All Forum Posts by: Brian Sher

@Kevin Gallagher being a licensed electrician in the state of Washington. I have ran into this multiple times on service calls. Plain and simple, aluminum is no good for “branch circuits”. Aluminum does have its place for large service wire or feeders.

The reason why aluminum is bad for smaller conductors is, aluminum has a high expansion and contraction rate. It works its way out of wire connections, like wire nuts, or terminations like receptacles or switches. Most electrical contractor will not touch aluminum wire because of the high liability of it failing, or causing fires down the road and will want to run copper in its place($$$). This is the same reason why your insurance will most likely be higher for a property with aluminum branch circuits. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see if there is any unforeseen cost of ensuring this property.

All investors should be aware that there are special wire nuts and connectors that will connect aluminum to copper, legally, but are expensive. Most off-the-shelf receptacles and switches are “copper only” devices. If you are looking to do any work electrically with aluminum wire understand it will be more expensive, even something as simple as swapping a light fixture.

Best of luck with your endeavors and as always, do it proper, do it copper. 

Would anyone consider this a house hack if you own/ rent a house with a dock? 
Here in Seattle you could rent a hot tub boat hourly through turo. I’m sure there are other apps, click&boat, for daily rentals.