10 Most Important Home Renovation Electrical Upgrades
All homes, no matter their age, can benefit from an upgraded electrical system. For older homes these benefits include essential safety upgrades that will keep you and your family safe. For newer homes and older homes alike, electrical system upgrades will add increased functionality and usability!
No matter which category your home falls into, these upgrades will serve to boost the resale value of your home and thus are a valuable investment in the future!
This article will look at the different types of electrical upgrades for improving safety and quality of life.
The National Electric Code (NEC): A Moving Target
The National Electrical Code is a set of standards which is updated every few years and provides guidelines for electrical requirements. While the NEC is not federally mandated, the recommendations themselves are widely regarded as the standard for safe and properly functioning electrical systems, which includes circuit breakers, wiring, and outlets.
As a general rule, home electrical safety standards have become more stringent over time. Prior to the 1970s GFCI outlets were not required anywhere in homes, and only required in bathrooms and kitchens during the 1970s.
Today the vast majority of home outlets are required to be protected by GFCI. A similar story is currently being written in regards to AFCI outlets – another type of protective system – with more and more areas being mandated to have this life saving feature.
However, these changing requirements don’t impact existing structures (although they may apply if you are performing major home renovations) and performing these upgrades is simply a good idea, not a legal requirement.
Our Top Home Renovation Electrical Upgrades
GFCIs and AFCI
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are a required safety feature in homes today. From the kitchens to the bathrooms and outdoor areas, GFCIs create a much safer living environment by preventing electrical shock. These outlets are literal life-safers in wet conditions.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) detect a different sort of electrical problem known as ‘arcing.’ While arcs are unlikely to cause electrical shocks, they are a leading cause of electrical fires. Similar to GFCI, AFCIs automatically disconnect the power when they detect unsafe conditions. While GFCI protection is inexpensive and easy to retrofit onto circuits, AFCI protection can be more challenging to add if your home has an older electrical panel. You should talk with your electrician to see if it makes sense to add this feature to your home.
Grounded Outlets
For homeowners that live in homes that pre-date WWII, it’s very likely that your home has plenty of outlets that are ungrounded. Updating these “vintage” two-prong outlets during any remodeling project is an important step for preventing electrical shocks and even electrical fires. Ungrounded outlets are dangerous and should be replaced.
Device Charging Stations
Computers, tablets, smartphones, smart watches, earbuds, and all manner of USB-powered devices are everywhere these days. Our need for more places to recharge seems to grow daily. By installing charging stations, you can free up the existing electrical outlets while also creating great places around the home to easily charge up your devices.
One good option is to install outlets which include built-in USB-chargers. This way the outlet is free for regular use and you can plug in your devices wherever is convenient!
Electrical Panel Updates
By some estimates, the average household today is using 400% more energy today than in the 1960s. For older homes this often means that your electrical panel is operating at, or near capacity, making it difficult to add new electrical appliances.
Replacing your electrical panel is a way to keep up with this increased demand, and can let you replace inefficient gas appliances with electric alternatives, or give you the electrical overhead to charge electrical vehicles.
Electrical Panel Updates
By some estimates, the average household today is using 400% more energy today than in the 1960s. For older homes this often means that your electrical panel is operating at, or near capacity, making it difficult to add new electrical appliances.
Replacing your electrical panel is a way to keep up with this increased demand, and can let you replace inefficient gas appliances with electric alternatives, or give you the electrical overhead to charge electrical vehicles.
Electrical Vehicle Charging Station
More and more electric vehicles are coming onto the market, but most homes do not have the high voltage outlets required for fast charging. We recommend installing at least a 240 volt charging system in your garage, as 120 volt systems can take multiple days to fully recharge a modern electric vehicle!
Electrical Wiring Updates
Homeowners often don’t think of electrical wires as something that needs to be updated, but the simple reality is that every component of your home has a lifespan! Over time, insulation wears out and there’s a much greater chance for electrical shock, power surges, and electrical fires.
When you install new electrical upgrades, it’s also a good time to get your rewiring completed as well. Not only will you save yourself the headache of dealing with repeated power issues, but you’re also making your home much safer as well.
Light Switches
Even though the functionality has been around for a long time, people have once again become interested in installing dimmable switches and sliders. These switches allow for much more control over the ambiance of your home and can be transformative.
There are plenty of choices available: 3-way panel sliders, dimmer switches, button-based switches, and even smart lighting options with their own mobile apps!
Smart Home Features
Speaking of smart lighting options, let’s talk about smart home features in general! These products include a huge array of options including:
- Smart Home Alarm Systems
- Smart Motion Detection Security Lighting
- Smart Door Locks
- Surveillance Cameras
- Smart Doorbell Cameras
- Smart Lighting
- Smart Thermostats
- Smart Outlets
While installing these systems piecemeal is an option, consider planning ahead to ensure that your smart devices work together – ideally within the same app!
Smart Home Features
Speaking of smart lighting options, let’s talk about smart home features in general! These products include a huge array of options including:
- Smart Home Alarm Systems
- Smart Motion Detection Security Lighting
- Smart Door Locks
- Surveillance Cameras
- Smart Doorbell Cameras
- Smart Lighting
- Smart Thermostats
- Smart Outlets
While installing these systems piecemeal is an option, consider planning ahead to ensure that your smart devices work together – ideally within the same app!
Surge Protectors
Truth be told, a simple power strip won’t always protect your household devices. When dealing with a major electrical storm, in fact, the only tried-and-true method to fully protect all of your home’s systems and equipment is through the installation of a whole-house surge protector. If you are updating your breaker panel or are performing major home renovations, this is a perfect time to consider adding this feature to your home.
Smart Smoke Alarms
Yes, another piece of smart home equipment! But this one is important enough to get its own section!
As far as home safety is concerned, smoke alarms are very much at the top of the list. So, what if you could make your home even safer with even better smoke alarm technology. That’s the benefit of smart smoke alarms, because they provide faster, more nuanced detection of dangerous situations.
Also, instead of simply beeping loudly, modern smart fire alarms are able to tell you what sort of problem has been detected. This lets you know if you’re dealing with a low battery, rising levels of carbon monoxide, or a possible fire.
The Best Electrical Upgrades
If you’re considering home renovations or are in the process of remodeling your house currently, then we highly recommend taking a look at your home’s wiring and electrical equipment. Not only will electrical upgrades such as the ones on this list improve your quality of life, but they may even provide extra safety and peace of mind.
Some of these upgrades are a good fit for DIYers, however, we recommend contacting a licensed and insured electrician for any major electrical projects.