The Essentials of Electrical Remodeling
Old wiring can become faulty at best and hazardous at worst.
When renovating or remodeling a home or office, the electrical requirements are often overlooked or neglected. Electric remodeling extends far beyond adding a few more outlets and is vital to the safety and efficiency of any project. Attention to these essential areas is vital to prevent power surges, sparking, and blackouts.
Backup power
Many modern homes are installed with alternate energy sources to deal with blackouts. Be it solar paneling on the roof or a generator in the garage, how these devices connect to a building's circuit and what they'll power should all be considered before making a decision.
Replace wiring
Old wiring can become faulty at best and hazardous at worst. Left unattended, faulty wiring can cause short circuits, sparking, and even fires. When remodeling a room, check the condition of the current wiring. Manually replacing wires can be dangerous, and using a professional electrician for the job is highly recommended.
Smart homes
Recent technological advances have enabled more appliances and devices to utilize smart technologies, which are controllable from any smart device. While convenient, these draw more power than older models. Ensure that the electrical panel is up to the task. Certain options like surveillance cameras, temperature control, and smart locks are complex and need professional help to install them properly.
Replace the electrical panel
Electrical panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Technology has also changed since the last panel installation. Many now rely on circuit breakers rather than fuses, for example. Modern appliances can also be a bigger drain on an old electrical panel, increasing the risk of circuit overloading and blackouts. When remodeling, make sure the electrical panel can handle the increased loads.
Work with the building
A renovation is a chance to assess the role of lighting and electronics in a new home or office. South-facing rooms often receive more consistent light throughout the day and can benefit from less lighting. An east- or west-facing room may need more lighting for only half the day.
Fresh paint jobs can also impact the overall quality of a room's lighting. With a freshly whitewashed wall, the same lights may become blinding. Another thing to consider is function. An office or game room may need more outlets than a simple bedroom.
Follow the code
When things go wrong with electricity, the results can be deadly. Building codes are there for safety reasons and can act as guidelines when, for example, deciding on the placement and number of outlets in a room. Kitchens and bathrooms have particularly stringent guidelines on the placement of outlets. They may require ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) or arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to be up to code.
A well-known example of this is the National Electronic Code (NEC). Many municipalities and states have additional guidelines for remodeling, which a licensed electrician should be familiar with. So, always choose to work with an expert for all electrical remodeling.
ACT Electric is a full-service residential and commercial electrical contractor company specializing in electrical installation, repairs, and upgrades, electrical troubleshooting, electrical remodeling, electrical home inspection, and electrical retrofitting. We always prioritize customer comfort and safety. Give us a call at (480) 986-1722 today!
