How to Wire Your Home for Higher Efficiency and Lower Energy Bills

Introduction

With energy costs on the rise, many homeowners are looking for ways to increase efficiency and reduce their monthly bills. Upgrading your home's electrical wiring can make a big difference in energy consumption and savings. In this guide, I will walk through the steps to wire your home for higher efficiency and lower energy costs.

Evaluate Your Electrical Panel

The first step is to examine your electrical panel and see if an upgrade is needed. Here are some signs it's time to upgrade:

Your home still has a fuse box. These are outdated and need to be replaced with a circuit breaker panel.
There are not enough circuits or space for additional circuits in your current panel.
You lack 240-volt circuits for large appliances like dryers, stoves, etc.
The panel is overloaded and circuits trip frequently.
You have old wiring like knob-and-tube wiring. This is hazardous and energy inefficient.

Upgrading to a 200 amp panel is recommended for most modern homes. This gives you enough power and expansion capabilities down the road.

Upgrade Home Wiring

If your home still has old copper wiring, replacing it with new copper or aluminum wiring can really help maximize efficiency. Here's why:

Old wiring loses power and efficiency over time due to corrosion and cracks in the insulation.
New wiring has higher copper or aluminum content, larger gauge sizes, and better insulation.
Upgraded wiring enables 220-volt circuits for large appliances.
It allows you to add dedicated circuits for high demand electronics and appliances.

I recommend hiring a certified electrician to handle any rewiring jobs. They can ensure it is done safely and to modern electrical codes.

Add Circuits for Larger Appliances

Running large appliances like stoves, dryers, air conditioners, and electric vehicle chargers on their own dedicated circuits can prevent overloading and reduce energy waste.

Here are some recommended dedicated circuits to add:

220-volt circuit for the stove/oven. This will allow it to run at full power.
220-volt circuit for the dryer. This will shorten drying times.
240-volt circuit for an AC condenser. It will run at peak efficiency.
40-50 amp 220V circuit for an EV charger. It will enable faster charging speed.

The electrician can safely install these new circuits.

Install Arc-Fault and Ground-Fault Breakers

Upgrading your electrical panel provides the chance to add advanced circuit breakers that can further improve electrical safety and prevent wasted energy.

Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) detect hazardous electrical arcing in the wiring and break the circuit to prevent fires.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) sense current leakage and cut power to prevent shocks. These should be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoor outlets.

Discuss adding AFCIs and GFCIs with your electrician when upgrading your panel.

Consider Whole-Home Surge Protection

Power surges from lightning strikes or other grid fluctuations can damage electronics and appliances. High quality whole-home surge protectors installed at the panel provide guaranteed protection for your entire electrical system.

This is more effective than plug-in surge strips and can prevent wasted energy from damaged devices. Though optional, whole-home surge protection is highly recommended.

Summary

Upgrading your home's electrical system with a new breaker panel, ample circuits, and advanced wiring enables your appliances and devices to operate at maximum efficiency. While the upgrades do require an initial investment, you will see the savings over time through lower energy bills and reduced electrical issues in your home. Consider having an evaluation done by a licensed electrician to determine which enhancements provide the quickest payback and energy savings in your particular home.