Home renovations keep homeowners on their toes. One of the most intriguing parts to consider during renovation is electrical upgrades in your home. This entirely integrated system needs sincere planning and attention.
No matter how many essential renovation tasks you’re wrapped around, you can’t ignore the electrical upgrades at any cost. Or else it may lead to potential safety hazards, inadequate power supply, and missed opportunities for efficiency and convenience.
Let’s find out some important aspects of electrical upgrades during a home renovation. Following is a list of twelve must-do electrical upgrades you don’t want to miss out on learning.
12 Must-Do Electrical Upgrades While Renovating Home
1. Ensuring Safety with Zero Compromise
Safety comes ahead of any further upgrading in your residential electrical system. So, ditch the illusion or excitement and prioritize safety first.
Call a certified electrician Lexington KY or nearby cities like Louisville, Danville, Murray, etc., to conduct a thorough inspection of your existing electrical system. This inspection will help identify any potential electrical hazards, such as outdated or torn wiring, overloaded circuits, or faulty connections.
Addressing these safety concerns should be the first step in your renovation journey.
2. Update Electrical Wiring
Many homeowners carry the mistake of old and outdated wiring in their houses, even during renovation. Outdated wiring may not withstand the functional requirements of the latest home appliances in your newly branded house.
So, go for an upgrade of the wiring, as it will help you attain safety according to updated electrical codes. And renovation could be your only opportunity to do that.
Let’s get to know two common types of residential electrical wiring:
Aluminum Wiring
Most houses built during the 60s or 70s consisted of aluminum wiring. If your house belongs to that era, you must have some concerns. Aluminum may be a good alternative to copper wiring; however, it’s prone to oxidation and overheating.
So, upgrade to copper wiring to safeguard your house. Or else, you may opt for those devices and appliances only suitable for aluminum wiring.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Another safety concern older homes usually carry is knob-and-tube wiring. This old electrical system may not promise standard safety of modern wiring.
Hence, change the knob-and-tube wiring while renovating your house and set an electrical wiring system with a better grounding conductor for higher safety.
3. Increase Outlets and Sockets
It’s never a wise decision to keep fewer outlets and sockets in your house. This poses a risk of power override throughout the wiring system. So, it’s essential to have more sockets and outlets to meet the requirement of modern electrical gadgets and appliances.
Setting enough sockets and outlets will eliminate the use of extension cords while making your home more comfortable.
4. Upgrade to GFCI Outlets
There will always be a risk of electrical hazards in the areas with water exposure, including the kitchen, laundry rooms, bathrooms, etc. Here, GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) could be your safety solution. It’s an advanced electrical safety feature you must equip your house with during renovation.
The most effective safety feature of the GFCI is its ability to shut off the power supply on an instance of any power imbalance.
For instance, if any of your family members is about to get electrocuted, the GFCI installed in the system will cut off the power supply and save the person from any fatal injury.
5. Install USB Outlets
Today, installing USB outlets is one of the key considerations for renovating, whether it’s a residential or commercial space. We can hardly live without constantly charging smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices.
Hence, it’s essential to have USB outlets installed within your rooms. By installing these USB outlets, you won’t need any additional devices like charging bricks or adapters.
Having USB outlets will let you charge your devices and gadgets while keeping your conventional power outlets free from scratches, abrasions, or misplaced pin issues.
6. Consider Smart Home Upgrades
Along with other electrical upgrades during renovation, consider integrating smart home technologies. It may seem expensive; however, these advanced home appliances are energy efficient. Hence, they’re cost-efficient in the long run.
Smart home appliances include smart thermostats, sensor lighting, voice-assisted door locks, etc. Furthermore, you can install automated systems which you can regulate and function from the comfort of your smartphone apps.
7. Upgrade Circuit Breaker Panel
It’s unwise to add more appliances to your renovated home without upgrading the circuit breaker panel. The latest home appliances will require more optimized power supply in order to function smoothly. Or else there may occur constant glitches or electrical hazards.
Go for AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) and thermal-magnetic trip units to keep your home protected from the risks of power overload and short circuits.
8. Consider Energy-Efficient Lighting
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is widespread among all sorts of spaces, including residential and commercial. And when it comes to renovating your house and electrical upgrades, you may switch to an LED lighting system if you haven’t yet.
LED bulbs and lighting are energy efficient and long-lasting. They brighten the rooms without irritating your eyesight. Most LED lights come with zero UV radiation which promises to be healthy for your family members.
Moreover, due to its super energy efficiency, LED lighting could be your ultimate money saver in terms of monthly electricity bills.
9. Outdoor Electrical Upgrades
If your budget allows you to extend the renovation to the outdoor spaces of your house, don’t forget to add outdoor electrical upgrades. Whether it’s your deck, balcony, or patio, upgrading the electrical settings here as well will create a balanced power system in the overall residential space.
Besides, consider adding outdoor power outlets, lighting fixtures, or weatherproof TVs to enhance the enjoyment of your outdoor living areas.
10. Plan for Future Needs
Estimating the future power consumption and impacts on your regular life should be included in your renovation plan. Try to make an education assumption of ten years from now.
Include your future lifestyle, more advanced tech, family size, etc., into the plan to accommodate the required power supply and functions.
11. Consider Whole-Home Surge Protection
We’re becoming more dependent on electronic devices and appliances than ever. With such a rise in the demand of electronic devices, power consumption in your house may come to the point of risk.
The power surges may rise, which may put your family at risk. Power surges can result from switching on high-power electrical equipment within your home. Furthermore, lightning strikes or utility grid fluctuations may contribute to this phenomenon.
You mustn’t take power surges lightly, as they can damage sensitive electronics and appliances. Ultimately, it may lead to costly repairs or replacements.
12. Energy Monitoring and Management Systems
Don’t break your bank while opting for electrical upgrades. Besides, show some concern about the environment around your house. Remember, energy costs are rising every other day; it’s unpredictable. Thus there should be prudence during energy consumption as well.
Adapt to energy monitoring and management systems to control your power consumption and monthly bills. Such systems reduce the wastage of energy and optimize the power supply for maximum energy utilization.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation and electrical upgrades go hand in hand nowadays. However, whatever upgrades you do, keep the safety issue on top of your priority list.
Keep a significant portion of your budget for modern electrical systems. This will improve the functionality, convenience, and energy efficiency of your home.
Don’t rely on uncertified or inexperienced electricians and contractors to ensure that your electrical upgrades are done codewise. Thus, you’ll create a safe, comfortable, and modern living space for years to come.
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