Electrical Upgrades That Are a Smart Investment

If you are thinking about renovating your house, you should be thinking about how you can upgrade your electrical system, too. However, even if you are not about to undergo a whole-home renovation, you may still want to consider some electrical upgrades that are a smart investment. Find out how you can strengthen your electrical system’s performance and increase your property value with upgrades from our experienced electricians at A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical.

7 Electrical Improvements to Consider Making in Your Home

1. Electrical Panel: Your electrical panel is basically the heart of your electrical system, where all the power in your house runs through. As a result, it is essential to have a working electrical panel for the rest of your electrical equipment to function. The average electrical panel can last between 20-45 years, though if you do not know how old your electrical panel is, you should consider having it inspected. Between the 1960s and 1980s, many homes across the country were constructed with Federal Pacific Electric and Zinsco brand panels. These panels were later linked to malfunctions including fires and electrocutions, so it is important to upgrade your equipment right away if you have a Zinsco or FPE panel in your house. At A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we offer electrical panel replacements to fit your modern needs. Watch out for flickering lights and frequent outages, as these can be a sign of a panel problem. And speaking of panel problems, you may also want to upgrade your fuse box to a…
2. Circuit Breakers: Circuit breaker panels and fuse boxes essentially do the same thing. Both circuit breaker and fuses are designed to interrupt the flow of current in your system, shutting a circuit down so it does not get overloaded. The difference is that with a fuse box, every time you blow a fuse, you have to replace it. Moreover, fuse boxes have been shown to be less efficient, and less compatible with modern electrical systems. That’s why for your safety and convenience, it’s usually just better to upgrade to a circuit breaker panel.
3. Interior Lighting: There are a lot of places in your home where you may want to make lighting upgrades, especially if you are undergoing a remodel. In the kitchen, for instance, new lighting can give your appliances a fresher look, while in the bathroom, replacing old fixtures with new ones can add a sleek, modern style. Whether your fixtures look outdated or can no longer support energy-efficient/LED lights, calling for a lighting upgrade may help improve the look of your home and make it more appealing for when it comes time to put it on the market.
4. Exterior Lighting: Even more so than lighting upgrades indoors, making lighting upgrades to the exterior of your home is all about increasing curb appeal. Putting in new fixtures, installing recessed lighting or patio lighting, or even upgrading your home with security lights is a great way to make a potential homebuyer interested in your property.
5. Outlets & Switches: Upgrading your outlets and switches is not only inexpensive, it’s also a great way to improve the aesthetics of your property and the functionality of your electrical system. Plus, by installing new outlets and switches, an electrician can also take a look at—
6. Wiring/Appliances: Having trouble using more than one appliance at the same time?Finding that removing even small appliances will trip a circuit breaker? Your problem could be a wiring issue. Having parts of your home rewired, in addition to installing new, high-efficiency appliances, is one of the best ways to ensure that your electrical equipment remains safe and operational for years to come. You may also want to consider whole-home surge protection, so your devices are never affected by sudden power surges.
7. Ceiling Fans: “What can an extra ceiling fan do?”, you may be thinking. Well, the answer is quite a lot, actually. In addition to improving the aesthetic value of any room, installing a ceiling fan is a great way to save money on AC costs. Not only do they make a good alternative on days when you don’t need the full blast of your air conditioner, they also help your air conditioning unit work better, distributing air more evenly so your system doesn’t have to work as hard, and you don’t have to pay as much in utility bills.

To get started on your next electrical upgrade, call A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical today at (503) 694-3396, or contact us online.