10 Lighting and Electrical Considerations for Vancouver Home Renovations
- PTX Electric
In this blog post, we’re going to talk about what electrical issues you need to consider when you do home renovations in Vancouver.
Renovating your Vancouver home means putting a premium on the lighting and electrical system.
It’s not only for compliance or keeping up with the existing safety standards; you do it because electrical upgrades are an investment. Your needs increase as you go through lifestyle changes and a growing family.
A home riddled with faulty wiring and outdated lighting is a safety hazard. It means the more likelihood of electrical shock and starting fires because of an overloaded system or exposed wiring. An outdated electrical system leads to infuriating power surges and blackouts.
Prioritize comfort and safety with these lighting and electrical considerations for your next Vancouver home renovation:
1 – Never over-light your living space
Homeowners tend to get overexcited about adding lights to the interior. The unwanted brightness dominates the interior design, plus it adds to your electricity bill. It’s a common mistake you can avoid by choosing the right fixtures that serve their purpose. Take a closer look at your interior and figure out if you need to reduce or increase the lighting. Ideally, add a dimmer switch on your lights, allowing you to change the brightness and mood. If possible, install a dimmer to every interior light.
2 – Consider automating the lighting system
Lights with motion-sensing technology are no longer a luxury these days. It’s a practical addition to your home as it minimizes the risk of falling and stumbling in the dark. Add an automatic light in the garage and even the pantry – you’ll be more efficient because the light only turns on when it detects movement in the room. Motion sensor lights are also convenient because you no longer need to look for the switch in the dark.
3 – Choose a variety of lighting solutions
You’re never satisfied with your lighting because you’re using the same thing throughout your house. If your home is up for renovation, consider adding different lighting solutions. Start by toning down your ceiling lights, replacing it with a set of wall, floor, step, and pendant lights. If you’re confused about mixing and matching different lights, get some tips from an interior designer. Be sure to coordinate with the electrical contractor when it comes to adding modern lighting solutions.
4 – Mind the power points
Logic tells you that power points must be out of sight, but there are scenarios when you need one to be within reach. The dining area, kitchen, and bathroom must have power points, but they must be at a safe location, away from water. But what if you need to charge your phone while prepping food? What if you want to use a blower in the bathroom? So, choose practical (and reachable) areas, but mind everyone’s safety by adding covers to those power points.
5 – Install modern switches
If you think there’s nothing fancy about a lighting switch, wait until you go to a home improvement store and see the choices. Consider replacing your old lighting switches with those equipped with Bluetooth. It’ll allow you to automate your lighting using your Bluetooth-enabled phone as the controller. Some lighting switches can be personalized with icons for the kitchen, garage, lawn, etc., so you won’t have to guess which one to turn on all the time.
6 – Replace old lighting
Outdated lighting doesn’t only affect your home’s curb appeal; it is also an inconvenience. There’s more to the lighting system than just illuminating your living space. Spend time researching different types of lighting solutions – you’ll be surprised how outdated your lights are. Some models are meant to spruce up your interior in ways that you’ve never even imagined. If you’re spending money on home renovation, see to it that you replace old lighting, too.
7 – Install GFCIs
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are safety devices that prevent fire and electrical shock if an outlet contacts water or moisture. GFCIs provide a convenient and efficient solution to prevent your circuit breaker from tripping when outlets get water inside them. This is a practical addition to your Vancouver renovation project if you have outlets in the bathroom, kitchen, and outside. GFCIs are affordable and easy to install so that it won’t put a dent in your budget.
8 – Invest in smart home upgrades
We talked about how good motion sensor lighting is, but it’s not the only “smart” home upgrade that’s readily available even for home renovations on a limited budget. Smart home upgrades let you control appliances, lighting, heating, cooling, and even your doors to be as energy-efficient as possible. Talk to your home improvement contractor about adding smart home technologies, i.e., surveillance and security systems, alarm system, smart light bulbs, and others.
9 – Don’t forget the provisions
Since you don’t have enough money to address some of your desires, i.e., entertainment or theater room, you should make provisions for electrical and lighting. For instance, you can run the cabling for those additions so that you’ll have an easier time once your budget permits.
10 – Invest in a whole-home surge protector
The idea of surge protection is to prevent the likelihood of irreparable damage to your appliances and electronic devices in the event of a massive electrical storm. Although it’ll cost you a lot of money, the fact that it protects your valuables is reason enough to invest in it.
Once you’ve made up your mind on the lighting and electrical considerations for your renovation project, be sure to walk through every room and picture out where the changes go. This will give you a real feel of the future additions and help you decide to proceed with them. Visualize everything before you proceed.