Most homes have electrical and copper wiring this year.

Your service entrance cable is almost certainly aluminum. Wiring for an electric range or heat pump aux heat is also likely to be. But those are stranded wire types, and don't have the safety problems that plagued the solid aluminum wire that was used in branch circuits for a while decades ago.

Your 2014 branch circuit wiring is copper. No worries there.

BTW, it doesn't apply here, but if you strip the insulation off old rubber-and-cloth covered wire in a house built prior to about the 1960s, you'll probably see silvery-looking wire inside. That's NOT aluminum, so don't worry, it's tinned (solder-coated) copper.

Remove a switch plat or outlet cover and see for yourself.

The prices of copper skyrocketed but there really wasn't any tremendous shortage. As pointed out the larger gauges are likely aluminum, but the fixtures they feed are designed for them. The bad rap for aluminum came from poorly terminated general lighting branch circuits (15A stuff) using stuff really only designed for copper.

In the mid- to late-1960s and 1970s, solid aluminum branch circuit wire was sold to home builders eager to shave some dollars off their costs. I also recall it being promoted as great for DIY wiring because it was softer than copper and easier to work with, even though you had to use a size larger. One magazine article praising it said that you could form a loop for a receptacle or switch terminal screw "around a nail with a penny."

You can find different explanations for the hazards of solid aluminum branch circuit wiring. They relate to the way aluminum differs from copper in hardness, elasticity, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Among other problems, connections failed to exclude air, which caused the aluminum to oxidize. Aluminum oxide is an electrical insulator, and excessive resistance causes overheating at terminals and spices with large, high current loads.

Here is a page which will help you identify aluminum branch circuit wiring in your house, if you have it. (A 2014 house doesn't.)

Solid aluminum branch circuit wiring and polybutylene water pipe (look it up) are two reasons that I'm always skeptical about new, cheaper materials that builders snap up, year after year, so they can increase the profit they make on their houses.

Huh? lol

Tracey will be back to change that post to spam.........................

Why would someone consider this old post "spam"?

Spammer has been eradicated, that's why you do not see it @mtvhike

You need to assess your strength and decide whether you will be replacing aluminum wiring in the apartment on your own or still need to call a specialist. This is a stick with two ends. On the one hand, there are no special difficulties in wiring the line, but on the other hand, you will need a special tool, calculations, and certain skills for working with electricity. If you still want to try your hand at electrical wiring, feel free to take on this job.

"Tracey will be back to change that post to spam........................."

I repeat.............