When it comes to renovating your property, your first thoughts may not immediately turn to your home’s electrical systems. However, with an increased focus on energy efficiency and the rise of smart technology in today’s homes, upgrading your electrical systems can offer a noticeable improvement in convenience and potential savings. Here are the top electrical upgrades every mum should consider before undertaking a renovation project.
Employ Professional Electricians
Before embarking on any project that involves your home’s electrical system, the first crucial step is to start looking for an electrician. Electricity is not a do-it-yourself playground; not only dealing with it can be potentially hazardous if mishandled, it also requires a level of knowledge and expertise that you, as a homeowner and mum, may not have.
Professional electricians have the right training, tools, and experience to perform any electrical tasks safely and efficiently. They can efficiently assess the current capabilities of your electrical system and advise on what upgrades may be necessary. This is especially essential when planning for a renovation since you may be adding new appliances or fixtures that may require higher electrical load.
Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
The electrical panel, also known as the consumer unit or fuse box, is the heart of your home’s electrical system. As you plan your renovation and start adding more appliances or power outlets, you need to ensure that your electrical panel can handle the increased load.
Older panel boxes might only be rated for 60-100 amps, which may not be sufficient to power modern appliances and gadgets altogether. Upgrading your panel box to handle 200 amps can cater to a modern family’s power-consuming appliances like air conditioning units, electric vehicles, and smart home devices all running simultaneously.
Updating Outlets and Switches
Another important electrical update is your outlets and switches, which can frequently become overlooked amidst the excitement of new paint, flooring, and fixtures in a renovation. While white plastic may be the default, consider upgrading to more stylish brushed metal finishes or consider outlets with USB ports built in for convenient phone or tablet charging.
If you have children, it’s also wise to fit safety shutters or covers to your power outlets. Childproofing your sockets will help ensure that curious little fingers are kept at bay.
Installing LED Lighting
LED lighting is a crucial upgrade, primarily due to its energy efficiency compared to the more traditional lighting options. While the outlay may be slightly higher initially, the long-term savings on energy bills and the longer lifespan of LED bulbs can make it a worthwhile investment.
Additionally, incorporating smart LED lighting can give you greater control over your lighting and allow you to create different atmospheres in each room or area of your house. You can also hook LED smart lights up to your mobile devices and alarms, allowing you to manage your home’s lighting from anywhere.
Integrating Home Automation
Home automation is another electrical upgrade to consider before beginning your renovation. Home automation systems can control lighting, heating, entertainment systems and security alarms, all from a centralised system. This can make managing your home much easier and more efficient.
For instance, connecting your heating and lights to an automation system will allow you to control them wirelessly, often via a smartphone app. You can ensure your home is warm and lit when you arrive, but also save energy by turning them off when the house is empty.
To conclude, your house renovation is not just about changing wall colours, refurnishing, or rearranging furniture. It’s also about creating a safer, more functional, and efficient living space. Remember, these electrical upgrades should only be done by professional electricians, so consider this in your renovation budget. With some clever planning and professional help, you can tackle your home makeover project confidently, knowing your home is electrically updated and ready for the years ahead.