Taking down the Christmas lights,
undoing a spaghetti of extension cords,
reminds me again I didn't include
enough electrical outlets on
the exterior of our house.

Soooooo.....

....if costs were no obstacle, here's the many places
where additional electrical outlets might be a real convenience.

1. Here's the HOLIDAY ELECTRICAL PACKAGE:

Outlets under roof eaves for Christmas lights
(and place them on switches for easy on/off at the front porch).

***RAY If you have a gable-style roof, place an outlet near
the top peak so there's a place to plug-in the Christmas Star.

Outlets under inside of front windows for 'candle' lights
(and place them on switches as well).

Where are you going to put your Christmas tree?
****BARB Place an outlet in that corner controlled by a switch!

Place two outlets on either side of front entryway for Christmas lights.

Is there a fireplace in your new home?
Place an outlet on the mantel for decor items!

Is there a main staircase in your new home?
Place an outlet at front of the side base for a lighted garland
up the staircase.

Over the kitchen cabinets (if they are open to the ceiling),
place an outlet so you can plug-in Christmas lights to highlight decor.
In this way, you don't actually see the wires...just the glow.

Is there a wrap-around porch on your new home?
Include multiple outlets around perimeter for seasonal lighting decor.

Place exterior outlets along driveway and access point on main arterial.

2. Here's the exterior LANDSCAPE ELECTRICAL PACKAGE:

Place outlets strategically in yard for electrical mower or weed eater.

Allow electrical runs for 'future' buildings or storage sheds,
as well as possible motor home hook-ups.

Place outlets on every exterior wall for landscape lighting or yard work.

Don't forget to provide electrical package for cooking and barbecue area
***MYRON(and, place it adjacent to the gas supply line).

Include outdoor lighting for stairs, steps and walkways.

Will there be a gazebo in your landscape?
Be sure to design an electrical package for this area!

If you're including a fountain, spa, pool, wading, or hot tub...
be certain to remember electrical service for pumps, lights and outlets.

Include electrical service for future shop or work area.

And, what would any garden be without accent lights and fixtures?

3. Here's the interior UTILITY ELECTRICAL PACKAGE:

Place several outlets inside walk-in closets for charging...
batteries, pagers, cell phones, cordless flashlights...
and those worthless, every-home-has-one, dust busters!

Place an outlet adjacent to telephone jacks for caller ID box
and your cordless telephone base.

In the kitchen, don't forget about the GFI outlet under the sink
for the instant hot water dispenser and garbage disposal...
easier to add now if you think you might want them.

In kitchen walls, place outlets for under- or in-cabinet lighting.

In the laundry room, provide electrical service for clothes iron
(and, don't forget service for a built-in ironing board with a light).

Don't forget wiring and supports for ceiling fans.

Should radiant floor heat be incorporated into your new home,
be sure to include electrical service for this system.

Will a jetted tub be included in your new bathroom?
Be certain to place an outlet for the pump in the correct location!

Place outlets in the hallway and entryway.
Sometimes it's hard to find a place to plug in the vacuum cleaner.

If you are putting in a security system or intercom
(or are just pre-wiring), be sure to provide
electrical service to these areas.

Closely related: Run two cat5e (or cat6)
and two (paired) shielded coax lines (RG-6 not RG-59)
to each room of the house, coming from a central wiring box.

Place outlets in garage where car will be parked for a car battery charger.
Also, include outlets at workbench height for power tools
***CLARK (check amperage requirements of tools & equipment).

Install a whole-house surge suppressor in your main breaker box.

In the attic and crawl space entries, place outlets near the access hatches.
This will be useful for a light and to plug-in an extension cord!

If your new home is located in an area where power-loss frequently occurs,
be certain to install a sub-panel for electrical generator,
or a future alternative energy source.

***HERBIEThink Ahead: place conduit in the ground to accommodate future el runs.

4. Here's the LIFESTYLE ELECTRICAL PACKAGE:

During the design process, review your floor plan using your furniture
layout. Think about the lifestyle you want to create within the homestyle.

During the build process, do a walk-thru as soon as possible.
Re-think your electrical layout. Measure. Measure. Measure.
Mark locations of cabinets and furniture.
Define your electrical services based lifestyle needs.

Place outlets and switches in locations that are convenient for you.
***CLARK Remember: Too many switches in one area looks ugly.

Place lighting fixtures in locations that will benefit your lifestyle.

Be sure your electrical contractor reviews electrical layout with you.
The National Electrical Code determines minimum requirements,
and you'll want to meet this standard while also addressing your needs.

If your ground floor is a concrete slab-on-grade,
be absolutely certain of your cabinet and furniture locations
so the electrical service layout serves you best!

For furniture placed in the middle of a room,
place outlets and fixtures directly above or below exact location.
This includes the locations of chandeliers, table lamps, or reading lights.

Don't rely on anyone else to fully consider your lifestyle...
prior to concrete pouring or final framing, be certain to layout your home
based on electrical service required for your lifestyle and homestyle.

Place outlets on both ends of the kitchen island.

Place outlets in convenient locations at bathroom vanity,
especially if there's a 'his & hers' side
(off the sink counter and out-of-site is always nice).

For a home office, fully consider computer, scanner, printer,
answering machine, lamps, chargers, radios...need I say more?

For an entertainment center, include 2 quad outlets on center of that wall!

Do you need a plug-in for a laptop computer? Where?

Where your TV is located, don't forget the DVD, VCR, CD...
what else did I forget?...oh, yeah...satellite receiver?

In a bedroom, don't underestimate the number of plug-ins at your bed stand:
alarm clock, cordless phone, lamps. A quad outlet may be needed.

***In hallways, place small, theater-style foot lighting in the walls
at knee level controlled by a switch outside each bedroom doorway
(a great idea for getting up in the middle of the night, teenagers
coming home late, or subtle mood lighting for a party).

Consider every room in terms of its current and future use...
what is now a kid's bedroom, may become a home office or exercise room.
It's a lot cheaper and easier to place wiring now rather than later!

If you intend to include an exercise room, what are the equipment needs?

Consult with your vendor for security or audio system to determine
low-volt requirements.

For a luxury home, you may want a plug-in for heated towel rack in bathroom
(if you think you may want one now or in the future).

Okay...that's it...make sure to consider cost of adding outlets,
switches and fixtures because it sure adds up fast
when you're using a licensed contractor.

Your electrician should do a walk thru with you
discussing any particular needs you may have.

BUT...do remember: each item beyond the standard,
code required installation, is an EXTRA.

I'd be truly amiss if I didn't refer you to these SOLAR link resources:

AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY
http://www.ases.org/

SOLAR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
http://www.solarenergy.org/

SOLAR TODAY MAGAZINE
http://www.solartoday.org/

....and, read about our President & First Lady's Prarie Hill residence:

THE BUSH RANCH IN CRAWFORD TEXAS
http://www.cowboysindians.com/articles/archives/1202/1202fr1.html

BUSH LOVES ECOLOGY - AT HOME
http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0429-03.htm

Any other new locations for outlets, let me know;
I'll be doing a new segment on this topic for Down Home Radio.

Down Home Radio
http://www.DownHomeRadio.Com/

Best Regards,

Tom Landis

Owner Builder News
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