Home / Blog Posts / Powering the Modern Kitchen: 10 Do’s and Don’ts When it Comes to Electrical
15 Oct, 2022
Posted by Vittetoe Web Team
0 comment
Powering the Modern Kitchen: 10 Do’s and Don’ts When it Comes to Electrical
“Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.”
– Andrew Zimmern
Many components go into a major kitchen remodel project. That’s because not only does your kitchen contain everything that is needed to prepare meals, it’s also the centre of communications. A well-planned, modern kitchen gives your family home a focus and a direction.
Power the kitchen of your dreams
At Vittetoe Electric, we understand that responsible kitchen design is the key to unlocking a family space that works for every member of your household. We’ve put together our top 5 electrical considerations when it comes to remodelling a kitchen:
DO ensure you have plenty of circuits. Good planning is essential to powering your kitchen appliances and devices. A typical electrical layout might include 9-10 circuits: one each for the refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, microwave, and lighting. The stove will typically require two circuits.
Our certified electrician must follow code when creating the layout and will be able to advise further for your individual household needs. We recommend that you list all your appliances to our electrician before the remodel so that they can advise if you require more circuits if necessary.
DO consider if your electrical systems can handle modern kitchen appliances. Unfortunately, older homes simply weren’t wired to cater to modern appliances and their circuit breakers might not be able to handle the load! Another specialized consideration for an older home is the necessity to rewire your kitchen. Our electricians may have to do this to ensure that your electricity is safe.
DO plan for electrical outlets. A big factor in the perfect and functional kitchen is the placement of electrical outlets. It’s best to first consider where your big appliances will be located. Your electric range and refrigerator will require its own outlet. Although smaller appliances don’t necessarily require their own outlet, you may consider it for permanent smaller appliances, such as your dishwash and garbage disposal.
DON’T forget to put your family’s safety first. A typical kitchen will feature a sink and be susceptible to spills, so it’s important to protect against electrocution from liquid contacting your appliances by having ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets installed in your kitchen.
How does a GFCI work? The GFCI will “sense” the variation in the amount of electricity flowing into the circuit to that flowing out, even in amounts of small current. The GFCI then reacts swiftly to trip or shut off the circuit.
If your kitchen does not already have GFCI outlets fitted, Vittetoe Electric will make sure this happens during the remodel.
DON’T leave your lighting until last. Lighting is often an overlooked element in a kitchen design, yet with the proper laying of light you can create the perfect atmosphere for any time of day. As well as ensuring that all light fixtures are safe and stationed away from the sink, Vittetoe Electric can help visualise your lighting plans.
DO consider where your water sources are in your kitchen. It goes without saying, but electrical sockets and switches should always be fitted at a safe distance away from any water sources, including your dishwasher and sink.
DO think about how your family uses the space. A well-designed kitchen is the hub of a household. With more electronic devices in use every day, consider if you need any data ports fitted in your kitchen. If your kitchen island doubles as a workspace or you frequently rely on Alexa for the latest cooking tips, talk to your electrician about installing the necessary outlets to keep the whole family fully charged.
DON’T forget to plan for the future! 57.4 million households in the US are actively using smart home technology in their home in 2022. Are you one of them? Or will you be? Smart technology allows you to control lighting, plug sockets and other appliances from an app, potentially removing the need for wiring that could interfere with your cooking space.
DON’T try to DIY! Never attempt a significant electrical installation, upgrades, or rewiring without a fully certified and qualified electrician.
DO contact the professionals at Vittetoe Electric. Our highly skilled electricians can speak to you about the best approach for your kitchen’s electrical plan. Our mission is to service each client with a highly trained and courteous technician that is dependable and always trustworthy.
Ready to begin? Contact us today to find out how we can help power the kitchen of your dreams. We’re available to learn more about your kitchen project, advise and bring your planning to life with an efficient and safe electrical system that works for you.
Always Hire Professionals
No matter urgent any electrical repairs seem, it’s never okay to attempt to handle them on your own. Trying to take care of electrical problems without professional training is extremely dangerous. If you or someone else aren’t hurt during your attempt, there’s still a chance that you’ve left something undone that poses a huge risk to you, your home, or your family. In fact, faulty electrical wiring is the number one cause of house fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. So in order to make sure that your home is safe, rely on a professional for any electrical services.