Ring in the New Year With Beneficial Home Electrical Upgrades
With the near year underway, many homeowners are excited to tackle those home improvement projects they couldn’t fit into last year’s budget. And when it comes to improving the home, there’s no better place to start than the electrical system. After all, many electrical upgrades can help homeowners save money on their annual energy costs, giving them a greater return on investment.
But electrical upgrades can also help enhance comfort, save money, and make life more convenient. So here are three electrical system upgrades and improvements every homeowner should consider this year that can offer advantages to a household.
Put in Ceiling Fans
Although it may not seem like it could make much of a difference, adding ceiling fans throughout the home can be great for comfort and energy efficiency. In the summertime, a ceiling fan can help provide a broad, cooling breeze to an entire room. That cooling effect can also help the home’s AC system, allowing homeowners to raise the thermostat a few degrees to save money and energy without sacrificing comfort.
The same principle applies in the winter months. When the direction of the fan blades is reversed clockwise, the fan pushes air up toward the ceiling, which forces warm air that has risen back down along the walls. This can help keep the home feeling warmer and allow homeowners to change the temperature to save energy and money. Since the HVAC system consumes a lot of energy while ceiling fans only consume very little, this can be a powerful way to reduce heating and cooling costs.
Make the Indoor Lighting More Energy-Efficient
Another way to improve energy efficiency is to upgrade the indoor lighting with LED lights and dimmer switches. LED light bulbs can use nearly 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs – and last around 25 times longer. So, simply switching to LED bulbs can greatly impact energy consumption and save money.
However, homeowners may want to use the opportunity to install LED light fixtures. Since they’re specifically designed to use LED bulbs, these fixtures help the bulbs last even longer. And many LED bulbs aren’t always perfectly compatible with older light fixtures and circuits. While still perfectly safe to use, this can shorten the bulb’s lifespan and lead to annoying buzzing noises.
Installing new dimmer switches can further improve efficiency by allowing homeowners to reduce the light output of their fixtures (which in turn reduces the electricity used). Having greater control over the light level can also help homeowners wind down around bedtime or set the mood for movie nights, romantic dinners, or parties.
Install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station
For those who own electric vehicles, installing an EV charging station at home is a great upgrade to make this year. Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations aren’t always easy to find, and people often have to go out of their way to use one. With a charging station in their garage, homeowners can be confident they’re ready for the day’s commute or errands.
Not only is a home electric vehicle charging station more convenient, but it can also be more cost-effective. Public charging stations tend to have a fairly high cost of use relative to at-home charging stations, especially considering that homeowners can charge their vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.
So, while many homeowners may be put off by the initial cost of EV charging station installation, it’s an investment that is convenient and can save them money in the long run. Additionally, they can raise the value of a home when installed.
About ICT Electric
ICT Electric has more than 30 years of experience serving Rhinelander, WI, and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, trustworthy technicians, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical services in Rhinelander, WI.