The end of the holiday season culminates in celebrations, plans, promises, and resolutions. Many New Year’s resolutions aim for self-improvement. But remember, there are other important areas that matter too. Home improvement plans are great for the New Year. They can boost comfort, energy efficiency, and property value. So, Potts Electric offers this list of electrical upgrades. You can check them out during the holidays and plan for next year.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station
If you joined the electric driving revolution during the holidays, contact Potts Electric. They can help you explore your residential EV charging options. The full EV driving experience is not complete until you get a home EV charging station.
A Level 2 charger at your St. Louis home lets you avoid waiting for a spot at ChargePoint stations. Wake up to a fully charged EV battery every morning. Forget about struggling with a weak Level 1 charging cord. Enjoy the ease and convenience that Level 2 chargers bring. Charging your EV at home while sleeping is the best way to save energy.
A Level 2 EV charger at home uses a 240-volt circuit. It works with devices like the Tesla Wall Connector and ChargePoint Home Flex. To get an idea of the Level 2 charging speeds you can get at home, let’s use a Tesla Model X as an example. Plug this full-size SUV into the Wall Connector at 10:00 PM on Sunday. By Monday morning, the battery will be 90% charged. This depends on your circuit size. Investing in a Level 2 charger makes daily use easier. It helps keep your vehicle’s battery healthy and adds value to your property.
Emergency Backup Generator
At Potts Electric, we complete many backup generator installations before and after the holidays. Customers who ask for fall installations are smart. They understand that winter storms can cause power outages in St. Louis.
The stability of your home’s power supply is more critical than ever. Experts say severe weather events in the Midwest are happening more often. This trend raises the chances of power outages due to storm damage. Generators provide great electrical convenience and peace of mind. When the electrical grid fails, you wait 20 seconds. Then, the automatic transfer switch activates. Then, you can enjoy stable backup power.
Whole-home generators are permanently installed. You must move portable generators from room to room. They also need refueling or an extension cord to power them. A whole-home generator smoothly switches your power from electricity to backup energy. A whole-home generator can power your heat pump, stove, and Level 2 EV charging station. Its size and capacity determine what it can handle.
Whole-Home Surge Protection System
Power spikes and surges are significantly more common than outages. Power surges often come from thunderstorms and tornadoes in St. Louis from May to August. But utility-based voltage spikes happen more frequently. They occur when electricity moves between substations. Power surges can also happen when power returns after an outage.
Most electrical panels have basic surge protection, but it wears out over time. Microprocessors in your computers, electronics, and smart appliances may face overload risks. Beyond damaging equipment, power surges also amplify the risk of electrical fires. Whole-home surge protectors go straight into your electrical panel. They guard against both external and internal voltage spikes. The installer places the surge protector between the utility service switch. Then they connect it to the breaker panel to complete the setup. It protects all circuits, parts, and components.
Whole-home surge protection systems can help boost appeal and protection. They also support equipment like EV chargers and backup generators. Upgrades attract buyers looking for comfort, convenience, and safety.
Smart Electrical Panels and Upgrades
Each of the New Year’s recommendations we’ve made thus far may need a panel upgrade. A home EV charger runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit with a corresponding breaker. Backup generators and whole-home protection systems may not work with older electrical panels. Upgrading your electrical panel is a smart choice. Even if you don’t plan to add appliances now, it’s still a good idea.
Potts Electric offers two panel upgrade services. A smart panel or panel replacement upgrades your electrical system. It means replacing old breakers, bus bars, jumpers, and ground connectors with new ones. Some old panels can’t support features like Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). So, they may need a full panel replacement. You can also upgrade to a smart panel, which is a wiser decision for the New Year.
Smart electrical panels deliver more than simple circuit protection and voltage load management. They can connect to your WiFi network. This lets you see real-time energy consumption data for every circuit. You get detailed information for spotting energy hogs and tracking power consumption. These features can help you change how you use electricity. This can lower your electricity bill.
Smart panels can increase property values. A smart panel is an investment for the future. It lets you add battery storage systems and personal cloud servers. You can also connect smart automation networks and other advanced upgrades.
Whole-Home Rewiring
The upgrade ideas we’ve shared so far assume your home circuits are in good shape. When our electricians come to install an EV charger, they first check the panel and wiring. This ensures they can support a dedicated 240-volt circuit. If your home’s wiring is from the 1970s, it is likely we will find old materials, such as aluminum wiring. Many renovators in St. Louis fix up homes. But they often skip updating the electrical wiring before selling.
We check your home’s wiring and connectors during electrical inspections. We check the wiring insulation and material integrity first. Then, we test for capacity and proper grounding. If the wires can’t handle extra electricity or heat, your appliances and home could be at risk. We also check the stability and safety of all outlets and switches.
Rewiring often requires upgrading the panel first. Then, you can upgrade your electrical systems with a surge protector and EV charger. For rewiring projects, our electricians replace old wires, receptacles, and connectors. They use materials that meet code and ensure safe grounding. If your New Year’s goal is safety, consider rewiring to cut fire risks. This also helps reduce tripped breakers.
Let’s Talk About Your New Year’s Electrical Upgrades
Small changes can greatly improve how your lights, appliances, and devices work daily. We can show you options that improve safety, cut down on breaker trips, and support your home’s power needs. You’ll feel the difference right away, and your home will be ready for whatever the year brings.
At Potts Electric, we’re here to help with many essential electrical improvements. We offer a payment plan and after-hours emergency services. You can request service through our online form anytime. You’ll get honest work from a team known for integrity and efficiency. Start the new year with confidence! Contact Potts Electric in St. Louis to learn more about home electrical upgrades for the New Year.
