Today’s homes have to power more devices and gadgets than ever before, and as the number of people working from home increases, the amount of power required increases, too. In fact, single-family homes in the South consume the most electricity out of all U.S. households. So, isn’t it time to start thinking about electricity upgrades?
Among your other home improvement projects, it’s important to think about how you can upgrade your home’s electrical and lighting systems to meet the demands of our modern conveniences. These updates don’t just help you save money on your electric bills—they can also add long-term value to your home and protect your family from overloads and outages.
Modernized Electrical Panels
Think of your home’s electrical panel as a command center that funnels the energy in your home where it needs to go. Even if you haven’t had to check your circuit breakers in a while, electrical panels only last between 25 and 40 years on average.
With all the gadgets we’re powering today, you want a modern electrical panel that’s up to the task. This is especially true if you plan to purchase an electric vehicle or solar panels for your home. You can even find smart panels now, which allow you to monitor and control electricity flow with mobile apps to make the most of your environmentally friendly purchases.
Energy Consumption Monitors
Purchasing a home energy monitor is a great way to keep track of exactly how your home is using electricity. These monitors connect to your circuit breaker, taking a detailed account of the rooms and appliances in your home that consume the most energy.
Most systems also provide personalized recommendations to help you improve efficiency. Combined with services like Alabama Power’s My Power Usage tool, these monitors can remove the guesswork from reducing your energy consumption, making it easier than ever to plan and save.
Smart Home Equipment
New technologies are making a fully automated home a reality for many Americans. Rather than trying to piece together several devices, you can use smart home automation to connect everything to one central hub. Whether you choose a complete smart home system or want to start with smaller devices like smart switches and USB outlets, preparing your home for interconnectivity is a smart investment for the future.
LED Lighting
There’s no doubt about it—LED lighting is the way of the future. LEDs offer significant benefits over traditional bulbs, making them a small upgrade with a big impact. LEDs are the most energy-efficient lighting technology available today, and the fact that they use 75% less energy translates to big savings—for you and the planet. You’ll also save on replacement costs, as LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer than regular bulbs.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
You may not realize it, but routine lightning storms and downed power lines can pose a major risk to your home’s electrical systems. Many of us simply throw down a power strip or two, counting on it to protect our fragile electronics. But power surges can affect more than just computers—all of your appliances, even your entire wiring system, are at risk. This is why a whole home surge protector is an important upgrade that can save you thousands on electrical repairs.
An Electricity Upgrade is an Investment
Whether your main priority is investing in your home’s value, your family’s safety, or the planet’s future, electrical and lighting upgrades can accomplish all three. We require more from our home energy capabilities than ever before—so it’s a smart choice to make sure that they’re up to the task of keeping us safe, comfortable, and connected for years to come.
Get Help Upgrading Your Electrical and Lighting Systems
Making these upgrades requires the tools and expertise of trusted professionals. Thankfully, you don’t have to make these decisions alone. To learn more about what you can do to save money and increase efficiency, give Alabama Power a call at 1-888-44-SMART!
