Here is a list highlighting just a few of the most beneficial electrical upgrades for summer and the benefits they can bring to your home.
While most homeowners tend to focus on making improvements outside of the house during this time of year, it is important not to forget about the inside of your home as well, along with the many different aspects that help to provide your home with the level of comfort and convenience you and your family have come to enjoy. Your electrical system, in particular, is one of the many interior aspects of your home that can benefit from a bit of upgrading during the summer months.
Upgrade Your Ceiling Fans
If you are like most homeowners, chances are that you will be running your air conditioning system almost nonstop this summer. All of that work can put a serious strain on your A/C, and it pays to give it all the help it can get, which is where your ceiling fans come into play. Whether you realize it or not, your ceiling fans play a major role in helping to keep your home cool, and if your ceiling fans are a bit older, or just don’t work as well as they used to, one of the most beneficial electrical upgrades for summer is to go ahead and upgrade them. Upgrading your ceiling fans will not only let you update the look and design of your home, but they will also help you to more effectively cool the common areas of your home, which can be a great help as the temperatures start to soar.
Upgrade or Replace Electrical Outlets
For some living in older homes that were built 30 or more years ago, it might be time to consider upgrading the electrical wiring. Updating original electrical outlets that may be outdated for more modern appliances with increased electrical use is important to keep in mind considering we are using more electrical devices than ever. Upgrading outlets that may not be up to par or as energy-efficient as they could be can be an important step to keeping your home safe.
What are some signs your electrical outlets need to be upgraded or replaced?
- The faceplate is broken, chipped, or cracked
- The slots have loosened
- The plastic of your outlet cover feels warm to the touch – Discontinue use immediately
- The outlet produces electrical shocks – Discontinue use immediately
- The outlet has gone dead
Consider GFI or GFCI Outlets
GFCI’s (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) are meant to protect you from electrical shock.They are typically installed in high traffic areas near kitchen and bathroom sinks. GFCI’s also detect unusual spikes in energy and almost instantly shut off the electricity to prevent you from getting shocked. If you have an older home there are several code requirements. Our certified electricians can help make sure you are up to code and living in a safe environment.
Upgrade or Replace Your Electrical Panel
If you are experiencing any of the following it might be time to replace your electrical panel:
- Lights flicker on and off
- Fuses blow frequently
- Not enough electrical outlets
- Outlets don’t support large appliances such as hot tubs
- Lack of GFI grounded outlets
- No empty spaces in the electrical panel for new appliances
- Crackling noise in the panel box
New Lighting
While new lighting might not always be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of electrical upgrades, it is one of the upgrades that can have the most dramatic effect on your home. Whether you are just looking to update to more efficient lighting solutions in certain areas of your home, or you are looking for a solution that grants you a bit more flexibility in terms of overall lighting design and brightness, like dimmers or track lighting, our team of skilled professionals can help you find the option you’ve been looking for.
Surge Protection
The summer months are no stranger to intense storms every so often, and they can cause their fair share of damage, especially when lightning is involved. If you are looking for a worthwhile electrical upgrade to make for your home this summer, whole home surge protection is definitely an option worth considering. While they won’t stop lightning strikes completely, whole home surge protection will help to blunt their impact, offering a much needed degree of protection for your expensive electronic devices and appliances.
Home Automation
If you’re looking to save some money from energy usage, programmable WiFi thermostats have the potential to help you control and conserve energy consumption. You can monitor or control your heating and cooling system with your smartphone from anywhere and anytime you choose.
Interested in any of these beneficial electrical upgrades for summer? Looking for any other electrical work to be done in your home or business? Call our team of electrical pros at Total Mechanical Systems today and we’ll make them happen!
Source: https://www.advancedelectricalcompany.com/electrical-articles/3-electrical-upgrades-to-make-around-your-home-this-summer.php; https://sanibelair.com/electrical-upgrades-for-your-home-are-perfect-for-summer-projects/
