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It’s important to consider what improvements will enhance your quality of life and your home’s resale value when deciding which upgrades are worth the investment.
Upgrading your electrical system will often save you money in utility costs while creating value for potential buyers in the future.
Here are seven electrical upgrades to increase your home’s value and make life a little easier.
Installing a Whole-House Fan
If you live in a temperate climate, you likely experience a period when neither heat nor air conditioning is necessary during the spring and fall. Depending on your home’s layout, this fringe season could pose challenges with airflow— even with the windows open.
According to an expert Westport electrician, installing a whole-house fan is the perfect solution for this issue. These fans are installed in the attic and draw stale air up and out of the house.
This updraft helps pull the fresh air in when the windows are open. Installing a whole-house fan can help improve the airflow while cutting back on home heating and cooling costs.
Adding More Outlets
Older homes were built during a time when electronics weren’t as prevalent as they are today. As such, many older homes are lacking in outlets. Consider the fact that before the 2000s, people didn’t own as many things to recharge.
Families typically shared one computer and perhaps had a few televisions and radio. Add a few outlets for lamps, and that was good enough.
Adding more outlets is a simple-yet-effective way to increase your home’s appeal to a buyer while improving your quality of life. Work with a skilled electrician to determine whether your existing panel can handle more outlets or if additional upgrades will be necessary.
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Upgrading the Panel
If your panel is over 15 years old or still has fuses, it might be time for an upgrade. While panels are built to last up to 25 years, the increased electrical needs of the modern era might have made your panel obsolete before its time.
If you notice flickering lights or short circuit outlets when you have multiple things running, it’s probably time for a panel upgrades. Similarly, if your panel shows signs of rust or degradation, it’s essential to have an electrician investigate as soon as possible to prevent a fire.
Adding Recessed Outlets
In addition to adding new outlets, you can also install recessed outlets. Rather than sitting flush with the wall, these outlets are set back a few inches so you can set your furniture tight against the wall without damaging your plugs.
Many modern kitchen designs also have pop-up outlets set into countertops or outlet strips installed along the bottom of upper cupboards to optimize storage and functionality.
Having outlets installed in drawers is another modern design innovation but isn’t up to code in some areas. Talk to an electrician about your options.
Installing USB or Smart Outlets
Rather than sticking with traditional outlets, consider adding some USB or smart home outlets to modernize your home. Smart outlets allow you to control your devices and appliances remotely, setting timers for things like coffee pots and lamps.
USB outlets eliminate the need for charging blocks to make device charging simple. Add a few of these in the bedrooms to increase the value of your home.
Installing Smart Home Energy Monitors
Have you ever received your power bill and felt shocked at your consumption rate? A smart home energy monitoring device keeps you informed about your consumption between billing periods to be financially and mentally prepared or alter your habits accordingly.
There are several types of smart home energy monitors, ranging from simple outlet monitors to full-house systems with appliance recognition.
Using these monitors is a powerful way to audit your consumption and use the data to create a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Sustainability is an important consideration among modern homebuyers.
Adding Solar Panels
While converting your home entirely to self-sustained solar power is a significant undertaking, adding a few solar panels as supplementary power is not.
Consider adding a few solar panels to help power your home or garage to help reduce your utility bills. This simple upgrade will pay for itself as utility costs continue to rise.
With these seven electrical upgrades, you can increase your house’s resale value while enjoying the benefits until it’s time to move on.
