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New Electrical Technology: Innovation That Benefits Property Owners

Whether you own a single-family home or large rental property in New York City, understanding new residential electrical technology can assist with making important decisions during renovations so you can attract new tenants and help the environment. Here are the top seven innovations the experts at Bolt Electric suggest you consider for your property.

Back-Up Generators

Ready for power outages

Emergency generators used to be reserved for hospitals and other vital infrastructure. Now, it seems everyone wants one for their home. Back-up generators are ideal for power losses, which happen every year due to grid overload and weather events. You are able to charge your electronics, keep the lights on, and run your refrigerator and heat or air conditioning without worry.

Adding a generator to a single-family home, duplex, or small apartment building is no longer a huge ordeal. Today’s high-end emergency generators don’t require much on the user’s end when installed by a licensed electrician. They kick in automatically when your regular power supply fails. Newer models can be connected to your gas line, so you don’t have to worry about filling them with gas either.

Upgraded Wiring

Improved safety features

Upgrading a property’s wiring during a renovation often entails replacing old electrical panels and installing GFI outlets for safety around water. You may also wish to invest in arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI). They provide extra protection from even low-level arcing, which could put your property at risk for an electrical fire. If arcing is detected, the electrical power is cut immediately.

USB Outlets

Modern convenience for devices

You’ve probably seen these newer outlets at hotels, offices, and coffee shops that draw a lot of laptop users. These outlets have built-in USB ports, so there’s no need for power adapters. This type of plug is perfect for both single-family homes and apartments. Users can charge their devices in every room of the home–great for households with teens or multiple people working from home.

Smart Hubs

Like luxury hotel living

In the past, smart hubs were the purview of boutique hotels and upscale establishments, but today everyone wants this clever technology for managing the home. You can use your mobile device or a dedicated pad to control multiple elements of your home:

• Lighting
• Thermostat (including steam radiators)
• Door locks and cameras
• Security alarms
• Window treatments
• Garage door openers
• Energy monitoring

There are systems like Alexa or Google Nest that can be utilized as well to manage the home. The key element is that the home has to be wired to respond to the smart hub. Smart home technology is an ideal way to attract tenants and charge more for rent.

Internet of Things Appliances

Our connected world

Another part of smart home technology is the internet of things. Just like humans can connect to the internet, so too can appliances now. Imagine a refrigerator that lets you know when food is expiring or an oven that explains how to cook a dish. Some stoves will shut off power when cooking is done to prevent a fire. You can get meal ingredients suggestions tailored for your unique health goals or limitations. Just ask us how we can wire your property for smart appliances, and you can take advantage of this technology too.

Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

In demand by electric car owners

If you want to attract green-leaning tenants to your property or take advantage of electric vehicles yourself, a charging station is a must. Even if you own an older apartment or office building, you can compete with more modern complexes by installing stations for occupants who park there. There are three types of electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE):

• Level 1 – the simplest type that uses basic household current but may be slow (best for overnight only charging or hybrid vehicles)
• Level 2 – uses 240-volt circuits, like those used for clothes dryers, and can be hard-wired into the property or accessed via a dedicated 240-volt outlet
• Level 3 – designed for commercial use, charging fully drained vehicles in an hour or less, but may not work with the property power supply for every building (can potentially be changed with help from the city)

Some states are already implementing laws for the eventual transition to the sole use of electric vehicles. Why not get ahead of the trend now, especially if you’re doing other electrical upgrades?

Green Energy Components

Money-saving, environmentally friendly updates

There are countless ways you can update the electrical service in your home to be more energy conscious, which also saves you money in the long run. Some of the most popular upgrades we’ve been asked about include:

• Swapping regular switches for dimmers and automatic light switches
• Installing automatic lighting and irrigation controls for landscaping
• Switching from incandescent to LED light bulbs
• Adding solar panels
• Replacing old appliances with Energy Star rated ones
• Adjusting heat and hot water settings and making sure boilers and heaters are running at optimal function
• Using programmable thermostats
• Submetering apartment units to allow tenants to pay for their own electricity

Although some of these changes involve spending money upfront, they can save on your utility bill expenses over time. The bottom line is, they eventually pay for themselves.

Choose Bolt Electric for the Latest in New Residential Electrical Technology

New York City’s Hyper-Local Blue-Chip Electrical Professionals

If you’re interested in adding any of the technology discussed above to your property, we welcome the opportunity to talk about it with you. We are experienced working with the owners of both large and small properties and are familiar with all the latest technological advances.

Call Bolt Electric today at 212-434-0098, or use our online form to schedule a consultation at your convenience. We’re confident you will enjoy having these innovations, whether you’re using them yourself or installing them to appeal to your tenants.