Working From Home? Upgrade Your Electrical System to Improve Productivity!

If you are new to the world of work-from-home—or ‘WFH'—you may not have given much thought to how you can improve your home office productivity. Though you think your current home office setup is more than enough, there are several upgrades you can make to improve your WFH experience. In this article, we will look at some simple electrical upgrades that can significantly boost your WFH productivity.

Lighting

Even if the lighting is the last thing that comes to your mind, it can make or break your WFH experience. Hiring local electrical contractors and getting the lighting right is essential to create a productive home office setup. Ceiling lights, ambient lighting, and even desk lamps should all be a part of your home office—these are all critical elements for completing assignments and joining Zoom sessions. In addition to providing improved visuals for conferences and assignments, the general ambiance of a room can influence how productive you are and how well you feel at work. Inadequate lighting can induce exhaustion and an inability to focus, while dim lighting can cause eye strain and headaches. Adequate, bright illumination is critical to your productivity and effectiveness when you are working remotely.

Dedicated Circuit

Many people who work from home never think about the quality of their computer circuit until they experience a crisis. Homes older than ten years are not usually equipped to handle all of our modern devices. Therefore, if you plug in too many electronic gadgets to keep your home office humming, you risk overwhelming the current circuit. When circuits trip, your sensitive home office equipment—think of your Macbook—can get damaged, and you may end up losing your valuable work. Old and outdated wiring may also contribute to the problem. A circuit breaker offers some protection, although it is not always guaranteed. Having a dedicated circuit for your home office is the best way to keep things running smoothly when you work from home.

Hard-Wired Connection

When working from home, you are more likely to be productive if you have uninterrupted access to high-speed internet. Though most smartphones and laptops have Wi-Fi capabilities, relying too much on your Wi-Fi has several downsides. Depending on where you live, the Wi-Fi in your area may be unreliable or exposed to hackers. Poor video quality during video conferences, lower security, overload from multiple devices, and network lag are some of the more common issues associated with a poor Wi-Fi connection. A hard-wired Internet connection solves these issues very easily, making your internet access much more reliable. It is also more secure, provides superior connectivity, and allows you to add multiple devices to the Wi-Fi network.

Panel Upgrade

Keep in mind that the electrical demands on your system are not limited to the devices in your home office. HVAC systems, lighting, and home appliances all add to the demand on your electrical system, limiting your ability to work productively from home. To prevent undue load on your electrical system, you may need to upgrade your electric panel. This is all the more important if the electrical panel in your home is more than ten years old. When overworked, even electrical panels with circuit breakers can overheat and start a fire. Therefore, hiring residential electrical contractors to assess your needs is critical to your work productivity and your and your family’s safety.

The Last Word

Working from home offers many advantages, but it also has some drawbacks. Hiring an electrical contractor and ensuring your electrical system is up to date and reliable can help you maintain your WFH productivity.

For over 30 years our electricians at Dahan Electric have been providing the metropolitan area with professional electrical Contractor services.