Written by Rachael Newcombe of envisionup.com
Let’s face it: your electrical panel and wiring isn’t the most exciting thing to talk about when creating your home or renovation plans. But you may get excited when you find out how convenient your day-to-day life would be if you made these electrical upgrades to your home.
1. Safe, Innovative Outlets – and More of Them
We never have enough outlets. To compensate, we load up on power bars and extension cords to get power where we need it. Excessive use of power bars and extension cords can be dangerous and could cause irreversible damage if they catch on fire. Now that you’re making some changes, take the opportunity to add more and safer outlets.
Tip: You’re only allowed to have 12 outlets on a general use power circuit. When creating your plans, we can help you figure out what you need outlets for and where they would be best situated.
Make Sure Your Outlets Have ACFIs or GCFIs
Arc circuit fault interrupters (ACFI) and ground circuit fault interrupters (GCFI) are the key to keeping your electricity traveling safely from the wall to your appliances. They’ll protect you if there’s an arc or too little current (which means you’re getting a nasty shock). These outlets will also reduce your risk of harmful electrical fires.
USB Ports
How many times have you and your family squabbled over whose turn it is to use the outlet adapter for a phone charger? If you install outlets with USB ports, you’ll be able to charge multiple devices without needing excess wall adapters.
Recessed and Hidden Outlets
While it’s great to have an abundance of outlets, they aren’t the most attractive feature in the room. They can also hinder you when you’re trying to set up furniture or appliances.
But now you’ve got the power (pun intended) – so why not try some recessed or hidden outlets? Recessed outlets make it possible to keep your furniture flush against the wall, make your hanging flat-screen more attractive, and maximize your space. You can also ‘hide’ outlets as pop-ups or even camouflage them to match the wall.
More Safety Precautions
Last but not least, you can make your outlets extra safe by installing automatic outlets and safety covers. Automatic outlets turn off when not in use, which actually saves you a little money on electricity. Safety covers protect the little fingers in your family. Both features are excellent upgrades for your home.
2. Make Your Home a Smart One
Smart technology allows you to automate and control aspects of your home through your phone and over the Internet. Working with electricians, like those at Sun Solar & Electrical Ltd. we can create a plan that features the latest in smart technology, including:
- Thermostats
- Doorbells
- Security systems
- Lights
- Appliances
Smart technology makes doing everything from locking your door to adjusting the lights more convenient and can be integrated into your current or new electrical system.
3. A Larger Panel for More Power
Your electrical panel is responsible for distributing power to your home. As your family grows or your needs change, you may find yourself needing more power circuits – and your panel can’t keep up. Whether renovating or building, it is good to evaluate your power needs. For example, you may want to put your living room on its own circuit if you play a lot of video games or have a lot of audio visual equipment.
Tip: If you’re undergoing a renovation, your wiring should be inspected by a professional. Wire insulation can sustain damage over time so it’s important to be aware of what’s going on behind your walls.
4. LED Lighting is the Bright Choice
We’re all slowly transitioning to LED lights – they last longer, reduce costs on our electricity bills, and are good for the environment. A renovation or new build is the chance to make a full transition into a bright, LED future. You can add baseboard lights, rope lights, and various other fixtures that can take advantage of LED technology and create the perfect atmosphere for every room in your house.
5. Surge Suppression for Your Home
The best way to describe a surge is like the waves in the ocean. Typically, waves are consistent and don’t cause any damage. But every once in a while, a really big wave causes big, expensive problems. Surges are spikes in your electricity that can cause expensive damage to your home, and ruin your electronics. Whole-home surge suppression systems help protect you from surges, and keep you and your belongings safe.
6. We’ll Create the Perfect Plan for Your Home
Electrical upgrades to your home are just one piece of the puzzle. We can put the rest together with our custom home plan and renovation design services. Our talented team takes great pride in delivering you the best results while honouring your wants, needs, and budget.
