Installing USB Outlets in an Older Home 
Are you tired of blocking your sockets when you’re charging mobile devices like smartphones, fitness trackers, and cameras at home? There is an alternative—you can replace your conventional electrical outlets with USB wall outlets, even if you live in an older house. These upgrades are simple and affordable, and in most cases, they don’t require any rewiring. Below, we’ll cover the types of options available.
Why Should I Install USB Wall Outlets at Home?
USB wall outlets allow you to plug your devices directly into your home’s circuitry for charging without using a power adapter. They are especially handy in places where you use your devices while you’re working or relaxing, like a living room, kitchen, or bedroom, or in areas where you need to plug in groups of devices, like a lamp, a powered speaker, and a tablet, or a coffee maker and a toaster.
Good places to install USB wall outlets include:
- Kitchen counters
- Bedroom nightstands
- Home office desks
- Living room side tables or coffee tables
- Garage workbenches
While USB wall receptacles have many configurations, most include two standard outlets and a maximum of three USB ports positioned in the center or on the sides of the panel. Two-outlet setups commonly include two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, but there are many combinations, and some USB receptacles are USB only. All of these receptacles can reduce your dependence on power adapters and provide a permanent charging solution with a clean look. As long as your electrical wiring and infrastructure are compatible, your electrician should be able to switch out your old outlets quickly, with no rewiring needed.
Types of USB Wall Outlet Ports
Because technology advances and people have different needs, USB wall outlets typically include one or more types of USB ports, including:
USB-A Ports
USB-A ports, which look like broad, flat, rectangular slots, are the most common type of device charging port in use today. They are especially useful for charging older devices and accessories like smartphones, wireless mice, power banks, portable fans, and electric toothbrushes.
USB-C Ports
Although USB-A ports were once nearly ubiquitous, technology is constantly evolving, and newer devices are favoring smaller, round-cornered USB-C charging connections. USB-C ports offer faster charging than USB-A ports and universal compatibility with a range of devices using a reversible connector.
Smart and Fast Charging USB Ports
Some USB wall outlets offer smart control systems and accelerated charging capabilities that give users more leverage over their operation. USB-A and USB-C ports with Quick Charge capability can charge devices over 40% faster than standard USB adapters. Many advanced ports utilize features like Power Delivery and Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV) to optimize their charging efficiency. They also include safety measures to prevent damage from overcharging.
Benefits of Upgrading to Home USB Wall Outlets
Modern USB outlets can make everyday life easier by freeing up the standard electrical sockets you already have and putting your devices within easy reach. Once you install USB outlets in your home, you can stop unplugging devices like microwaves and lamps to make room for charging your phone. You’ll also need fewer adapters and power strips, which can clutter up your space and put your circuits at risk of overload.
Plugging devices directly into USB wall outlets can help them charge faster and more efficiently, which can save energy. Also, unlike plugged-in adapters that can consume power even when they’re not in use, USB wall outlets only draw a negligible amount of power from the grid when idle.
Choosing and Installing USB Outlets at Home
When you hire an electrician to install USB outlets in your home, the process is quick, relatively straightforward, and affordable. You don’t need special wiring to make USB outlets work, but if you live in an older home, your electrician will check to make sure you have enough physical space and electrical capacity to support your new receptacle.
If your home was built before 1980 or you tend to use many high-powered appliances on the same circuit, replacing a standard outlet with a USB outlet could increase your risk of circuit overloads. In this case, you’ll want to ask your electrician for advice about where to place your new outlets to best distribute your electrical load.
Tell your electrician how many and what types of mobile devices you, your family, and your guests use most often so that they can recommend USB outlets that will best meet your needs. Note that safety features and power capacities vary. Ask if your receptacles are childproof, safe to use in damp areas, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved, and compliant with electrical codes in your area.
How the Installation Process Works
In the U.S., standard residential wall outlets provide access to 120V live current, which can create a risk of fire or life-threatening electrical shocks if you handle it improperly. When you hire a professional electrician to install your new USB outlets, they will assess your system, discuss your options, and make recommendations for replacing outlets throughout the house.
If your home wiring can safely support the outlets you choose to install, your electrician can proceed by turning off power at the circuit breaker box to relevant circuits, removing the existing wall plates, and disconnecting the old outlets. Next, they will reconnect the wires in your wall to your new USB outlets, secure their new wall plates, and restore power.
Make Life Easier With a USB Wall Outlet Upgrade
When you want to modernize your home without rewiring your electrical system, it’s nice to know that you can trade your standard duplex outlets for USB outlets without much hassle. Adding USB charging capacity can make your space feel more luxurious and livable. At Sarasota Mister Sparky, we’d love to make your life easier and more enjoyable with contemporary electrical upgrades. Call us today to schedule your USB outlet installation, and remember—when you’re looking for the best electricians in town, don’t put up with any malarky; call Mister Sparky!
