When renovating a house, many decisions need to be made. One of these is the type of utility services you will be planning to select. Using the wrong one can have a major impact on your finances and lifestyle. In this article, we’ll take a look at 4 types of utility services and discuss why you should choose them wisely.
1. Gas Or Oil
Gas provides heat and it can be used in appliances such as ovens and stoves. Natural gas is another option for gas service and it’s becoming more popular due to its environmental benefits. When renovating houses, owners usually need to make decisions regarding existing gas pipes. Whether you want them changed or removed entirely depends on your personal preference because there are pros and cons associated with both choices.
If you want something that burns hotter than natural gas, heating oil could be your viable alternative. If you want to burn less fuel and yet heat the room space in half the time, this is your option. Many online companies that supply heating oil provide quick deliveries and offer 24/7 maintenance services to cover emergencies. They also feature special pricing plans, service contracts, heating equipment, and advice on preventative maintenance.
2. Electricity
The electricity in your home is what enables you to use appliances and charge devices/machines such as laptops and mobile phones. Your electrical system should be able to handle all your household uses, having sufficient capacity for everything from microwaves and computers to garage door openers and garden irrigation systems.
When it’s time for renovation, you may think about upgrading existing electricity lines and putting in new ones. Larger cables will reduce voltage drop over distance, so if you have an older home with small wires (which might cause blackouts during peak usage times) it’s worth discussing this with your electricity company. If you are putting in new electricity lines, it’s best to go with an electrician who can recommend what cables or voltage capacity you will need.
Solar Power
You could install solar panels to generate your own electricity. This would enable you to reduce your reliance on the grid and could save you money in the long run. However solar panels require a fair amount of maintenance (cleaning them every few months to ensure maximum efficiency) so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.
3. Water And Sewerage
Both of these systems have a lot of hidden costs associated with them, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision. Here are four types of services that you should be aware of:
- Municipal water and sewerage: this is the most common type of service. It’s provided by your local municipality and usually comes with a monthly fee.
- Private water and sewerage: this is a more expensive option, but it can be worth it if you don’t want to deal with maintenance issues or wait for repairs. Private companies are generally more responsive to water and sewerage issues.
- Water only: this is a good option if you don’t need sewerage services, but want access to water for things like gardening or washing your car. It’s the cheapest type of water service available, but you might end up paying more in taxes (for public water infrastructure).
- Combined water and sewerage: this is the most expensive option but if you have gas appliances as well, having everything on one bill can be more convenient.
A private septic system is a good option if you have a large property. They require regular maintenance, so be sure to factor that into your budget.
4. Telecommunications
Telecommunications play a crucial role in our modern lives. Home telecommunications can be classified into cable, fiber, and DSL services. Cable service is generally provided by your local cable company and provides all the popular TV channels through coaxial cables to your home entertainment center.
Fiber optics offer speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional Internet connections. It has become extremely reliable over the years, having little downtime or issues compared to other types of telecommunications. DSL broadband internet access offers varying speed options depending on how close you are to the source connection box.
You’ll also need to think about your garbage disposal requirements before you complete the renovation work. Ultimately you’ll need to do some online research and speak to building specialists and utility providers. If you choose wisely, your utility services will become vital tools for the success of your latest building project.
