9 Most Important Home Renovation Electrical Upgrades
Whether you’re in the process of renovating your home or upgrading an older house, it might be beneficial to upgrade your electrical system. Not only will this provide increased functionality and usability, but it can also ensure that your home meets all the recommended safety standards and guidelines. In addition, homes with electrical upgrades can actually raise the resale value of your home, so it’s also an investment in the future.
Though most people don’t know this, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated every three years to incorporate updated guidelines for electrical requirements regarding residential properties. Even though these are not legally required, the recommendations themselves are widely regarded as the standard for safe and properly functioning electrical systems, which includes circuit breakers, wiring, and many outlets.
A home that has old or poor wiring can end up being a potential safety hazard in the form of electrical fires and electric shock. Less dangerous, though still very frustrating, are power surges, blackouts, brownouts, and repeated circuit breaker tripping.
With all of this in mind, it’s worth looking at the different types of electrical upgrades available, as well as electrical ideas for new homes, and the home electrical upgrades most likely to increase your home’s value and your family’s quality of life.
9 Most Important Home Renovation Electrical Upgrades
Outlets
For homeowners that live in older houses, it’s very likely that the home has plenty of outlets that are both out of date and lack the proper ground wire. Updating these “vintage” two-prong outlets during a remodeling phase may help to keep electrical shocks from happening, along with power surges and even electrical fires.
GFCI’s
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s) have become a crucial addition/replacement in homes today. From the kitchens to the bathrooms and outdoor areas, GFCI’s can create a much safer living environment. Instead of having your breaker trip, GFCI’s switch off instantly when an outlet comes into contact with any moisture to better prevent electrical shock and, as a result, fire. Because of this, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are actually official home electrical requirements in new construction and renovations.
Charging Stations
Computers and smartphones are everywhere these days. Tablets, too. The 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.
Electrical Panel Updates
By some estimates, the average household today is using 30% to 50% more energy than in the past. Because of this, the electrical panels in your house need to be upgraded to keep up with the increased demand. By installing a new breaker box and electrical panel, you’re investing in your present and your future at the same time.
Electrical Wiring Updates
For older homes, the wiring may not have been updated in years, if not decades. Because of this, 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 sliders. Electricity will run the same to these types of light switches, of course, but they allow for much more control over the total ambiance in a particular space. And there are plenty of choices available: 3-way panel sliders, dimmer switches, and even smart lighting options.
Smart Home Features/Upgrades
Which brings us to our next point: smart home features. If you want to really go for the latest and greatest in some might consider “electrician gadgets,” then you should really consider some of these smart home options, many of them complete with smartphone apps to help you get the most from the upgrade:
- Smart Home Alarm Systems
- Smart Door Locks
- Surveillance Cameras
- Smart Doorbell Camera
- Smart Lighting
- Smart Thermostats and Temperature Control
- Smart Outlets
- Smart Motion Detection Security Lighting
Naturally, the cost to upgrade house electrical system will rise with the addition of each smart home system, but the advantages and benefits are often worth the price of admission:
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 whole-house surge protection measures. Home renovations offer the perfect time to consider adding this solution to your home.
Smart Smoke Alarms
Yes, more 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 subtle detection of increased temperatures — sometimes even more fire or smoke are present in the area.
To make your home the safest space possible, installing smart smoke alarm systems alongside your new household remodeling project could be a great decision. Who knows? It might even save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Conclusion
If you’re considering new construction, home renovations, or even 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 security, which is, ultimately, truly priceless. Get in touch with us by phone or email to have one of our locally trained electricians help you decide on the right home electrical upgrades today.