An apartment built in the 90s has all aluminum wiring throughout. An electrician says I need to replace it with copper, otherwise there will be problems. But it's expensive. Is it really that critical, or can I leave it as is?
Aluminum wiring in 90s apartments is often already pushing the permissible load limits, and if an electrician has checked the system and recommends replacing it - chances are he's seeing real problems, not just trying to make a quick buck 😊
The main thing people usually overlook: even if the wiring itself is still holding up, its cross-section often doesn't meet modern standards anymore. Back then, apartments were designed for way lower power consumption than what we use today (air conditioner, microwave, washing machine running at the same time - and you're already overloaded). It's better to replace the whole circuit, otherwise you end up with a mix of old and new, which creates its own hazards. If you're putting it off, at least check the condition of your distribution boxes and contacts - there's often oxidation and loose connections there that can improve things a bit on the cheap.
The question of "replace or not replace" is framed a bit wrong - it all depends on what condition your wiring is actually in right now and what you're plugging into it. Aluminum itself isn't the enemy; problems start when contacts oxidize, wires heat up, or they get overloaded. If your wiring has been working for, say, 30 years without short circuits and fires, that doesn't mean it's about to blow up. But the risk really is higher than with copper.
Copper is more reliable - it oxidizes less, handles loads better, lasts longer. The thing is, "you absolutely have to replace everything at once" - that's not always true. Look at what you're actually plugging in: if it's a washing machine, oven, water heater, and several outlets all at the same time, then yeah, old aluminum wiring might not be able to handle it and will start overheating. But if you live modestly and don't overload the network, you can get by with a partial replacement: at least redo the lines to high-power appliances and the main panel, where contacts oxidize fastest.
One more tip - ask your electrician for an estimate not on a full replacement, but on phased updates. Sometimes people live with aluminum wiring for years, just keeping an eye on its condition and tightening the contacts. It's not ideal, but cheaper than a complete overhaul.
I agree that current condition is the deciding factor. But there's a catch: aluminum oxidizes, contacts heat up over time, and if you're planning to connect a lot of heavy-duty appliances (dishwasher, electric stove, water heater all at once), the risk of overheating goes up. If the wiring is no more than 25-30 years old and works without any issues, you don't have to replace it right away, but you'd want to redo it at the first opportunity - at least the critical areas like the kitchen.
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