It goes without saying that home renovations can be quite costly, but electrical upgrades are often necessary for a variety of reasons. From safety to convenience, there are benefits for homeowners who take on this project that can also prove cost-efficient in the long term.
Here are some of the most common reasons you might choose the electrical upgrade for the system:
Safety- If your wiring or outlets are outdated or damaged, they may not provide enough power to run newer appliances and gadgets safely and you may also be at risk if your electrical system fails. Upgrading will ensure everything is up-to-date so you can rest knowing your home and your family is safe. As upgrading the wiring and outlets around your home is no easy job, it should be noted that this should only be done by qualified personnel, including the electricians near Denver, CO.
Convenience – Electrical upgrades can also make things easier for homeowners. For example, smart homes use technology like voice commands and remote control devices for everyday tasks like controlling lights or adjusting thermostats. Arvada electricians advise that these smart devices will work even better with an upgraded electric system.
Essential Electrical Upgrades for the Home
The following are some of the top electrical upgrades you should consider:
Upgrading outdated outlets
Outlets are one of the most common sources of electrical problems and should be replaced if they are over 20 years old. Outlets before 1996 can not handle today’s high-powered devices such as computers and hair dryers. This means that they are more likely to short out and start a fire.
If you want to upgrade your outlets but don’t know where to start, contact any qualified electrical contractor today! These electricians near Denver can install new outlets in any room of your home within 24 hours.
Install GFCI Outlets in relevant places
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an outlet that detects when electricity leaks to the ground and shuts off power to the outlet or circuit to prevent shock hazards. This is particularly crucial in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens where water might come into contact with electricity. Assuming you own a pool or a spa in your backyard, you should install GFCIs at all outdoor outlets to shut them off so that any accidents involving water and electricity are stopped before they cause harm.
Replace Old Wiring with New Copper Wiring
Installing new copper wiring is a must-have electrical upgrade. Copper wiring is more efficient and safer than older wire types. It also has less resistance and uses less energy so the wires do not get hot when used.
Install Additional Circuit Breaker Panels
If you have an older home or are planning on adding additional circuits in your house, consider installing additional circuit breaker panels instead of using extension cords or power strips with surge protectors. When extension cords become overloaded, they can overheat and start fires almost immediately. For this reason, cords should only be used as a temporary solution until permanent wiring is installed in your home by a professional Arvada electrician.
Upgrading Old Fuses with Circuit Breakers
Fuses are one of the first defenses of circuit protection used in homes and businesses. The problem with fuses, however, is that they can blow or burn out, leaving your home without power. There is also little to no warning when they fail, leaving you in the dark or burning up whatever appliance they’re protecting.
Circuit breakers (also called circuit protectors) are an upgrade from fuses because they’re more reliable and safer. If there’s a problem with an outlet or appliance with a circuit breaker, the breaker trips before any damage is done. You’ll also know right away if there’s any problem with your electrical system because you’ll see the lights go off at that point and the circuit breaker is designed such that it will tell you in which area of the building the problem has occurred This will help prevent fires from starting in your home due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.
Installing Surge Protectors in Your Appliances to Protect Against Power Surges
Surge protectors are another simple way to protect your electronics from power surges and electrical storms. The surge protectors prevent excessive voltage from flowing into your home and causing permanent damage to your appliances. They’re often used for expensive electronics like TVs, computers, microwaves, gaming consoles, etc., but smaller appliances can still benefit from having one installed on them (think coffee pots, blenders, hair dryers, etc.). It’s important to note that not all surge protectors are created equal, so it’s to research them before buying one!
Motion Detectors on Outdoor Lights so that they don’t stay on when there is no movement nearby
If you have motion sensors installed on your outdoor lights, they will only come on when someone is in their vicinity. This is a great sustainable energy and money strategy, but only if installed properly. Many people assume that they can simply plug a motion sensor into an outlet and forget about it, but this isn’t true. To get the best results from your motion sensor, you must ensure it’s placed where it can detect movement at all times. For example, particularly elevated or depressed parts of your property may defect the efficiency of the lights. Obstacles between the sensor and the path of motion can also disrupt the light fixture’s signals.
Install Smoke Detectors and Carbon Dioxide Detectors
Smoke detectors are one of the most important devices in your home because they alert you about fire emergencies before it’s too late. Likewise, carbon dioxide (CO2) detectors can alert you when there’s CO2 buildup in the home. It is paramount to have an electrical contractor properly install these devices on every level of your home to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, everybody is alerted.
Install LED Lights
If you are looking for ways to save on your electric bill, then the best place to start is with your light bulbs. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that they can save money on their electric bills by simply changing out their old incandescent light bulbs for LED lights. The average LED bulb lasts 10 times longer and uses far less power than an incandescent bulb, saving you money in both the long and short term as well as maintaining a green environment.
If you’re considering the electrical upgrades of your system at home, hire an electrical contractor with experience who adheres to local building codes. If the technician does not correctly install the power and wiring upgrades, they can pose serious safety risks and other issues.