Planning a remodel in Garfield Heights? Home renovation is an exciting time. You get to pick out new colors, fixtures, and change the layout. But while you are thinking about how things look, dont forget what is behind the walls. The electrical system is like the heart of your home, pumping power to everything. Making electrical upgrades during your remodel is one of the smartest things a homeowner can do.
Upgrading your electrical system is a great investment for safety, especially in older homes. It also makes your house work better for modern life and can raise your property value. Before any work starts, it is good to know about the National Electric Code, or NEC. The NEC is a set of safety rules for electrical work. A licensed professional electrician, like the team at Atomic Electric & Generators Inc., knows these rules by heart. They make sure all electrical improvements are done safely.
1. Safety First: Install GFCI & AFCI Outlets
What are GFCI outlets? Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are special outlets that protect you from electric shock. They are needed in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. If an appliance like a hairdryer falls into water, the GFCI outlet shuts off the power instantly. This can save a life.
What are AFCI outlets? Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters protect against fires. An “arc fault” is a spark that can happen if a wire is old or damaged. These sparks are very hot and can start a fire inside your walls. AFCI outlets detect these dangerous sparks and shut off the power. They are great for bedrooms and living rooms. Installing both types of outlets are a key part of any electrical remodel.
A homeowner’s perspective: Many people don’t think about their outlets until something goes wrong. Upgrading to GFCI and AFCI outlets is a simple peace-of-mind project. Knowing your family is protected from the most common electrical dangers is a great feeling, especially when you have kids in the house. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference in safety.
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2. Modernize Power Access: Upgrade to Grounded, Three-Prong Outlets
Many older homes in Garfield Heights have outlets with only two slots. This is a problem because these two-prong outlets dont have a ground wire. The ground wire is a safety feature that protects people from shock and electronics from damage. There is many risks with ungrounded outlets. Replacing them with modern, three-prong grounded outlets is a critical electrical update for safety. This isn’t just swapping the plastic cover; it often means a residential remodel electrician needs to run new, safer wiring.
A homeowner’s perspective: Trying to use modern electronics with old two-prong outlets is frustrating. You have to use those little adapters that are easy to lose and can be wobbly. More important, you are putting expensive devices like TVs and computers at risk without a proper ground. A home wiring update to three-prong outlets makes every room more useful and safer.
3. Protect Your Entire Home: Add a Whole-House Surge Protector
Are power strips enough to protect my home? The answer is no. A small power strip can’t stop a big power surge from a lightning strike or a problem on the power line. A big surge can damage your refrigerator, computer, TV, and furnace all at once. A whole-house surge protector is installed at your main electrical panel and shields every electronic device in your home. The best time to add one is during a larger electrical renovation, especially if you are already thinking about professional electrical panel upgrades.
Pro Tip: Think of a whole-house surge protector as insurance for all of your electronics. You only need it to work once to pay for itself many times over. It’s an invisible improvement that works 24/7 to protect the expensive appliances and devices you rely on every day.
4. Enhance Safety Alerts: Switch to Smart Smoke Alarms
A regular smoke alarm makes a loud noise. But what if you’re not home? Smart smoke alarms connect to your Wi-Fi and send an alert to your phone if they detect smoke or carbon monoxide. This benefit gives you a huge advantage. You know about dangers right away, even when you’re at work or on vacation. Some can even tell you which room the danger is in. This home electrical upgrade brings peace of mind.
A homeowner’s perspective: The best thing about smart smoke alarms is no more annoying 3 AM chirping for a low battery. The app just tells you when a battery needs changing. And getting an alert on your phone when you’re out gives you precious time to call for help, protecting your pets and your property.
5. Declutter and Charge Efficiently: Create Dedicated Device Charging Stations
Our lives today are full of devices that need charging. Phones, tablets, watches. This can lead to a mess of cords and adapters on your counters. There is a simple solution for this problem. During your electrical renovations, you can install outlets that have USB-A and USB-C charging ports built right in. The ideal locations for these are kitchen islands, home offices, and next to beds. It’s one of the best electrical ideas for a modern home.
Pro Tip: When planning your remodel, think about where your family naturally gathers and charges their devices. Putting a charging outlet there makes it a central hub. It’s a small detail that makes daily life much more organized.
6. Power Your Modern Life: Update Your Electrical Panel
When should I upgrade my electrical panel? You should look for signs you need an upgrade. If your lights flicker, you trip breakers often, or your panel is over 25 years old, it is time. Many older homes have panels that can’t handle the power needs of today. A new 200-amp panel can safely support all your new appliances and electronics. Atomic Electric & Generators Inc. has performed countless panel updates and has the know-how to do it right. An electrical panel is the heart of your electrical system upgrades.
A homeowner’s perspective: An old electrical panel is like trying to use a tiny straw to drink a big milkshake. It just can’t keep up. Upgrading the panel means you can run the air conditioner and the microwave at the same time without worrying about the lights going out.
7. Future-Proof Your Transportation: Install an EV Charging Station
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular. What is a Level 2 Charger? It is a 240-volt charging station that can charge an EV much faster than a standard wall outlet. You can get a full charge overnight. Why install it during a remodel? It is much easier and costs less to run the new electrical line when walls are already open for other parts of your project. This is a fantastic home electrical upgrade that prepares your home for the future.
Pro Tip: Even if you don’t own an EV now, installing the wiring for a charger during a remodel is a smart move. It becomes a great selling feature for your home in the future, showing that the house is modern and ready for new technology.
8. Control Your Ambiance: Modernize Your Light Switches
Light switches can do more than just turn lights on and off. There are a couple great options. Dimmer switches let you control the brightness of a room. You can set the mood for a quiet evening or have a bright light for working. Smart switches connect to your Wi-Fi. You can control your lights with your phone or your voice. You can also set schedules, which is great for security. Changing your switches is an easy electrical update with a big impact.
A homeowner’s perspective: We love our dimmer switches in the dining room and family room. It makes the house feel so much cozier. And the kids love being able to turn their lights on and off by talking to the smart speaker. It’s a fun and practical upgrade.
9. Address Hidden Dangers: Replace Old and Faulty Wiring
Some older homes have risky wiring types, like knob-and-tube or old aluminum wiring. Why replace it? The insulation on old wires can become brittle and crack over time. This creates a serious fire and shock risk. A complete wiring upgrade is a fundamental safety project. It stops problems before they start and makes your home’s power more reliable. When planning the electrical work for your remodel, new wiring should be a top consideration.
A homeowner’s perspective: Discovering our home had old wiring was scary. The decision to replace it during our renovation was the best one we made. Now, we don’t worry when we plug things in, and our insurance company was happy about it too.
10. Plan for Tomorrow: Prepare for a Smart Home
Even if you are not ready for a fully smart home today, you can get ready for it. The strategy is to run wires for things you might want later. What to run? An electrician can run network cables for faster internet, speaker wire for a sound system, or extra circuits for security cameras. Doing this during a renovation saves a lot of money and messes down the road. It’s a smart way to think about your electrical improvements.
Pro Tip: Talk to your electrician about your future plans. Do you dream of a home theater in the basement? Want security cameras outside? Tell them your ideas, and they can help you plan the wiring so you are ready when the time comes.
What are the signs my home needs an electrical upgrade?
You should call an electrician if you see these signs:
- Lights that flicker or go dim.
- Circuit breakers trip all the time.
- Outlets or switches feel warm when you touch them.
- You hear a buzzing sound from your outlets or panel.
- You still have old two-prong outlets.
Is it worth it to upgrade the wiring in an older house?
Yes. A home wiring update is worth it for three big reasons. It makes your home much safer from fire. It gives your home the capacity to run modern appliances. And it absolutely does updating electrical increase home value. Buyers want a home that is safe and up-to-date.
How long does a major electrical renovation take?
It depends on the job. Replacing a few outlets can take an hour or two. A full panel upgrade might take a day. A complete rewire of a house is a bigger job that could take a week. Atomic Electric & Generators Inc. works with you to make a schedule that fits your project.
What electrical work can a homeowner do?
The list of what electrical work can a homeowner do is very short. For safety and to follow the law, most jobs must be done by a licensed electrician. This protects you from shock, fire, and problems with inspections. Don’t take chances with your family’s safety. The team at Atomic Electric & Generators Inc. has many years of experience.
A Smart Investment in Your Garfield Heights Home
Electrical upgrades are a foundational part of a great renovation. They provide safety, convenience, and add value to your Garfield Heights home. For projects big and small, it is important to have a trusted partner. For all your home electrical repairs, you can count on Atomic Electric & Generators Inc.. They are your trusted Garfield Heights electricians and can even discuss backup generator solutions to keep the lights on.