Its Me Chrissy J

Electrical upgrades for the home can be as simple as an LED lighting strip or as complex rewire of older cables. But one thing is certain this Christmas, and that is you will rely on a lot of energy! So, from eco-friendly installations to a new kitchen, here are some to think about.

First, Look for Bargains!

Xmas and the holidays are an unusually expensive time of year. Many people go wild and spend a bit more than they should, and maybe that’s you this year! But don’t worry. Christmas is also a great time to bag a bargain! For the new stuff you might need, check out online platforms such as Amazon or shop around at electrical wholesale eCommerce stores. These always have discounts and sales in the run-up to Christmas, but you usually have to be pretty quick!

Eco-Friendly Electrical Upgrades

A US study found that around 35% of home energy is wasted. That’s quite a lot that can add up to higher bills. But worry not! There are some changes you can make to save on energy use:

• Replace older light bulbs and fittings with LED devices to save up to 90% of energy.
• Panel heaters are an excellent upgrade that can also keep your towels warm!
• High-speed eco extractor fans will remove dust and excess moisture from a room.

LEDs alone are a Godsend for saving electricity. However, even once power-hungry appliances like heaters come in eco-friendly versions that are much better for the wallet and energy bills,

The Great USB Switchover

So, you’ve got a fancy new gadget! It’s Christmas morning, you’re all excited, and you want to play with whatever it is. Oh no! It needs charging, and the kids are hogging the power sockets! Don’t despair, though. Today, you can replace power sockets with USB ones. USB power sockets are pretty much the same, except they also feature USB slots for connecting your devices directly to the main power. They’re also handy for when you lose the plug!

Give the Bathroom a Makeover

Like spring cleaning, many people like to spruce up the home at Xmas and New Year. A fresh start for the fresh year ahead. One of the main rooms of the house is the bathroom, which can get roughed up pretty quickly. So why not give your bathroom some TLC this year? With a small renovation job comes the opportunity to install some fancy new upgrades. How about that power shower you always wanted? Or safety sockets for your new hair dryer or dry shaver?

Manage the Cables of Electrical Upgrades

Today, almost 5 billion people have a smartphone, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the electricals we have. PCs, laptops, TVs, and smart devices are modern home updates, but that means a lot of cables. Here are some ways to manage your cables well.

Hire electricians for mains jobs

You can remove the unsightly mess of too many cables by having appliances connected to the mains. Lighting and entertainment units are examples. But always hire electricians to do this!

Never overload a power strip

Okay, so you have run out of space on a power strip. Do NOT plug one power strip into another. This is begging for a tripped system and increases the chances of starting an electrical fire.

Use cable-tidy gadgets

So long as your cables are safe, there are ways you can manage them. Cable tidies are easy to use and clean up the mess. You can get spirals, trunks and ties to group cables for less mess.

Trying to install mains cables yourself, if you aren’t experienced, is dangerous and probably illegal. Hire experts to install these for you. On your side, only use power strips as intended and tidy up excess cables with cable-tidies for safety and removing the unsightly mess of wires.

A Perfect Ambiance with Lighting

Christmas is all about friends and family and feeling a bit of warmth inside. The shorter days add to the cosiness, and we all know about the food, wine and candles. But sometimes you also need a little extra help. Lighting will help transform your cosy Xmas into something to remember. Sitting outside, even in the cold, can make treasured memories with some new outdoor lighting for your patio. However, indoor smart LED setups can also be controlled using your phone. 

Install a New Fire Alarm

We’ve all done it! You had a little too much wine and forgot about the turkey until the smoke alarm began blaring all over the house! As bad as this is for Xmas, what if the smoke alarm didn’t go off at all? No turkey, no Xmas, and potentially a very bad situation! It is recommended that you check your fire alarm often to see if it is still working. They last a long time but not forever. Replacing the batteries will help, but sometimes you simply need an upgrade.

Electrical Upgrades for the Kitchen

In the UK, around 50% of people get overwhelmed and stressed preparing Christmas dinner. It gets harder the more people you cook for. But you can make it a little easier on yourself:

• An overhead extractor fan will remove smoke when you burn the roasties!
• Under-cupboard LED strips add some functional light and a bit of ambience.
• Christmas is an excellent time to put a new oven through its paces.

Steam and smoke will get all over you and fill the room without proper ventilation this Christmas. Want some ambience but need to cook? LED strips will help you see what you’re doing.

Don’t Forget About Heating!

Is that a chill in the air, or is your wallet exploding because of the bills? Well, it’s both, and in the UK, the cost of energy bills are rising again in January 2025! It might seem like a costly investment now, but an upgraded heating system will save you a lot of money in the long run. Some people are seeing lower bills using heat pumps instead of gas boilers. You can also try smart heating panels you can control individually, only heating the rooms you will use.

Summary

Looking for bargains is the first thing to do before making home electrical upgrades this year, but cable management helps keep things safer and reduces the messy appearance of a room. You need heating in winter, and replacing older appliances will save money in the long term.

ChrissyJ xxx