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Basic smart light switches are available for as little as $20. If you can install them yourself, it’s a home upgrade that won’t break the bank. Many homeowners view them as a worthwhile investment for the additional convenience and security they can offer. However, they are a little more tricky to install than standard light switches, so if you don’t have the electrical knowledge to do a DIY job, unless you need a lighting upgrade, remember these are a nice-to-have rather than a necessary purchase.

To upgrade electrical systems in older homes, you might need to reroute new wires with lath and plaster walls. That’s because it’s more challenging to get inside the walls of an older home compared to a modern home, which usually uses drywall. But there are easier ways to level up your electrical game in an older home. For instance, you can swap out an old furnace for a new electric heat pump, or you could use a heat pump for water heating.

Smart glass doesn’t use a lot of electricity, and you can expect a standard window to add between $1 and $2 per year to your electric bills. Smart glass is proof that energy-efficient windows work. Although your smart windows may consume a little energy to operate, they can save enough energy to offset the costs. If you’re concerned about the minimal bump to your electricity consumption, you can opt for smart tint, which doesn’t require electricity to work.

Yes, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires at least one GFCI outlet in each sectioned-off portion of an unfinished basement, partly to ensure a power source is available for a sump pump in case of flooding. If you install multiple outlets in your unfinished basement, all of them must be GFCI-protected. For finished basements, standard outlets are generally permitted, but at least one GFCI outlet is still required per circuit. Keep in mind that local municipalities may have additional codes, so it's best to consult a licensed electrician to ensure your home is fully compliant.