Making your home smarter starts with good planning and the right wiring. Whether you're building from scratch or updating an older house, preparing your electrical system for smart technology is key.
The most important step in preparing your home for smart technology is installing proper structured wiring and ensuring your electrical panel can handle the increased load. Without this foundation, even the most advanced smart devices won't work properly or could pose safety risks.
Setting up smart home wiring isn't as hard as it sounds. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from checking what you already have to planning a system that will grow with you for years to come. Let's get your home ready for the future.
A "smart home" is more than just a collection of cool gadgets. It's a home where devices talk to each other and can be controlled remotely or set to work automatically.
Smart homes rely on three main things: connected devices, a control system, and reliable wiring. Connected devices include everything from thermostats to door locks. The control system is what lets you manage these devices—often through an app on your phone or a voice assistant. But the wiring is what makes it all possible. Without proper electrical and network connections, smart devices can't communicate or may not work at all.
People choose smart homes for many reasons. Energy savings is a big one—smart thermostats and lighting can cut power bills by up to 15%. Convenience is another benefit—imagine pressing one button to set your whole house to "away" mode when you leave. Safety features like smart locks and security cameras give peace of mind. And for many folks, there's the simple joy of modern living that comes with technology that makes day-to-day tasks easier.
Most smart homes include several key systems:
Before adding smart devices, you need to check what your home can handle.
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's power system. Many older homes have 100-amp service, which may not be enough for today's technology-heavy households. Smart homes do best with at least 200-amp service, especially if you plan to add an electric car charger or other high-power devices. Check your panel's capacity and age—if it's over 25 years old, you might need an upgrade regardless of its amp rating.
Older homes often have wiring issues that can limit smart home installations:
Walk through your home and check behind a few outlets and switches (with power off!) to see what kind of wiring you have.
Smart homes need strong, reliable internet. Test your Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. Note "dead zones" where signal is weak—you'll need to address these with better router placement, mesh networks, or hardwired access points. For the most reliable smart home, consider running Ethernet cables to key locations like entertainment centers, home offices, and security camera spots.
Setting up the right wiring now saves headaches later.
A structured wiring system brings all your home's communication and entertainment wiring to a central location. This typically includes:
While wireless technology keeps improving, nothing beats the reliability of properly installed wires for critical systems.
Smart devices vary in their power needs:
Plan power access points strategically throughout your home, especially in places where multiple devices will cluster, like entertainment centers or smart home hubs.
While Wi-Fi works for many devices, critical smart home components should use hardwired connections:
Good planning prevents costly mistakes.
Before buying a single smart device, map out your whole-home plan:
Your strategy should cover immediate needs but allow for expansion.
Some rooms benefit more from smart features than others:
Focus your budget on the spaces where smart features will make the biggest difference in your daily life.
Technology changes quickly, but good infrastructure lasts:
Know when to tackle projects yourself and when to call the pros.
Many smart home projects are DIY-friendly:
Always check local regulations—some areas require licensed electricians for any electrical work.
Some projects are best left to professionals:
These projects involve safety risks and often require permits and inspections.
Not all electricians understand smart home technology. Look for:
Get referrals and check reviews specifically mentioning smart home installations.
These popular upgrades add immediate value to your home.
Smart lighting dramatically changes how a home feels and functions:
Plan your lighting by thinking about activities in each space rather than just illuminating rooms.
Modern outlets do more than just provide power:
When upgrading outlets, consider adding more than the minimum required by code, especially in areas with many devices.
Security systems work best with reliable wiring:
Consider prewiring for security even if you'll install the actual devices later.
Electric vehicles need proper electrical support:
An EV charger is an investment that increases home value and convenience.
Smart homes need regular attention to stay current.
Even well-designed smart homes can have problems:
Create a troubleshooting log to track issues and solutions.
Technology never stands still, so plan for growth:
Preparing your home for smart technology takes planning, but the benefits make it worthwhile. Starting with good wiring infrastructure lets you add features gradually while avoiding major renovations later. Whether you're building new or upgrading an existing home, these principles will help you create a smart home that actually makes life better, not just more complicated.
Ready to start your smart home journey? Bar H Bar offers expert electrical services in Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Sandy, Draper, St George, Hurricane, Cedar City, and Washington. From basic electrical repairs to complete smart home wiring, electrical panels, interior lighting, outlets and switches, spa hookups, and EV charger installations, our team brings the knowledge to make your smart home dreams reality. Contact Bar H Bar today and take the first step toward a smarter tomorrow.
Phone
Utah County: (480) 686-2115
St George: (480) 686-5978
Hour of Service