3 Electrical Upgrades to Increase Productivity in Your Home Office
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Even with more people transitioning back to the workplace, you may still need a productive home office to maintain your flexible schedule.
Carrying out electrical upgrades in your home office is an excellent way to boost productivity and increase your home's resale value. Furthermore, you can protect your devices from damage caused by an electrical surge or overloaded outlets. If you're feeling stuck in your office and need ideas on how to make the space more functional, consider investing in the following upgrades.
1. Smart Outlets with Voice Commands
Installing additional outlets is an obvious upgrade for any home office. Start by creating a plan for your office space to determine where you can install the new outlets. However, relying solely on traditional outlets could result in a clunky and unproductive space. It may be a better idea to upgrade to smart outlets.
Smart outlets can send and receive signals through your Wi-Fi system, thus automating your electrical devices. For example, you can set on and off schedules for each outlet that controls a group of devices in your office. You can also link the outlet to a mobile app on your phone to maintain control even when you're not at home.
Smart outlets also allow you to save on utility consumption. You can use voice-enabled commands to control connected devices without moving from your chair. Many smart plugs connect seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple devices. For example, if you need to dim the lights before a conference call, just speak the command into your voice assistant app.
2. Electrical Panels
Electrical panels route electric current from the main supply into your home. Unfortunately, most houses only have a single panel that serves the entire property. While this works for many people, it could be a bottleneck to home office productivity.
If you use high-capacity devices such as networking equipment, desktop computers, or printers, installing an additional panel will protect against overloads. Furthermore, you'll be able to connect more devices without tripping circuit breakers in the rest of your home.
Smart electrical panels can also track power consumption in real-time, providing a record of how much electricity you're using. And to keep your devices in good condition, an electrician can route your wiring to provide maximum protection against electrical surges.
3. Recessed Lighting
When it comes to lighting a home office, you'll want something functional and environmentally-friendly. One of the best solutions is recessed lighting. This option provides ample light while minimizing glare on computer screens or other work surfaces. Recessed lighting is also an excellent option for small offices where hanging cords result in clutter.
There are many considerations when you install recessed lighting in a home office. You should first consider what type of bulbs you'll use with your lights. CFLs and LEDs are both energy-efficient options. Furthermore, soft-white and daylight colors create a natural illumination to reduce glare and eye strain in your office space.
You can also customize recessed lighting to fit your office style. For example, you can adjust the direction of your lighting to illuminate dark areas. Remote-controlled dimming or voice activation gives you even more flexibility with your lighting options.
If you're looking for ways to increase productivity in your home office, consider these electrical upgrades. From smart outlets to upgraded panels and recessed lighting, the solutions above will protect your devices and boost energy efficiency.
Ready to get started? Contact Beckstoffer-Welsh Inc. We are the electrical contractors you can trust to turn a dull home office into a hub of productivity.
