If you want to get the most out of the sunshine all year long, rather than braving the elements on a cold and damp winter’s day, why not build yourself a sunroom instead?
Sunrooms have become increasingly popular all over the world in recent years, and that trend only looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. Sunrooms serve as additional rooms on your property where you can sit, keep warm, stay dry, and enjoy the sunshine, even when the weather and seasons aren’t on your side.
Sunrooms usually offer impressive views outdoors and feature more glass than standard rooms. They usually have larger windows and doors and some even feature glass ceilings as well. Because they do serve as extra rooms in your home, having an electricity supply in place is highly recommended.
If you’re handling the electrics and wiring for your sunroom, there are several things you’ll need to know beforehand. Here are several DIY sunroom electrical installation safety and cost tips for you to follow.
Decide on How Many Electrical Outlets You Need
Before you can tackle the electrical installation of your sunroom, one of the first things you need to do is decide upon how many electrical outlets you need.
Remember, the idea behind a sunroom is that you get to sit in there, relax, unwind, enjoy the view, and enjoy the warmth from the sun when it’s cool outside. To help make you comfortable, and to make life easier for you, make sure you factor in electrical outlets.
You may wish to plug in lamps, fans to keep cool, heaters to keep warm, and things like vacuums for cleaning. As well as that, though, you’ll want to charge phones and electronic devices. You may even want a TV or computer in there.
Before you begin tackling the wiring, first decide how many outlets you need, and make sure you have enough.
Decide Where to Install Your Outlets
After you’ve figured out how many outlets you need, the next thing you need to do is decide upon where to install them. This is where it’s important to have a rough plan in place for where everything is going to go.
If you’re having a sofa or armchairs, it would be a good idea to have electrical outlets next to them for lighting and to charge smart phones, tablets, and other devices as you relax.
Don’t just install outlets anywhere and try to design the sunroom around them, instead, get a rough layout in place and you can install the outlets accordingly.
Purchase Insulated Tools
When you’re dealing with electrical installations of any kind, safety should always be your number one priority.
Dealing with electricity can pose many health and safety risks, and if you aren’t careful, it could potentially be fatal. This is why it’s so important to prioritize health and safety.
One of the simplest, most effective ways of being safer when working with an electrical installation in your sunroom, is to use insulated tools. These tools are designed to offer insulation, rather than conduct electricity. That means if you do happen to touch a live wire with them, you won’t receive an electric shock.
Make Use of Your Circuit Breakers
As far as any DIY electrical installation is concerned, circuit breakers must always be utilized safely and correctly. These offer an additional level of protection against electrical faults. If there is too much power being drawn, or if there is a faulty appliance or outlet, they’ll immediately shut down the electricity supply.
Different breakers will control different parts of your home, so when you’re installing the electricity supply to your new sunroom, make sure it’s connected to the circuit breakers.
Circuit breakers give you an additional level of security if you do make a mistake, or if there is an electrical fault. Sure, having the electricity supply shut down on you is not ideal, but it certainly beats an electrical fire, or other similar problems with the wiring in your home.
Check Codes and Regulations and Ensure You’re Compliant
Before you undertake any form of DIY or electrical installation in your new sunroom, it’s imperative that you check building codes and regs and ensure that you’re compliant.
The last thing you want is to invest a great deal of time and effort into sorting out the wiring in your new sunroom, only to find you’re in violation of several local codes and regulations. If this is the case, everything will need to be re-done from scratch. Failing to do so will land you in hot water, both legally and financially, and is just not worth the risk.
Make Note of Where Cables Are in the Wall
Another simple, yet very important DIY sunroom electrical installation tip for you to follow, is making note of where cables are in the wall.
If you’re wiring up a brand-new sunroom, you have a blank canvas and won’t need to worry about drilling into cables and wires. The last thing you want several months, or even years down the line, is to drill into them, perhaps when putting up a picture hook or frame for a new mirror.
Once you’ve installed the cables and wires, make note of where they are and keep this info safe so you can refer back in the future. It may be a good idea to take photos or videos. No matter how great your memory may be, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Shut Off the Power Before You Begin Work
Before you begin working on your sunroom’s electricity supply, make sure you shut off the power.
This is where having battery powered tools is so important. That way, you can still work without an electricity supply. Just make sure your batteries are fully charged and make sure you have spares.
Understand that Costs will Vary
Whether you’re choosing to handle the electrical installation of your sunroom yourself, or hire professional electricians to take care of the wiring for you, it’s worth knowing that costs will vary.
The amount you pay will depend upon a range of variables, including the size of your sunroom, your power requirements, the tools and materials used, and whether or not you pay to hire a professional.
A quick online search reveals that the cost of wiring up a sunroom could be as little as $1,200 or as much as $7,100. Just be aware, that those figures are only averages. It could cost slightly less, or it could cost even more.
Know When to Bring in the Professionals
Finally, although it may be tempting to try to save a few bucks and cut costs by taking on the electrics yourself, unless you’re sure you can handle it, it’s not worth the risk.
Sure, professional electricians are not exactly cheap, but they’re fully qualified, experienced, and insured. They know exactly what they’re doing and they’ll be able to get power to your sunroom professionally and safely.