Electrical Wiring Considerations for Your Home Renovation

Many Houston homeowners have decided that 2020 is the year to renovate and remodel their homes. After all, most of us are staying home now more than ever due to work-from-home and social distancing guidelines. And since home is the place to be, it may as well be the place we like to be.

Electrical wiring upgrades and remodels are rarely foremost in the mind of a homeowner during a home renovation. That’s because your electrical system is mostly located behind your home’s walls and in your attic. So, it’s easy to overlook when remodeling. But, there are some things worth considering during your home renovation.

Pesky and Inconvenient Electrical Issues

Most people tend to think of electrical problems as ones that are dangerous and can cause a fire. And while that’s definitely something that prompts a homeowner to have their electrical system inspected, some electrical issues are just inconvenient. Like not having enough outlets to cover your family’s needs.

The older your home is, the fewer outlets it’s likely to have. As your family gets bigger and your children grow, your family’s electrical requirements will grow with you. Consider how many electronics our families use today.

Whether it’s multiple computers and laptops, video gaming systems, televisions, those nifty kitchen gadgets, or even your outdoor space, the truth is, you can never have enough outlets. You’ve probably encountered at least one incidence that left you frustrated because you didn’t have an outlet where you needed one.

If you’re using extension cords and power strips just for everyday use, it’s time for an electrical upgrade. An electrical contractor can help you get outlets where you need them.

Other Electrical Issues

Some electrical problems signal a need for an electrical upgrade.

Ill-fitting Sockets

An insufficient number of outlets isn’t the only type of problem you can encounter with wall sockets. Sometimes outlets are too tight or too loose. That is, you might plug in an electronic device, and it falls out of the socket too easily.

Or, you may go to plug one in, and it’s hard to get into the socket. Neither of these is optimal. An outlet should easily grip the end of a plug once it’s plugged in the holes. But it shouldn’t be so easy that it hangs out of the receptacle.

Sometimes a clip in a socket wears out. It’s not only frustrating, but it’s also dangerous. It can spark, shock you or someone else in your family, or even cause a fire. If you notice sockets that are too tight or too loose, have an electrician change them out soon before they cause an even bigger problem.

Outdated Panels

When you have outdated panels, it limits the space to add more circuits, or there are fuses instead. Older panels also simply wear out and need an upgrade.

If your home was built last century, chances are it needs an electric upgrade to bring it to capacity. Homes towards the end of the 20th century didn’t have quite so many electronics or any of the newer appliances most homes have today.

Homes built before the year 2000 should have had an upgrade by now, and if yours hasn’t, it’s probably a good idea to see to getting one.

Inadequate Grounding

There’s a good chance that if you’re renovating your home, it will be required that your home’s electrical system be brought up to code. Some older homes, in particular, have inadequate electrical wiring.

One of the most common requirements is that your home has adequate grounding, such as with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, or GFCIs. They’ll automatically turn the power off when water gets mixed in with a plugged-in appliance.

GFCIs are commonly meant for use in kitchens and bathrooms, but many older homes don’t have them. Our electricians can switch your outlets out for you when you’re renovating and make sure GFCIs are installed where it makes sense to do so.

Old Electrical Wiring

If your home could be considered vintage or somewhat of an antiquity in and of itself, then the wiring is probably ancient too.

You probably already realize in that case that new electrical wiring is in order during your remodel. If you’re doing some serious remodel where you have to break open some of the walls, upgrading your electrical wiring will be even easier, and an electrician can bring you up to speed.

The Takeaway

Renovating your home is about more than aesthetics. It’s also about creating a more functional home for you while considering safety factors, particularly where your electrical system is concerned.

A home renovation is a perfect time to evaluate for deficiencies in your electrical system. An experienced electrician will not only consider your current needs but your future needs as well.

Contact our experienced electricians at Illuminations Lighting Design to schedule a consultation to determine if your home’s electrical system needs a renovation. We’d love to hear more about your home renovation project and what your home remodel are.