Are arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) worth the cost? Short answer: Absolutely. When Wade Anderson awoke one day to find no electricity in his Sherwood, Oregon, bedroom, he traced it to a burned-out open wire — a fire hazard. He called an electrician to add a new circuit and install arc fault circuit interrupters, also known as AFCI, to his breakers. “Had I installed AFCIs in that bedroom earlier, the bad circuit would have been revealed sooner, avoiding a close call on a fire,” the Angie’s List member says. “Arc faults are more likely as wiring ages, so AFCIs are a wise upgrade for older homes.” Experts say AFCI breakers can prevent fire hazards by cutting off power in the breaker box as soon as they detect the “electric signature” — sharp spikes and drops in voltage — that indicate a fault. Arc faults occur when electricity discharges at unintended points, such as corroded or loose wires, creating dangerous sparks or excessive heat. […]