Upgrading Your Older Home: A Guide to Adding More Outlets

Are you tired of constantly tripping over extension cords and struggling to find enough outlets to charge all your gadgets? If you live in an older home, this is a common frustration. Luckily, there are ways to add more outlets to your older home without breaking the bank or causing major renovations.

Assess Your Current Electrical System

The first step in adding more outlets to your older home is to assess your current electrical system. This will help determine if your house can handle the additional load of new outlets. It's important to note that older homes often have outdated wiring that may not be up to code or safe for modern electrical needs.

Plan the Location of Your New Outlets

Before any work begins, it's important to plan where your new outlets will be located. Consider areas where you frequently use electrical devices, such as the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. Also, consider areas needing more outlets for multiple devices, such as a home office or entertainment center.

Choose between Surface-Mounted or Concealed Outlets

Surface-mounted and concealed outlets are the two types of outlets that can be installed in your home. Surface-mounted outlets are attached directly to the wall, while concealed outlets are hidden behind the wall, with only the outlet cover visible. Concealed outlets give a cleaner look but may require more extensive wiring work.

Install New Outlets

Once you have decided on the location and type of outlets, it's time to install them. Your electrician will first turn off the power to the area where they will install the new outlets. They will then use a cable fish tape to run new wiring from existing outlets or directly from your electrical panel. The wiring will be connected to the new outlet boxes, and the outlets will be installed.

Upgrade Your Electrical Panel

If your home has an older electrical panel, it may not have enough capacity to handle additional outlets without overloading. In this case, upgrading your electrical panel is necessary before adding more outlets. This can be a bigger and more expensive project, but it will increase the safety and efficiency of your home's electrical system.

Consider USB Outlets

In addition to traditional outlets, you may want to consider installing USB outlets in some areas of your home. These outlets allow you to charge your devices directly without needing an adapter or taking up space in the outlet.

Learn more from an electrical company near you like Brian Thornton Sons Electric.