Energy Efficient Electrical Designs for New Homes

Building An Extension? Here Are 5 Electrical Installations You May Need To Make

18 February 2016

Kimberly Garrett

Typically, the bulk of an extension lies in making the structural changes, such as building a new wall or roof. However, to fully equip your new space with all the amenities you need, you also need to make several electrical installations as well. If you're planning to build an extension, the following is a list of electrical installations you'll need to consider.  

Power points

Power points are vital for almost every type of building extension. The only rooms where they are not needed are bathrooms and toilets. For the other rooms, they are a necessity. If building a bedroom, you'll need one or two for roles such as charging phones, connecting a laptop or TV, bedside lamps, hair drier, etc. Living rooms typically need more power points (about 3 or 4) because they are used by more people. Kitchens, however, need the most as they provide connectivity to a ton of appliances such as the microwave, toaster, kettle, blender, cooker, fridge, etc.  

Lighting

Unlike power points, lighting installations are vital for all types of building extensions. Even outdoor structures like verandas need lighting fixtures so that they can be used at night. You can opt for wall lighting or central lighting. Once the proper wiring is in place, you can decide what type of lighting to install when carrying out the interior finishes.

Air conditioning

Don't forget about comfort too. If the rest of the house has air conditioning, chances are that you'll need it in the new room(s) as well. If you use a ducted or multi split system, your electrician should find a way to connect the new room(s) the indoor unit by installing ducting and vents. In dire cases, you may opt to install a separate system, e.g. a single split AC, for that particular room. 

Audio/visual entertainment

For rooms such as bedrooms, playrooms or living rooms, entertainment is required or may be desired. The same applies to recreational outdoor areas such as patios, verandas, or pergolas. Think about whether you'll want music, TVs or cable TV in your new space. If you do, an electrician can carry out the necessary wiring to link that to your central entertainment network.

Telephone and data

Last, but not least, do not forget about telecommunications. You may need to use a telephone or the internet in your new extension. These two will come in handy if you plan to use the room frequently, e.g. a bedroom or a private office. Your electrician can install data cables and ports to allow you access to these two amenities for maximum convenience.

If you have any other specific electrical installations that you need put in place, e.g. alarms or intercoms, discuss it with your residential electrician before commencing work on the extension. 

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