With the explosion of home renovation shows such as House Detective, Holmes On Homes and Income Property, you would be hard pressed to find the person who isn’t aware that any renovation of an older home would require the specialized services of a licensed, qualified electrician. Often conjuring up images of the older, ‘quaint’, 40+ year-old home, the word “renovation” has almost become synonymous with a neglected home in disrepair, complete with bundles of wiring that could pass for extension cords. Obvious stuff that would appear glaringly unsafe to the average person.

What doesn’t come to mind is your typical, one or two-story home built anywhere from the 1980’s to early 2000’s.  But in today’s housing market, doing a kitchen and bath remodel could mean the difference between a sale and seeing no movement at all. Whether it’s to compete with newly built homes in a weak housing market or to increase the value and enjoyment of one’s home, a homeowner would be prudent to consult a licensed electrician when making any updates to their home. There can be unforeseen dangers when combining newer, modern appliances and lighting with existing wiring and a licensed electrician can inspect and update your home’s electrical framework, ensuring its safety and increasing energy efficiency.

In a case of one trend bringing about another, the increasing popularity of in-home offices and theater rooms has  sparked the inclusion of structured wiring, or heavy-duty electrical and data cables designed to manage the latest (and yet-to-be-invented) electrical devices. Take into account that almost 50% of new homes built in 2008 included structured wiring and you can see that this trend could very well become the norm in the near future.

For questions or a free consultation and estimate on updating your home’s electrical infrastructure, call Bryant Electric Service at 512-402-8587.

The digital age has made us especially reliant on technology - and electricity - for our entertainment, and most kids are even more plugged in than their parents. So when the power goes out, finding fun and engaging activities can be tough. Need some electricity-free activities the whole family can enjoy? Give these a try.

*Exercise caution when using candles as a light source