Eight Electrical Upgrades You Should Consider Having Your Electrician Do When Remodelling Your Home | Conway, SC

5/6/2020

Photo By Travis McElhany at Shutterstock

Just because your home’s electrical system is out of sight, doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. In fact, you would do well to remember it next time you’re considering home renovations or remodelling work as there’s a world of possibilities when it comes to getting electrical upgrades to your home, both for your immediate needs while also leaving open some possibilities for the future.

Here are just eight options to consider when remodelling your home, for safety, security, pragmatism as well as aesthetics. Just remember, while you may be considering doing some jobs yourself, try and employ the work of a professional electrician to do any electrical work. Mister Sparky is accustomed to assisting with home improvements and will be able to expertly advise you on your future projects.

1. Install more electrical outlets

If you’ve stuck with the same home for several years then you may have seen your family grow up and expand while living there, while simultaneously outgrowing it as well. A rule of thumb is that the more children you have the more electrical outlets you will need in your home, especially with modern day conveniences and entertainment options, which require more and more plug-in electronics. Remodeling is the optimum time to install some more outlets with the help of an electrician. Target the children’s bedrooms, any home offices, kitchens, and also outdoor spaces for outdoor cooking hoods, barbecue sets, heaters or fans. This is a particularly good idea if you find yourself tripping over electrical extension wires, as well as around the spaghetti junction that surrounds your TV, DVD and cable units.

2. Install GFCIs

Known in full as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, GFCIs are designed to shut off electricity in the event of a ground fault.

These are code requirements in many areas and in Conway, SC, Mister Sparky is familiar with equipping GFCIs in homes a little older than the regulation. If you don’t have a home equipped with GFCIs, get an electrician to replace your outlets with them, a straightforward job that will make your home safer.

3. Give your home an LED face lift

There are many benefits to installing LED lighting. LED lights produce less heat and emit a brighter light while using up less energy. LED lighting is also now much more affordable than it used to be and there is a better variety of LED lighting on offer to buy now too. In fact, modern day LED lights are quite flattering to diverse skin tones. If you’re fond of old school light bulbs, however, you can also purchase LED lights that resemble these classic light bulbs. While you have new lighting on your mind, remember light can also be added in layers and a new lighting plan could be part of your remodelling program. Call Mister Sparky for an electrician who put your plan into practice.

4. Install a surge protector

A surge protector is used on an electrical device and protects it from sudden spikes in voltage. The protector either blocks or restricts the voltage traveling to the device. If you put a surge protector on your electrical panel, however, you can protect a number of devices at once. An electrician can install this for you.

5. Repair old add-on wiring

It may not be the first time you’ve attempted to revisit your electrical wiring, and some older homes are riddled with haphazard and dangerous add-on circuits. These can often cause fires if they’ve been installed without proper grounding or with other errors through an amateur DIY attempt.

A professional from a reputable company like Mister Sparky will be able to rectify your old add-on circuit work. If you live in the area, give us a call before you pursue the rest of your renovation work and we can put together an electrical wiring plan for you.

6. Implement a security system

Motion sensor lighting can be an effective intruder deterrent and can be installed by an electrician pre burglary . Subtle enough not to alarm the neighbors, yet it will give any unwelcome guests enough of a fright to scare them off. The sensors detect movement, which trigger the lights to come on. It may also be comforting to know that it won’t be dark when you get home as they can be wired to come on, as you enter your hall or step on to the porch.

7. Pigtail your aluminium wiring with copper

Some homes may have aluminium wiring as the compound was considered a good conductor of electricity. But often aluminium wiring can lead to overheating. Nowadays, copper is preferred, and it also conducts almost 40 percent more electricity than aluminum. But the risks associated with aluminium wiring can be mitigated by splicing the aluminium wires and attaching copper wiring, which will stop your electrical panel from overheating. You can also completely replace the aluminium wring with copper wiring. Do not attempt this by yourself and ask an electrician to look into this for you.

8. Take out your baseboard heaters

If you’re modernising your home, you may well be looking to eject your old baseboard heaters and either replacing them or something else may be set to take their place. Either way, a certified electrician should be carrying out the handiwork for you so they can remove the circuit board and eliminate the risk of having live wires stuck behind the wall, which can lead to a fire, for instance. It will also provide capacity for any additional outlets you want installed as you carry out renovations.

There’s plenty of food for thought there and if you want a quick chat to talk through your requirements, Mister Sparky in Conway, SC, is available any time of day, any day of the week to give your projects due consideration. Call us today for a local electrician you can trust.