designed for aluminum wiring) addresses the connection point but does not address the wiring runs or the connections at junction boxes. This is an improvement but not a complete solution, and most insurance companies do not consider it sufficient on its own.

What Monroe County Insurance Companies Typically Require

Insurance requirements vary by carrier, but these are the most common scenarios we see in Monroe County:

• ✓Inspection report only — Some insurers will insure the home if a licensed electrician has inspected the aluminum wiring and certified it is in acceptable condition.
• ✓Pigtailing with documentation — Most insurers accept the home after complete pigtailing is documented by a licensed electrician.
• ✓Full rewire required — A minority of insurers will only insure homes that have been fully rewired with copper.

If you are buying a home with aluminum wiring, check with your insurance carrier before closing. If you already own such a home, call your insurer and ask what documentation they require.

Frequently Asked Questions