I’m always looking for ways to make my home more modern and future-proof. With technology rapidly advancing, it’s important to ensure your home's electrical system can support new smart devices and appliances. Upgrading the wiring in your house now will save you time and money down the road. Here are some of the best ways to wire your home for the future.
Evaluate Your Current Electrical Panel
The first step is to evaluate your current electrical panel. Your panel connects your home to the incoming power lines and distributes electricity throughout your house. An outdated panel can't handle increased energy demands.
Here's what to look for in assessing your panel:
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Age - If your panel is over 20 years old, it's likely time for an upgrade. Newer panels have increased capacity and additional safety features.
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Amperage - The amperage rating determines how much power your panel can deliver. Anything under 100 amps is considered outdated. 200 amp panels are ideal for modern homes.
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Expansion slots - Look for open slots where you can add new circuit breakers. Lacking space for additional circuits means your panel is maxed out.
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Safety features - Modern panels have advanced safety technology like arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Upgrade if your panel lacks these.
If your electrical panel is outdated, I'd recommend upgrading to a 200 amp panel with plenty of room for new circuit breakers. This ensures your home's wiring system can handle increased electrical loads.
Upgrade Interior and Exterior Wiring
The next step is upgrading the wiring inside your walls and to outdoor areas. This wiring connects your electrical panel to devices and fixtures throughout the house.
Here are some wiring upgrades to consider:
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Run new 12 or 10 gauge wiring for high-power circuits like kitchen appliances, the A/C condenser and pool equipment. This thicker wire safely handles more electricity.
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Use 3-wire cable for all circuits to support grounded outlets. Older homes may have ungrounded 2-wire systems.
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Install GFCI outlets near water sources like bathrooms and kitchens for protection from shocks. Consider adding them on outdoor, garage and basement circuits as well.
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Make sure wires are copper rather than aluminum. Copper is safer and more reliable.
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Upgrade exterior outlets to weatherproof boxes with covers to prevent water damage. Use tamper-resistant outlets for child safety.
Take time to inspect exposed wires for damage too. Repair any old, cracked wire insulation to prevent shorts and fires.
Increase Outlet Quantity
As you rely more on devices and smart tech, you'll need more outlets throughout your home. Evaluate each room and add new outlets wherever you foresee needing them.
Focus on adding outlets:
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On walls without any outlets currently. It's cheap to add outlets when walls are open during remodeling.
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Above kitchen countertops to plug in small appliances. Having outlets spaced every 4 feet or less is ideal.
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Near entertainment centers and desks to charge electronics and power equipment.
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Inside cabinets to plug in interior lighting on shelves.
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Near beds for convenient device charging at night.
More outlets eliminate the need for extension cords and provide flexibility as your needs change.
Install Smart Home Infrastructure
The latest must-have home upgrades involve integrating smart technology. This includes smart lighting, thermostats, security systems and voice assistants.
To support smart devices, ensure your home has:
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High-speed internet - Most smart devices connect via WiFi and need a strong signal. Ethernet ports allow for wired connections.
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A neutral power line - Many smart switches and lighting controls require a neutral wire, which may be missing in old homes.
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A hardwired security system - Wireless security systems are convenient to install but wired systems are more reliable with better battery backups.
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In-wall speakers pre-wiring - If you want ceiling speakers and voice assistants like Alexa built-in, pre-wiring the speaker cables will be required.
The key is thinking ahead about what smart capabilities you want, then installing the necessary infrastructure during renovations. This prevents having to tear open walls later if you change your mind.
Consider a Standby Generator
For full future-proofing, look into installing a standby generator. These kick in automatically during power outages to keep essential home systems running.
Though expensive, a standby generator provides peace of mind by powering:
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Furnaces, A/C systems and pumps to avoid losses from frozen pipes bursting
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Fridge/freezers so food stays cold for longer
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Medical devices, CPAP machines and electronics
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Home security systems, smoke detectors and emergency lighting
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A few lights and outlets for basic needs
If you live in an area prone to extreme weather and power loss, a standby generator is a smart investment for whole house protection.
Bottom Line
Updating your home's electrical system for the 21st century doesn't have to be intimidating. Start by evaluating your current panel and wiring for capacity, safety and expansion capability. Strategically adding more outlets and pre-wiring for smart tech will future-proof your home for decades. If power outages are a big concern, a standby generator provides the ultimate peace of mind.
Implementing these wiring upgrades now makes your home highly functional for modern living. By taking a forward-thinking approach, you can enjoy the many electrical and tech conveniences of today while being fully prepared for tomorrow. Your home’s wiring forms the backbone of our connected lives, so it pays to get it right.