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Electrical Kitchen Upgrades

Electrical Kitchen Upgrades

The Kitchen is the central hub where the whole family gets together to feast on home cooking and spend time with one another. It comes as no surprise, then, that kitchen renovations are one of the most popular home upgrades. You might be looking to increase your home’s value or to improve the ergonomics and look of your kitchen – whatever the reason, it’s worth considering the following upgrades for your kitchen’s electrical renovation.

Lighting

Insufficient lighting can make even the largest kitchen seem dark and quite small. Light opens up the kitchen space and will bring a feeling of warmth and openness to your home. For those who have recently increased the size of their kitchen, we recommend the addition of accent lighting in predominantly used spaces – for example, over the stove, over countertops and over the kitchen table. Recessed downlights are a great option for such frequently used areas thanks to their high lumen output, affordability, and overall efficiency.

Data Ports

There are about three billion USB ports shipped worldwide each year. Most devices these days require or have some sort of USB connection – making them as common as regular electrical plugs. This means that USB data wiring is likely to become standard in kitchen electrical systems in the near future, so it makes sense to be ahead of the game. It is yet to be seen whether USB outlets will increase home value, but the ability of plugging in your phone, ipod or similar without an adapter will certainly prove to be convenient for tech savvy cookers.

Dimmers

It’s true that your kitchen’s lighting should be the brightest in your house – however the ability to dim the lights can be convenient when you’re cooking with a headache, on hot days,  or you’re planning a romantic dinner. There are various bulbs to choose from, including LED and CFL. Don’t forget that a bulb must be “dimmable” if you plan to pair it with a dimmable light switch!

GFCI Outlets

Since 2014, it has been mandatory for all residential outlets being installed, replaced or renovated to be equipped with a GFCI outlet. These Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are electrical safety devices intended to prevent electrical fires from happening due to dysfunctional outlets or tripping breakers. Upgrading to GFCI outlets will greatly improve the safety of your home and family; as well as likely increase the overall value of your house.

At the end of the day, whether you are looking to renovate for your own comfort, or in order to increase the value of your home on the housing market, each of the above upgrades will dramatically improve the appearance, safety and efficiency of your kitchen. It is imperative, however, to remember that it is unsafe and illegal to conduct your own electrical work in Australia. You must contact a licensed electrician to get started on any electrical projects, no matter how big or small.

Reshma Anik

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