Every home uses energy in one form or the other; and in most instances, this electricity comes from the power grid. Statistics indicate that almost 50% of a home’s energy is used by its HVAC systems while about 12% goes into the lighting. Most property owners presume that all the energy-efficiency upgrades happen through various home improvement upgrades such as replacement of wooden windows and doors with energy-efficient 2 or 3-paned vinyl windows etc.

While these changes do add to the energy-efficiency of your home, there are a number of electrical systems and maintenance upgrades that can significantly improve your energy usage, such as:

It’s not uncommon for us to occasionally leave the lights on when we leave a room. Or there may be times when we leave the deck, patio or poolscapes lights on all night with the security aspect in view. These types of habits can become a significant energy drain, but there is a way to curb that. We can install motion sensor lighting in the exterior spaces of your home; the lights will get switched on only when the sensor picks up any movement within its range. This helps you save energy without compromising on the safety factor in any way.

Most people don’t realise that their local electrician can help them when they are upgrading to energy efficient appliances. The fact of the matter is that simply replacing older appliances with ones that have high energy star ratings may not always help them reduce their electricity bills.

When you upgrade the appliances in your home such as air-conditioners, dryers, dishwashers and washing machines etc., these appliances tend to need a higher wattage compared to the older ones; this means the upgrade may actually strain the circuit breakers and your electrical system. It’s important to get a skilled electrician to come and check whether the existing wiring and system is built to bear the higher electrical loads that the newer, advanced systems need.

Inadequate or improper insulation is one more major sources of energy loss on most properties. And if you are considering a home renovation/remodelling/extension project, it’s a good idea to upgrade the insulation in your house as well.

Today, many property owners are quite committed to opting for eco-friendly alternatives to many materials and systems. If you feel you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to consider installing solar panels in your home. This can significantly reduce your reliance on grid power.

Upgrading appliances or making major electrical upgrades can sometimes prove to be an expensive proposition and may not fit into everyone’s budget. This is why it’s important to know how to make some smaller changes that will also add to your home’s energy-efficiency. Some things that can make a big difference are:

The lives of 21st Century Americans are filled with endless electronic gadgets and appliances. A modern home filled with computers, entertainment systems and portable devices can quickly run short of convenient electric outlets to provide power to the media extravaganza. That makes power strips a must. In addition to providing ample plug space, power strips can also protect your devices, help keep them organized, give a boost to your energy efficiency and provide a flash of style while they're at it. Check out a sampling of models that show off some of the best that power strips have to offer:

If you need advice on powering and protecting your devices, or have any other electrical work that needs to be addressed, contact a qualified electrician without delay.

Not only will the electrician be up on all codes, he will be bonded and insured. You have complete peace of mind that he is doing the job right – the first time.

So what do you need to know?

Well, let’s talk about your needs. Are you replacing an outdated outlet with a new GFI? Are you adding a new outlet so you can plug in your computer and printer without disturbing the other appliances, lamps, clocks, etc. that are already using wall outlets? Are you installing a new outlet on your back porch where you can plug in a new ceiling fan? You can’t wait to get that new hot tub filled and ready for fun. Fill it up and plug it in. Right? Wrong.

First you need to know whether what you are using is for a standard 120 volt home outlet. Some appliances, like hot tubs, call for a larger capacity. Replacing an outlet can certainly be simpler than creating a new outlet. How much do you know about your electrical panel? Is there a free circuit? How do you determine if your panel will hold the new outlet? Do you know enough to keep you and members of your family from being shocked or electrocuted? It seems exaggerated, but unintentional shocks have happened.

How much do you know about wiring?

You may think you are cutting corners by purchasing the actual wires on your own. Are you sure you know what size to buy? Electrical wire is sized on the AWG system (the American Wire Gauge).  You need to know what the capacity for the wire will be and what the wire feed will be to make a sound decision.

If you go into a hardware store or home improvement store you will be amazed at the number of different wires that are sold. The each have a place and purpose in your home. Your neighbor said that he used aluminum wiring when he had his electrical outlets installed. Did you know that copper wires have been determined to be the best in today’s environment? Just look at the number of people stealing copper and you will realize that copper is now in demand.

Things a pro will know

You electrician will know exactly how much current the gauge of wire will safely carry. When a novice looks at the wiring it is obvious that the larger the gauge, the more electricity it can handle. Plus, the pro will know if your intended ampacity matches the circuit size on your electrical panel.

When you want to replace or upgrade electrical outlets, the smart thing to do is let a licensed professional do it. It will be done safely, efficiently and correctly.