Top 3 Electrical Plan Errors You Don't Want to Make

8th July 2024

Finance & Budgeting Pre-Construction Design & Trends Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Smart Home & Tech

Discover the top three electrical plan mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them. From PowerPoint placement to lighting and switch locations, this guide ensures your new home is both functional and future-proof.

Top 3 Electrical Plan Errors You Don't Want to Make

When designing your dream home, electrical planning might not be at the top of your list—but it should be. Overlooking small details in your electrical plan can lead to major frustrations once you move in. In this episode of the Home Building Hub Podcast, hosts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan break down the top three electrical plan errors that home buyers make and how to avoid them.

1. Incorrect Placement and Insufficient PowerPoints (GPOs)

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is misjudging the number and positioning of General Power Outlets (GPOs), commonly known as PowerPoints.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Review your electrical plan early. Builders often provide standard electrical layouts, which may not suit your specific needs.
• Check each room’s requirements.

• • Living areas: Ensure enough PowerPoints for entertainment units, lamps, and chargers.

  • Bedrooms: Consider PowerPoints for bedside lamps, phone chargers, and potential wall-mounted TVs.

  • Kitchen: Include PowerPoints on both sides of the bench and at least one on the island bench.

  • Walk-in pantry and broom cupboard: A great spot for charging appliances or vacuum cleaners.

• Be mindful of PowerPoint heights.

• • Standard heights may not be convenient for daily use.

  • Wall-mounted TVs or work-from-home setups may require higher placements.

2. Poor Light Switch Placement

Another common oversight is placing light switches in inconvenient or impractical locations.

Best Practices for Light Switch Placement:

• Avoid placing switches behind doors. This is a frequent mistake that leads to frustrating accessibility issues.
• Separate switches for different lighting zones.

• • Have a separate switch for kitchen bench lights and general room lighting.

  • Add a switch near vanity mirrors in bathrooms.

• Consider two-way switches.

• • Hallways and staircases should have switches at both ends for convenience.

  • Bedrooms can benefit from a switch near the entrance and another near the bed.

• Install sensor lights in key areas.
• • Walk-in pantries, linen cupboards, and garages can be much more functional with automatic lighting.

3. Misplaced or Insufficient Downlights and External Lighting

Downlights and external lighting play a huge role in the ambiance and functionality of your home, but many homeowners fail to plan them properly.

How to Get It Right:

• Understand what your builder provides.
• • Some builders include downlights throughout, while others provide basic batten lights in bedrooms and secondary spaces.
• Plan based on room function.

• • Dining areas and kitchens require brighter lighting.

  • Lounge areas may need dimmable or softer lighting options.

• Group downlights efficiently.
• • Ensure that switches control appropriate groups of downlights to avoid turning on excessive lights at once.
• Consider external lighting.

• • Add lights near laundry exits, side access points, and backyard entertaining areas.

  • Decide between standard, sensor, or smart-controlled lights.

• Future-proof your home.

• • Add capped points for future upgrades.

  • Plan for feature lighting like pendant lights in bedrooms or external downlights in eaves for a polished look.

Bonus Tip: Don't Forget Data Points

If you plan to use wired internet connections, ensure you have enough data points in key areas like home offices, living rooms, and entertainment hubs.

Key Takeaways

• PowerPoints: Check numbers, placement, and height to suit your lifestyle.
• Light switches: Avoid impractical locations and use two-way switches where needed.
• Downlights & External Lighting: Plan locations, understand builder inclusions, and consider smart lighting solutions.
• Future Planning: Install capped points for future lighting and electrical needs.

Glossary of Terms

• GPO (General Power Outlet): Another term for a PowerPoint.
• Batten Light: A basic single light fixture often included as standard in bedrooms.
• Two-way Switch: A switch that allows you to control a light from two different locations.
• Capped Points: Pre-installed electrical wiring capped off for future lighting installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I determine the right number of PowerPoints for my home?

Start by listing all appliances and devices you’ll use in each room. Then, consider daily activities and furniture placement to ensure accessibility.

2. What’s the best way to plan lighting for my home?

Think about functionality—brighter areas for workspaces and kitchens, softer lighting for bedrooms and living rooms. Use a combination of downlights, pendants, and feature lighting.

3. Should I invest in smart lighting?

Smart lighting allows you to control brightness and settings remotely, which can improve energy efficiency and convenience. It’s worth considering, especially in main living areas.

Listen to the Full Episode

For a deeper dive into electrical planning for your new home, listen to the full podcast episode: Top 3 Electrical Plan Errors You Don't Want to Make.

About the Home Building Hub Podcast

The Home Building Hub podcast, hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan, is Australia’s premier resource for new home buyers. With weekly episodes featuring special guests, the podcast provides objective, high-quality insights into the home building process—completely free and without sales pitches. From understanding financing options to navigating the complexities of building a new home, each episode is packed with actionable advice and tips.

Explore more episodes at Home Building Hub and join our growing community of informed home buyers.

Disclaimer

Whilst we’re all about providing value to you, this article should not be considered as legal or financial advice. It contains general information only and is based on the content discussed during the podcast episode. This information is relevant to the episode’s release date and may not be applicable at the time of reading. Always seek independent professional advice tailored to your personal situation before making any legal or financial decisions.