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lighting and electrical plan review

8 years ago
Hi Houzzers!

I just got this electric plan for my new construction. I would love to get your feedback on lighting placement, recessed lights vs. flush mounts, etc. Thank you!!!

Comments (10)

  • 8 years ago

    It's hard to tell given the small size and lack of detail. I can't tell if the lighting would be sufficient or not, though I think your kitchen lighting should be looked at a bit more carefully.

    Your guest room appears to violate code in having no receptacle on the wall between the hall door and the closets. Similarly, the upstairs hall is missing a receptacle somwhere along the wall around bedroom #4. Downstairs, while I don't have the scale for sure, I'm guessing their should be an (inside) receptacle to the left of the front door.

    I can't tell if they are there or not given the small scale of the plans, but there needs to be a receptacle OUTDOORS on both the front and the rear of the house.

    Given these rather glaring omissions, I'd have an ELECTRICIAN review these plans. In addition, there are things not depicted that are important concerns: light switches on the stairs, dedicated circuits for the laundry, kithchens, and bath, GFCI/AFCI protection etc.



  • 8 years ago

    Good eye, Ron!

  • 8 years ago


  • 8 years ago

    Hi @Ron. The images I posted initially were fuzzy, I just re-posted them and I think you'll fine the outlets you were referring to. It definitely needs to go through an electrician review but I was wondering if you and other folks might notice any glaring omissions.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I still see no receptacle on the wall in the guest room and the upstairs hallway where ones would seem to be required by code. And while I can't be sure, unable to quite determine the scale, I still believe you are missing one in the front entry/dining area. Any wall space more than 2' long needs all points on the wall to be within 6' of a receptacle.

    How tall is the ceiling in the kitchen? Are you having undercabinet lighting as well? What are the pendants you're putting over the island.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Is the room in the very far upper left the utility room where you would have your electrical panel and water heater? If it is, you will have some really long runs for hot water, and a lot of electrical wiring running across the entire house. It is better to have major utilities more central, especially your hot water heater. A water circulator will be needed if you want hot water quickly at the other end of the house.

    I'm also not sure where you will have your HVAC. Long duct runs are even more of a problem than water lines, since its hard to get a good balance of air.

    Make sure you include the power for HVAC, bathroom heat/vent units, instant hot water at a sink, or any other specialty items. I would also increase the number of exterior receptacles so that you have several near any deck or driveway area. Do the same for any items you might use in the garage. Consider adding wiring for a future electric vehicle charger.

    Who is going to plan your low voltage wiring? Its really convenient if you have all home-run wiring for cable and Cat5/6 so that it can be configured however you want. Wi-fi is great for PCs, but you can't beat a Cat 6 cable for connecting your Roku or smart TV for streaming.

    Bruce

  • 8 years ago

    Recessed lighting tends to create shadows because it's not all that good at reflecting off wall surfaces, and doesn't reflect off the ceiling at all. You can reduce the shadows by using lots and lots of cans. Undercabinet lighting helps too.

    Or you can install mostly surface luminaires and pendants instead of cans. If properly designed, they radiate some of their light outward and upward, so you get more indirect light. As a bonus, you don't make your ceiling into Swiss cheese, so your temperature-conditioned space has less air leakage potential.

  • 8 years ago

    You need a consult with a lighting designer on staff at a lighting store. Buy some of your showy fixtures from them and they might even waive the retainer fee.

  • 8 years ago

    If you haven't already, make sure you have an under sink outlet for garbage disposal and dishwasher. Personally, I hate the air push button so I use a spring loaded switch to control the garbage disposal.

    I like outlets closer to the corners of the room. And, the more outlets the better.

    Especially in the kitchen. If you have outlets under the cabinets instead of the walls, make sure they can handle USB/power heads. (like the ones that power Alexa or Google Home).

    I like have a wall switch controlling half of a duplex outlet so that I can turn on lights in a living room/bedroom, etc..

    Consider occupancy switches so that when you enter the laundry room with your arms full the light comes on. I have them in my laundry, closets, bathrooms and I am trying to think where else can I put them.

    Humidity/timer switches for bathroom fans.