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14 Nov, 2016
Posted by Reactive IT
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Choosing the Right Electrical Outlets for Your Home


Think about the electrical outlets in your home. Safety and functionality should be the priority. The right choices can even add to the aesthetics of your home and make your dwelling more energy-efficient.

Read on for a detailed guide on how to go about the options given, ensuring that at the end, you make informed decisions suited to your needs.

Understand the Basics

First of all, it is good to comprehend the different types of outlets available:

  • Standard Outlets: Most homes will have these relatively standard throughout. Great for general use appliances.
  • GFCI Outlets: These are required to be installed in areas where moisture is expected, like the kitchen and bathroom. They help prevent electrical shocks by cutting off the power supply if a surge of electricity is detected.
  • AFCI Outlets: These outlets, typically found in bedrooms, are designed to prevent fires by detecting and suppressing arcs in electrical circuits.
  • USB Outlets: These have grown in popularity, especially in modern homes, for charging devices without the need for bulky adapters.
  • Smart Outlets: These outlets allow you to control appliances remotely and monitor energy usage, adding a layer of safety and convenience.

How to Choose the Right Outlet for Your Needs

Location matters.

The type of outlet you should use may depend on where you plan to install it:

  • Wet Areas: Make sure your bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor outlets in these areas have GFCI outlets to reduce the risk of electrocution from water-related electrical hazards.
  • Bedrooms and Living Rooms: Consider AFCI outlets to protect against any kind of fire danger from electrical arcs.
  • Workspaces and Kitchens: In workspaces and kitchens, installing USB and smart outlets is a good addition for easily charging devices and smart home integration.

Safety First

This is important—safety considerations. For homes with young children, consider installing tamper-resistant receptacles. They have a built-in shutter mechanism that won’t allow foreign objects to be inserted into the receptacles.

Future-Proof Your Home

Think long term when it comes to using your outlets. Considering these modern-day gadgets which require USB charging, adding USB outlets might help reduce the clutter of charging cables and the need for multiple charging adapters for devices. Smart outlets can also offer future-proofing benefits by allowing you to control and automate appliances remotely.

Aesthetic and Practical Considerations

Outlets are available in various designs and finishes that best fit home decor. Consider the color, style, and whether the outlet has to be flush mounted or not; this can have a direct effect on the room’s look.

When to Upgrade

You would also want to change the outlets if there are outward signs of wear: discoloration, damage, or the plug stops securely holding into place. In case you are remodeling or the outlets are currently not appropriate for your needs, it is still advisable to make changes that will enhance the safety, efficiency, and convenience of use.

Installation and Compliance

Make sure your electrical installations conform to the local codes and standards. It’s always recommended to get the installations and upgrades done by a qualified electrician to ensure that the work is up to the code and, most importantly, for your safety.

Having the knowledge of the type of outlet and the application needed can increase the safety level in the home electrical system, along with giving more aesthetic and functionality values. From new home construction to improving an existing one, the right choices in electrical outlets can make a huge difference.