A main electrical panel is the very heart of modern day homes.  It powers your lights, outlets, phones, computers, and more. Even more importantly, it limits the amount of power that goes into each branch circuit; keeping your wires and devices from receiving too much current and catching on fire!  If your panel is not well maintained, or has outlived its lifespan, it can no longer protect you from the everyday hazards of electricity.

Not all panelboards are made equally.  Some manufacturers take extra precautions and safety measures when designing and providing their panels to their customers – while others try to cut corners, making the highest profit by meeting only the bare minimum “acceptable” safety standards.  It is important to know where the panel on your home compares to either end of the spectrum.  Will your panel save your house from an electrical fire? OR will it be the very cause of one?

Have your panel inspected, at least, every few years to ensure it meets current electrical codes and safety practices.  It is better to find a problem early, than wait until it is too late to fix it.

Illuminate your bathroom for the perfect setting and use of area.  If you are updating your bathroom, don’t let lighting go by the wayside; it could be the most important thing you change!

Many considerations go into the lighting of your bathroom: reduce your energy load (to keep that pesky hair dryer from tripping your breaker as often) by switching to LED lights; choose the correct temperature and lumens to bring out the true color of your tiles; and/or divide up your lights into several zones.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dimmer switch that can be individually installed for low light settings while you enjoy a nice hot bath?  How about putting in brilliant white lights in your shower, located perfectly to allow you to get that perfect shave? Or having a separate switch for your vanity lights, allowing them to be installed at flattering heights and angles, but not have to be on all of the time.

Adding a sub panel into your home can provide an easier access point to your circuit breakers.  New sub panels are often installed in high power demand areas, like basements or garages.

Adding power to a new, or renovated, space can sometimes be quite the process.  Many considerations are involved when adding power to buildings: Load calculations for each circuit must be done; wiring type and correct sizing can limit voltage drop and overheating possibilities; spacing of receptacles and lighting must be done to code; proper support for each type of wire must be done, to ensure they will not move, sag, or be damaged overtime; and keeping track of which wire goes where during the whole install, preventing neutrals from being unintentionally shared between circuits or circuits from becoming over powered and burning out your electronics.