The lights dim as my wife switches on a burner on the stovetop. There is heat felt in the wall above the outlet where the refrigerator is plugged in. It is time for an electrical makeover for this old ranch house.

The electrical panels and wiring are at least 40 years old. In that 40 years there have been new appliances added to the overall electrical load. Gas appliances were used in abundance back then. Over the years the water heater, stove and space heaters were replaced with the electric variety. These items were not in the plans when the electric service panel was installed.

To add to the problem, many newer appliances were added as well. Things like a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and a nice jacuzzi tub were added to the mix. See the problem here?

What needs to happen first as we give this old house an electrical upgrade? First, plans are drawn up and then the work begins.

The first order of business is to remove the old wiring and service panel. The new will then be put back in it's place. The whole process will take a whole lot of time and effort to make this ranch house safe again. No more worrying about the fire danger lurking in the walls.

Now it's time to let you know of my mental rewiring project over the past few months. But before I do that let me take you back half a century to the time that my electrical pathways were first laid out.

The toddler years is where the foundation was set. I learned that good deeds were rewarded while being a bad boy brought punishment.

As a young boy I was taught that I needed to study hard in order to get good grades. Bad grades meant that I would not be able to go on to college. No college meant that I could not get a very high paying job!

The wiring pathways began to be more permanent. The good grades throughout high school would allow me access to a great college. Once I arrived at the university it was time to get good grades so I could land a great paying job.

What was the purpose in getting good grades? The end result was to make more money. That is why my dad who had a third grade education wanted his sons to go to school and get good grades! He wanted his sons to be more successful than he was. Isn't that every father's wish?

I did my part and I studied hard. I learned to memorize facts and regurgitate them at test time. I became a master at it. These good grades helped me to land a great job after finishing my schooling.

Awe! Success at last! I accomplished my goals. I began to earn more money than I had ever dreamed possible! This ole cowboy was feeling pretty good about life at this point!

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Electrical Remodel Project.