The breaker box connects your home to the grid and transfers the electricity entering your home to the various rooms and appliances you use. When the switches in the breaker box flip, an electric current flows along the copper wire and powers your electrical appliances. If your new home’s electrical panel is installed outside your home, you may be curious why your breaker box is located outside – keep reading to find out the answer.

Is your Breaker Box on the outside of your house?

Over the past 15 years, regulations have been introduced in some parts of the country that require breaker boxes to be located outside the home. This is so that the local fire department can quickly cut off the home’s power supply in the event of a fire. If your house is less than 15 years old, your breaker box is likely located outside your home.

If your home is older than this, your breaker box is probably in your house. The median age of homes nationwide is 44 years old, meaning many homes will require major electrical system upgrades to meet these new regulations. Regulations vary from state to state, so always check your National Electrical Code (NEC) for up-to-date instructions. Or, if you’re looking to reposition your breaker box, ask your local building inspector for advice on the best location.

How to know where your broken box is located

If you live in an area with overhead power lines, the easiest way to locate your breaker box is to find the maintenance head on your roof. This is where the power line connects your home to the grid. Your service panel will be located directly below the service head on one of the floors of the house or the outside of the house.

To locate a breaker box inside your home, look for metal panel doors that can be opened or large metal boxes painted to match your home’s color scheme.

How to choose the Perfect Exterior Lighting

Does your back porch look gloomy or dark? Is your front entrance not as attractive as you would like it to be? Spice up your space with some new exterior lighting systems!

Exterior lighting should make your home look warm and inviting but complement your existing décor. Choosing the right size, color, style, amount of light, and mounting height are all factors in creating a welcoming glow for your home. Here’s how to choose exterior lighting fixtures that will enhance your space.

Things to consider when choosing outdoor lights

Size

Create a balance between light that illuminates part of your spacious space but doesn’t dominate the entire exterior facade. Lighting too loud can be uncomfortable and make your home appear dwarfed.

Dimensions may vary by location. A side yard or driveway may require more prominent lighting, while your front door side lights should be smaller and more ornate. For entryway fixtures, a good rule of thumb is to choose institutions that are approximately 1/3 or 1/4 of the height of the front door.

 

Color and style

Besides size, choosing lights that match your existing style will help improve the overall aesthetic. If your home has brass fixtures or door handles, pairing these elements with similar copper-finished light fixtures creates a more finished look.

 

Lighting

The ultimate goal of exterior lighting is to brighten the space without being too overbearing. This largely depends on the location of the light and its purpose.

Side yards, driveways, or garages can use brighter bulbs or utility-type fixtures to maximize illumination. Porch lights, front doors, and backyard lights can often rely on smaller fixtures and softer or dimmer lighting to create a cozy atmosphere. Since these are outdoor lighting fixtures, choosing LED bulbs with a longer lifespan is advisable.

 

Mounting height

For most wall-mounted applications, lighting close to eye level is aesthetically pleasing. The height of the lighting fixtures is also a must to achieve the desired appeal. This is about 66 to 72 inches above the floor for most front doors, entrances, and garage lights.

Where to put outdoor lights

In addition to height, proper placement and placement will pull the look together. The entrance and front door should use two wall lights or furniture on either side of the door. Covered deck lighting depends on the size of the available space. If possible, larger fixtures like outdoor chandeliers can look luxurious if space permits.

Garage placement depends on the size and number of booths for your garage. Single-car garages can use only a single fixture next to the aisle, or a fixture on both sides of the garage door can be used. A two-car garage with two separate doors can look appealing with three lights on the left, center column, and right side of the garage front.

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