A loft conversion is an ideal solution if your home lacks space and is often much cheaper to complete than an extension which sacrifices outdoor space.
With lots of desirable benefits, they often go ahead with much less thought than an extension. However loft conversions can still be complex to grasp, especially when it comes to the electrics.
Efficient wiring is the end goal for loft conversions. Your existing home wiring also needs to be in top condition for any chance of success. The average person will not possess the skills to wire a loft conversion safely so the number one thing you must do is…
Choose a reputable part p registered electrician!!!
Why you ask? Well, some parts of loft-conversion projects can be done by yourself, like painting and decorating. However, it is important to hire a registered part p electrician for the electrical wiring. This is because the government introduced electrical safety rules in 2005, which require a Part P-registered electrician to ensure desired safety is reached. It is also recommended to have a professional inspect the site to determine the number of rooms in the loft and its electrical needs for optimal efficiency. Once this has been done, the fun begins! Well for us anyway.
Check your existing wiring!
Before any form of loft conversion work begins, you need to have an experienced electrician inspect the state of your existing wiring. If your Aylesbury home is on the verge of needing a rewire, there’s no chance it can safely power a loft conversion too. The outcome of this inspection could result in the recommendation of a full rewire. This might seem excessive but the power demand your loft conversion needs is likely to be quite large. With a loft conversion you’ll need enough electricity to power at least the following plus more:
- Lights
- Sockets
- Smoke detectors
- Computers
- TV’s
- Showers
- Heaters / coolers & much more!
Of course this is subject to whatever you intend to use your conversion for but for most people it’s an additional bedroom and ensuite. A full rewire is also about future-proofing as it’s unlikely your loft conversion will be the only electrical pressure your home is subject to.
Powering a loft conversion
Now to answer the big one, “how do we get power up there?” Well, this will depend on a few factors. We may suggest its possible to add risers from your existing electrical system or we may think it’s better to add a separate consumer unit to solely power the loft conversion. There are of course benefits to each but generally the choice will be made on which is safer and makes the most logical sense.
Will my WIFI reach the loft?
Even though its not exactly far, sometimes loft conversions struggle to receive enough WIFI strength needed for modern day living. To solve this problem data cables and points may need to be installed to ensure the area can be used efficiently. This is something which unfortunately gets very overlooked, but it is super important – especially if you intend to use your loft conversion as a home office!
As we reach the end of this informative guide on loft conversion electrics, the most important thing customers should take away is work compliance. Remember the importance of choosing a registered Part P electrician to handle the electrics in your loft conversion! Inlight Electrical are your local Part P registered electrician based in Aylesbury. If you’re considering a loft conversion and need some advice on loft conversion electrics, please reach out to us!
