If you’re planning to expand or renovate your home, you may have picked out furniture, paint, and maybe flooring. But have you considered whether your electrical system is up to the task? Electrical work is often overlooked in the excitement of planning, yet it’s a critical part of any renovation or addition.

Many older homes—and even some modern ones—aren’t equipped to handle the increased electrical load that comes with new appliances and additional square footage. Ignoring this can lead to frequent power issues, overloaded circuits, and even fire hazards.

AArdvark Electric Service, Inc.’s electricians are here to help you determine whether your electrical system may need an upgrade. We’ll provide tips to help you ensure everything runs smoothly during your renovation or addition project.

How Do You Calculate Electrical Panel Capacity for Additional Load?

Before making an addition to your home, it’s crucial to ensure your electrical panel can handle the extra load. To determine its capacity, calculate the expected increase in demand from any new appliances, outlets, or lighting that will be installed. This will help you avoid the need to upgrade or replace the panel after the fact.

Electricians use National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines to estimate additional load based on specific elements, such as the square footage of new rooms, the number of circuits required, and the power ratings of large appliances like ovens or air conditioners.

This total is then compared to your panel’s maximum capacity to ensure it can handle the extra demand without safety issues. This process needs to be completed early in the planning stage, before construction begins, to help you avoid delays or extra costs.

How Do You Map Out New Wall Outlets for Space Expansions?

When planning for new wall outlets in your expanded spaces, you need to consider both convenience and safety. Outlets should be strategically placed where they’ll be most useful, such as near workstations, kitchen countertops, or entertainment areas.

Consider these guidelines when planning new wall outlets for each room:

  • Living room: Place outlets along every wall to accommodate lamps, TVs, and electronics. You might also consider adding floor outlets in open spaces, and plan for dedicated circuits if you have a home theater system.
  • Kitchen: Install outlets along countertops for small appliances, use GFCI outlets near sinks, and ensure large appliances like ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators have dedicated circuits.
  • Bathroom: Make sure to use GFCI outlets near sinks and bathtubs, keeping outlets at a safe distance from water sources. You may also want to add a dedicated circuit for heated floors or lighting fixtures.
  • Home office: Install outlets near desks and workstations for computers and printers. Plan for dedicated circuits for high-power devices, such as computers or servers.
  • Bedroom: Place outlets near the bed for lamps, chargers, and electronic devices. You may also want to add extra outlets near dressers or desks for additional convenience.

You’ll also have to consider code requirements, which often dictate the spacing of outlets and the type of circuits used. Limitations like panel capacity and the need for more breakers can also restrict how many circuits can be added without upgrading the electrical panel.

What’s the Difference Between Adding a Circuit Breaker and Upgrading a Panel?

Circuit breakers protect your electrical system by automatically cutting off power if an overload or short circuit occurs. When adding new rooms, appliances, or outlets, your current panel may not have enough breakers to handle the increased load, which could lead to dangerous overloading or tripping issues.

There’s a difference between adding more breakers and upgrading your panel. Adding breakers simply means installing new ones in the existing panel to accommodate additional circuits, provided there’s enough space, and your panel’s capacity can handle the extra load.

Upgrading your panel, on the other hand, involves replacing the entire panel with one that can support a higher electrical demand. This is necessary when your current panel is outdated or lacks the capacity to safely manage the electrical needs of your expanded home.

What Do You Need To Calculate To Ensure the Electrical Safety of New Rooms?

Load calculations are perhaps the most important factor in electrical planning for your home addition. To perform these, assess the total wattage required by all new appliances, outlets, and lighting. Then, you’ll need to add this demand to your existing load to ensure the combined total doesn’t exceed the capacity of your panel and circuits.

There may be other supplemental calculations to consider. For example, voltage drop calculations are important for ensuring that appliances far from the panel still receive adequate power.

Given the complexity of these calculations, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician to ensure everything is done safely and in compliance with electrical codes.

How Do You Know if Your Electrical Wiring Is Compatible With Additions?

When we refer to “wire compatibility,” we mean ensuring that the existing wiring in your home can safely handle the demands of modern electrical loads. Older homes often have wiring made of materials like aluminum or insufficient gauge copper, which don’t meet today’s safety standards.

Here’s what you need to check to ensure compatibility:

  • Wiring material: Ensure copper wiring is used, as older aluminum wiring may not meet current safety standards.
  • Insulation condition: Inspect the insulation for signs of wear, damage, or brittleness, as damaged insulation can increase the risk of electrical shorts and fires.
  • Connection points: Examine connections at outlets, switches, and the breaker panel to ensure they’re secure and they don’t show signs of corrosion or looseness.
  • Breaker compatibility: Verify that the wiring suits the capacity of your current breakers. Ensuring that the breakers and wiring are matched correctly will prevent potential safety hazards.

Schedule a Professional Electrical Inspection for Your Addition Today

As you begin planning your home expansion, it’s essential to determine whether your current electrical system can safely handle the increased load. AArdvark Electric Service, Inc.’s experienced professionals are here to assist you by conducting a thorough inspection, identifying potential issues, and recommending or performing any necessary upgrades to ensure your system is safe and up to code.

Call (630) 789-1949 to schedule your electrical inspection and discuss your system’s needs.