A new home addition is an exciting endeavor, but it requires a bit of planning and collaboration. It's particularly important to work with a residential electrician to ensure the new rooms are functional and comfortable. When planning the upgrades, remember the following tips. 

How to Plan for Electrical Changes When Adding to Your Home

1. Create an Electrical Wiring Layout

The outlets and electrical wiring positioned throughout the home will largely determine the layout for the electrical work in the addition. Work with an electrician to figure out where you can place lighting and appliances conveniently.

If you know what the addition is for, they can also help plan for any dedicated circuits needed to power larger systems. For example, if you're adding a new entertainment space to your home, they'll make sure you have sufficient outlets for the television, consoles, and other electronics. 

2. Increase Whole-Home Amperage

Adding several hundred feet to your home could reduce the electrical panel’s ability to power the entire property effectively. Without additional amperage coming in, you can expect to have problems with flickering lights and flipping breakers.

A “heavy up” involves having an electrician increase the amperage coming into the home so that the system can receive and handle the increased load. If you have an older house that uses a knob-and-tube electrical system, the entire panel may need replacing.

3. Consider a Subpanel

If you're planning a rather large addition, having an electrician install a subpanel is probably more sensible than adding to the main service panel. This reduces the number of supply wires needed and prevents cutting off power to the entire home during maintenance and emergencies.  

When upgrading your home, have the electricians at Leiser Corporation ensure the electrical panel can handle the changes. For over 40 years, this family-owned electrical company has provided high-quality electrical installations and repairs to homes and businesses in Weston, MA. Their contractors will sit down with you to understand your goals and provide the best products to meet them. Call (781) 893-5966 for a free estimate, or visit their website to learn more about their services.