Convenient Electrical Upgrades To Consider For An Old Home

Many old homes have inadequate electrical systems. Even when the electrical system in an old home is working, you are likely to spot deficiencies that an upgrade can cure. Below are some upgrades to consider for your old home.

Smart Installations Smart electrical fixtures connect to the internet for remote control or integration with other devices. Smart fixtures are relatively new, so many old houses don't have them. Below are some of the smart fixtures available today:

• Smart outlets that you can switch on and off remotely
• Smart light fixtures that change colors in addition to supporting remote control
• Smart power strips that support remote control of appliances or devices plugged in them

Some smart fixtures are programmable for automatic controls. For example, you can program some smart light fixtures to switch on or off at specific times. Note that smart electrical systems are not just convenient — they also have security and efficiency benefits. For example, you can switch off your electrical appliances remotely to conserve energy use.

Additional Outlets Many people accumulate electrical devices and appliances over the years. Many builders of yesteryears did not consider how much our electrical needs would grow over the years. Thus, an old home is likely to have far fewer outlets than you need.

You need additional outlets if that is the case with your house. For one, limited electrical outlets encourage permanent use of electrical extensions, which increase the risk of circuit overload. Secondly, limited outlets inconvenience you by forcing you to plug your devices in turns (for example, when charging).

Use the renovation opportunity to install different types of outlets. For example, you can install:

• USB outlets for charging devices
• High-power outlets for large appliances that draw a lot of current or voltage
• Tamper-resistant outlets that children cannot access
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets that cut off power in the case of a power surge in the circuit
• Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlets that cut off power in the case of an electrical arc in the circuit

Your electrician can advise you on which outlets suit your circumstances best.

Electrical Panel The electrical panel is the distribution board for all the electrical power in your house. The panel houses the circuit breakers or fuses that channel electricity to different circuits in the house. The electrical panel has a maximum power rating. The electrical breaker or fuse slots are also limited.

Thus, an old electrical panel might not provide you with the power you need. Don't forget that old homes did not use as much power as homes today do. Overloading your electrical system can cause frequent breaker trips. Upgrading the panel to have a higher capacity will clear the inconvenience.

Power Backup Hookup People rely more and more on electricity these days. Many people need electricity to:

• Stay connected to their friends and loved ones
• Heat or cool their homes
• Entertain themselves
• Work
• Cook and warm food

A power blackout won't upend your life if you have a power backup system. You can use:

• A solar and battery system
• A battery system that you charge on the mainline
• A standby generator

You can, and should, connect the backup system to your home's electrical panel. That way, you won't need electrical extension cords in the event that the power goes out. You can even use a backup system that automatically switches on if the main power line goes out. An electrician can configure your backup to provide power to the whole house or designated parts of the house during a blackout.

Upgrading your electrical system may make it more secure, robust, and convenient. Contact Reinhold Electric Inc to inspect your electrical system and help you make the upgrades you need or want.