Electricity isn’t just about keeping the lights on – it can also add convenience, safety and even a bit of fun to your home. If you’re brainstorming ways to level up your living space, think beyond the basic outlets and switches. What custom electric projects could improve your daily life or make your home more enjoyable? From future-proof upgrades to clever lighting solutions, here are five awesome electrical ideas to consider for your home. And remember, Nomad Electrical Services loves turning these ideas into reality. Let’s spark some inspiration!
EV Charger or Garage Power Station
Electric vehicles are becoming more common – yes, even in Calgary! – and adding a 240V outlet or EV charging station in your garage might be a smart move. It’s a custom upgrade that’s both future-proof and great for resale value. If you built your own house, wouldn’t you want it “EV-ready”? Many electricians recommend running a dedicated circuit (50A or so) to the garage for an EV charger. Even if you use it for a workshop or RV plug-in in the meantime, it provides flexibility.
Nomad can install a Level 2 charger outlet (like a NEMA 14-50 or hardwired unit) neatly in your garage. Charge your car at home in a few hours, or power heavy tools with ease. No more tripping breakers because your garage freezer and table saw coincidentally run together – a properly installed high-capacity circuit will handle it. This custom electric addition sets your home up for the electric cars of tomorrow (and today).
Holiday Lighting Outlets in the Eaves
Tired of running extension cords outside for Christmas lights? This idea is pure genius and is frequently mentioned by pros: install weatherproof outlets in your soffits/eaves, controlled by an indoor switch or timer. Imagine just plugging your roof lights in once and being able to turn them on from inside (or automate them) – no ladders or tangled cords every year. We can tie these outlets into an existing exterior circuit or create a new one, often with an indoor switch in a convenient spot, such as a front hall closet.
It’s one of those small custom touches that bring big convenience (and your neighbours will be jealous at how sleek your holiday setup is!). Outlets under the eaves can also be useful for things like heated roof cables or even plugging in fancy outdoor speakers or lighting for summer parties. Nomad will ensure any outdoor outlet is GFCI-protected and properly sealed against weather.
Whole-Home Surge Protector
Power surges – often caused by lightning strikes or utility switching – can silently wreak havoc on your expensive appliances and electronics. A whole-house surge protector is a custom upgrade that adds an extra layer of safety for all things electric in your home. It’s basically a special device we install in your main panel that clamps down on voltage spikes, protecting everything from your fridge and furnace to your computers and smart TVs.
Think of it as inexpensive insurance. While good power bars offer surge protection at individual outlets, a whole-home unit protects the entire home from surges at the source. Nomad can quickly install one in your breaker panel. It’s out of sight but will work 24/7 to guard against those unpredictable surges (common during Alberta’s thunderstorm season). As far as custom electrical improvements go, this one is all about making your home safer and extending the life of your devices. It’s a small investment for a lot of peace of mind.
Backup Generator or Transfer Switch
If you’ve ever been through a long power outage (blizzards, windstorms, take your pick in Alberta), you know how valuable a backup power solution can be. Consider installing a generator interlock or transfer switch as a custom electrical project. This setup allows you to safely connect a portable generator to your home’s critical circuits during an outage.
Nomad can install a transfer switch panel that ties into key circuits (furnace, fridge, sump pump, some lights, and plugs), along with a weatherproof exterior inlet. When the power goes out, you just wheel out your generator, plug it into the inlet, and fire it up – voila, your essential circuits stay live. It’s a popular upgrade for rural homes, especially, but even in the city, it’s a comfort knowing you won’t be left in the dark or cold.
If you want to go big, we can also set up a permanent standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. That’s the gold standard of backup power: the generator senses the outage and kicks on automatically to run your whole house or selected circuits. Custom electric work like this pays off the minute there’s an emergency. Plus, it can be a selling feature for your home (buyers love seeing thoughtful additions like backup power systems).
Future-Proofing with Custom Electric Conduits and Extra Capacity
One of the smartest custom upgrades – and one you won’t “see” but will definitely appreciate later – is planning for the future. That means installing additional conduits (empty pipes for running wires) and/or a larger electrical panel during your next renovation or construction project. For example, running an empty conduit from the main panel to the attic or garage can make it much easier to add solar panels, an EV charger, or a new circuit later on. Similarly, opting for a 200A panel instead of a 100A panel, or a panel with many spare breaker slots, is a forward-thinking move. It’s like adding expansion slots to your computer – you may not need them now, but you’ll be glad to have them.
Many electricians admit that, given the budget and the time, they would “over-wire” their own houses: put outlets everywhere, add more lighting than strictly needed, run network and speaker cables preemptively, etc. So think about your lifestyle: maybe you’ll want an outdoor hot tub down the line (that’s a 50A circuit), or a workshop with a welder (also heavy draw). By increasing capacity and adding conduits now, you save money and hassle later.
Nomad is happy to incorporate these forward-looking touches. We can also install smart home wiring infrastructure – like extra CAT6 cables to each room or a structured media panel – if tech is your thing. Custom electric work isn’t only about the cool stuff today, but setting you up for cool stuff tomorrow, too!
These ideas are just starting points. The beauty of custom electrical projects is that they’re, well, custom. You can dream up something, and we’ll figure out how to do it safely and effectively. Seen a neat lighting design in a magazine? We can likely make it happen. Want your home to be a smart home? We’ll install the gadgets and the wiring to glue it all together. With electricity, almost anything is possible with the right planning and expertise.
Bring Your Ideas to Life with Nomad Electrical Services
Brainstorming fun or practical electrical upgrades is… well, fun! But making them a reality is where you need a pro. That’s where Nomad Electrical Services comes in. We love working with homeowners on creative projects like these. When you bring us an idea, big or small, we’ll discuss the options and come up with a plan that fits your budget and your home’s setup. We handle the technical details (code requirements, load calculations, permits if needed) and leave you with the finished product to enjoy.
Custom electrical work is one of our favourite parts of the job because the results are often so rewarding – a safer, smarter, or more enjoyable home for you and your family. So whether it’s one of the five ideas above or something completely different (maybe you want heated driveway mats or a secret bookcase door trigger – yes, we’ve been asked about that!), Nomad is up for the challenge.
Ready to add some custom electric upgrades to your home?
Give Nomad Electrical Services a call. We’ll work with you to design and implement electrical solutions that make your home uniquely yours. From nifty convenience features to robust power upgrades, our skilled electricians can do it all. Let’s transform those imaginative ideas into a practical reality, together.
Give our electricians in Calgary a call at 403-875-3942 and let’s start planning!