Why Smart Home Systems Should Be Installed With Future Upgrades in Mind

Technology Keeps Moving Forward

The only thing constant is change itself, and technology moves fast. Take smart homes as an example. What started as a simple system to control lights or temperature has expanded to include security systems, energy monitoring, automated blinds, appliances, and even vehicle charging.

If you install the system only to meet current needs, then you may face limitations later. Walls might need to be opened again, panels upgraded sooner than expected, or entire systems replaced. Planning ahead avoids these headaches and helps stretch your investment further.

A forward-looking electrician will consider future electrical loads, space for additional wiring, and compatibility with upcoming technologies. For example, running extra conduit or higher-capacity wiring during the initial installation costs FAR LESS than tearing into finished walls years later to do it.

What Future-Proofing Actually Means

Future-proofing your smart home system doesn't mean predicting exactly what technology will exist in 2045. That's impossible. Instead, it means building flexibility and capacity into your electrical infrastructure so that you can adapt when new technology arrives.

Think of it like building a house with extra-wide doorways. You're not predicting that you'll need a wheelchair someday; you're just ensuring that your home can accommodate if circumstances change.

Future-proofing a smart home installation includes several key elements:

• Adequate Electrical Capacity: Modern homes need 200-amp electrical service minimum. If you're still running on 100-amp service, it’s time to upgrade.
• Structured Wiring Infrastructure: Running conduit and network cabling during installation creates workspace for future upgrades.
• Scalable Network Systems: Your home network should handle more devices than you currently own. Wi-Fi 6 or newer standards, mesh network capability, and sufficient bandwidth are notable.
• Flexible Control Systems: Choose smart home platforms with open standards that work with multiple brands and protocols. Proprietary systems that only work with one manufacturer's devices will limit your options.
• Strategic Outlet and Circuit Placement: Install outlets and dedicated circuits in locations where future technology might need them.

Other Forward-Thinking Choices

While you’ve got the electrician in-house, it’s worth future-proofing not only your smart home system but your electrical system as a whole. Here are some thing to consider:

• EV Charging: Even if you don't own an electric vehicle now, running a 240-volt circuit to your garage during renovation makes sense.
• Solar Panel Readiness: Maybe solar panels aren't in your budget today, but running conduit from your roof to your electrical panel now costs relatively little during construction.
• Home Battery Systems: Whole-home batteries that store energy and provide backup power are becoming more common.
• Smart Appliances and IoT Devices: The Internet of Things keeps expanding. Robust network infrastructure and adequate electrical circuits accommodate these additions.

The incremental cost of future-proofing during initial installation is relatively small compared to retrofitting these same improvements after construction.

Work with Time-Tested Pros

Whether you're building new, renovating extensively, or just upgrading your smart home capabilities, now is the time to think about tomorrow – and the pros at Mr. Electric are best suited to get the job done right the first time around.

Mr. Electric is an established, licensed, and insured company with decades of proven expertise. Our uniformed and certified electricians can work on both residential and commercial properties.

Call or message Mr. Electric to speak with a member of our team today. We’re happy to address questions and concerns, schedule an appointment, or arrange an emergency electrical repair for as soon as possible.