Your home's electrical system is integral to your family's safety and quality of life. It's a significant factor in property value and market demand. An old or poorly maintained electrical system can significantly lower offers and extend time on the market. Let's explore the top five electrical upgrades to make your house more appealing and valuable.
1. Modern Electrical Panel and New Wiring
The power demands of the modern American household have grown considerably. A common problem with older homes is that they lack an adequate electrical panel. Modern households generally need 150 amps, and many need 250 amps or more. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires 100 amps at a minimum. Despite that, many older houses have sub-100-amp panels. Old wiring and electrical connections are prevalent issues as well. These components deteriorate over time through normal use. They'll also be a focal point of any pre-purchase home inspection. The real estate industry estimates that rewiring a home and bringing it up to code offers a strong return on investment. It can range from 70% to more than 100%. This is an opportunity to add circuits, which provide more capacity for lights and other devices without overloading. You can add circuits to a panel up to its physical limit or choose a new panel with the capacity you need. This is also a great chance to replace old outlets and switches and to add more in rooms that could benefit from it. Many homes, including relatively newer ones, need whole-house surge protection. The NEC didn't add Type 2 surge protection as a requirement until January 1, 2023. You can also add Type 1 surge protection between the service entrance and the grid. Many houses lack the full GFCI and AFCI protection that the NEC now requires.
2. LED Lighting and Modern Lighting Designs
Consider upgrading all of your indoor and outdoor lighting to LED. Lighting accounts for 15% of the average household's annual energy bill. The Department of Energy estimates that the average household can save $225 annually with this upgrade. You'll also save through longer bulb life. ENERGY STAR LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. For your outdoor lighting, you can save even more by integrating solar panels and battery backup systems. The appeal of modern lighting design extends beyond energy savings. Invest in uplighting and landscape lighting that improves your home's curb appeal at night. Highlight landscape features with accent lighting, and make the property safer with pathway lighting and flood lamps. Your lighting choices inside your home can make a big difference as well. Choose interior lighting types that make the living spaces feel brighter and roomier. You should also choose types that enhance a particular space, such as track lighting in home offices and theaters.
3. Smart Home Integration
Real estate research suggests home automation can provide a 50% return on investment. In addition, tech-savvy buyers will often pay up to 15% more for a smart home than the average buyer. Another notable aspect of smart homes is that you can build them up in layers. You can also add and replace devices easily as technology improves and your needs change. Selecting the right smart home smart hub should be your focus initially. Ad-hoc networks are an option with smart devices. Still, a hub gives you a central point of access both physically and remotely. A hub will also dictate the operating system and communication protocols. That can make it easier when expanding your network to ensure advanced compatibility. A smart thermostat should be one of your initial investments. Even a basic programmable thermostat can lower annual cooling and heating costs by up to 10%. Smart thermostats often have additional features to help you save money. Those include energy usage monitoring, machine learning, and predictive maintenance. There are many other smart devices to consider as well. You can integrate a security system, including doorbell cameras and other security cameras. Smart locks are a popular home improvement. Other upgrades to consider include smart:
- Outlets
- Lighting
- Ceiling fans
- Voice control
- Garage doors
- Blinds and shades
4. EV Charging Station
Sales and leases of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continue to grow steadily in the U.S. Industry experts don't expect that trend to slow down anytime soon. That has made home EV chargers a notable selling point, as it's one less thing a buyer has to worry about. Recent studies have found that a hardwired Level 2 charging station can increase property values by up to 7%. Garage installations are the most popular according to consumer research, with carport installations having notable appeal as well. If you opt for an outdoor installation, ensure it's fully up to code, as there are additional requirements. Outdoor EV charging stations must be lockable and have necessary weatherproofing. Level 1 chargers have significantly less appeal and will become outmoded in time. Level 2 chargers can range from about 3 to 19 kilowatts. The higher the capacity, the better. If a charger is below the capacity of a buyer's vehicle, they may want to replace it. Cable management and automatic systems in particular can increase charging station appeal considerably. For larger houses with multi-car garages, consider a dual charging station. The option to charge two EVs at the same time can be a big draw for many families. Don't worry about the connections, such as the J-plug or Tesla plug. Swapping out the plug or adding an adapter is a relatively insignificant home improvement.
5. Whole-House Generator
The real estate industry estimates that a standby generator increases property value by between 3% and 5%. In areas prone to severe weather that can cause extended power outages, the return on investment can be 150% or more. If considering a generator, ensure you do any work to the wiring and electrical panel first. A backup generator will require an electrical panel that's fully up to code and the addition of an automatic transfer switch. How you'll power your generator is an important consideration. If the property has access to natural gas, this is the preferred choice. Natural gas is the least expensive and most convenient option. The best alternative is liquid propane, which you'll store in a tank on the property. Systems that use other fuels are less desirable, as they're much less convenient. Another crucial consideration is the capacity. Generators that provide essential coverage are the least expensive option. These systems offer enough capacity for lighting, heating, and refrigeration. Larger generators generally provide what the industry calls managed whole-home coverage. This lets you choose what else you'll power. That can include a stove, kitchen appliances, home networking equipment, and so forth. You should also explore safety and smart features that can make the generator much more appealing.
Top-Rated Electrical Installation in Sherman
Mister Sparky® is a residential electrical contractor located in Sherman, TX. Our company employs licensed electricians who complete all electrical upgrades to current Texas building codes. We rewire homes and upgrade electrical panels, outlets, and more. You can also count on us for the installation of LED lighting, home automation, EV chargers, and whole-house generators. Call us today to schedule an on-site consultation.
