People may come up with ideas about electrical upgrades to the home but discover that those ideas simply are not safe. A Hamden, CT Electrician can do upgrades that are acceptable in the residential setting and explain to homeowners why some changes to the electrical system are unwise.
For example, the idea of having a heater installed above the shower or bathtub may seem appealing. However, the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) does not approve of any products for this purpose for safety reasons. Instead, a Hamden, CT Electrician could install a baseboard heater or swap out the existing exhaust fan for one that includes a heater. This new exhaust fan cannot be in the shower or tub area. Although these devices won’t be directly overhead, they’ll still be effective for warming up a chilly bathroom.
Homeowners may want to have additional outlets installed without getting the wiring upgraded. That may not be safe since those outlets put an extra load on the system when in use. Having more outlets installed is advisable if the household residents are relying on power strips and extension cords, but the wiring should still be checked if it has never been upgraded and the house is an older one. Additional outlets also are advantageous if plugging in one device temporarily winds up tripping a circuit breaker or blowing a fuse. Running a hair dryer or a vacuum cleaner uses a large amount of power, and the wiring must be able to accommodate these devices and any others that are running.
The same is true if the homeowner wants to have an electrical outlet installed on the exterior of the house in order to run equipment that puts a great deal of demand on the system. The electrician will want to evaluate the wiring before somebody runs heavier-duty power tools through the home’s electrical supply.
Converting part of a basement to living space or other functional uses also may create some concerns about the electrical system. Bringing in another power-hungry appliance, such as a refrigerator or an electric clothes dryer, calls for attention beforehand from a company such as DeFilippo Electric.
