extras

Electrical Extras

It May seem like many of the following suggestions are obvious, but you would be suprised how many Electrical contractors are asked to install them after the initial contract has been set. Planning ahead will cost you less in the long run, and help make your home more comfortable. It will also add resale value for the future.

Put an Extra circuit under the sink. This can be used later for counter lights or for whatever the next invention will be.

Install an extra #10 Cable for an instant hot water tank at the kitchen sink. Energy costs are rising, so these make it so you dont have to keep running water until it gets hot

Install a Plug in the eaves under the soffit for holiday lights. If you put a switch in entrance closet for it, you can turn the lights on easily, or install a built in timer to do it automatically.

Install a Light in the attic with switch above attic entrance hole. Seems pretty useless until you have to go up there!

install a Light in the crawlspace under the stairs. Also in any other place you may end up using for storage

Switch ½ the plug in carport for car warmer. Then when you're making your breakfast you can turn it on warm up the interior of your car on cold winter days.

Home Automation or Structured wiring. Will you be putting in a satellite dish? Read the article on "Home Automation" on the bcelectrician home page. It will make things a lot easier and way cheaper to do it now. Also adds resale value.

Run an Empty Conduit from electrical panel into attic. This gives you access for whatever the future may bring, and it will only cost about $30

Always have the Electrician install a Neutral in all switches. This makes it so you can do all sorts of things from lighted switches to room occupancy detectors to automatically turn on and off lights. This may not even cost you any more in the initial wiring, but the electrician must be asked to do it.

Install a Quad plug behind TV or computer. It saves all the trouble of finding enough plugs or using unsightly cords later.

Run an Extra wire to thermostat from furnace. Very cheap and gives room for possible changes.

Not Electrical, but make sure you run a water line to where your fridge will be located. good for automatic ice and fridges with cold water taps built in.

Run extra Power to your attic for future camera plugs or satellite dish power. You may not want it now, but when the kids come along, or for security, you may want a backyard camera.

Run an Extra conduit from your panel through the wall for an outside shop or garage etc. Its easy now and will save time and appearance later.

Run a 3 wire to all fans or places where fans could go so you can separate fan & lights with 2 switches.

Install Yard floodlighting hidden in the eaves of your home. Most outside lighting is decorative and doesnt light up the yard. Great for security, and yard cleanup and lots more.

Try to plan your basement finishing by using a T bar (drop ceiling). It gives you great access to plumbing and electrical add ons later.

Install an Outside telephone jack. Save your floors from the mud and grime from people running in to answer the phone. If you're the type of person who spends a lot of time on your outside deck, maybe even a TV cable so you can catch the news when having morning toast on the deck.