Transform Your Brooklyn Apartment’s Electrical Setup Without the Hassle of Full Rewiring

Living in a Brooklyn apartment often means dealing with the charm of pre-war buildings—beautiful architectural details, solid walls, and unfortunately, a serious shortage of electrical outlets. Older buildings may have been constructed when electricity usage was much lower than it is today, with only three or four outlets and 40 amps per apartment as the norm. But before you resign yourself to a maze of extension cords or consider expensive rewiring, there are several safe and practical solutions to add more outlets to your apartment without major electrical work.

Understanding Your Apartment’s Electrical Capacity

Before exploring outlet expansion options, it’s crucial to understand your apartment’s electrical limitations. Understanding a little about the way electricity works in the home will help you use power safely, especially when you’re dealing with old wiring. Most standard outlets you’ll find in an apartment support 15 amps, while with all the modern amenities used today—such as air conditioning, and a variety of kitchen appliances, 40 amps is rock bottom. For context, one-bedrooms being built today will usually have at least 100 to 150 amps to satisfy the code requirements for usage.

A critical safety consideration is understanding the difference between grounded and ungrounded outlets. Understanding the difference between grounded and ungrounded outlets is crucial, especially in older apartments. Grounded outlets have three prongs and offer an extra safety layer by directing excess electricity into the ground, preventing electrical hazards. Many older buildings, however, still feature two-prong, ungrounded outlets, which can pose risks when used with modern electronics.

Safe Solutions for Adding Outlets Without Rewiring

Power Strips and Outlet Extenders

If your outlets are in inconvenient locations, or if you don’t quite have enough plug space for your needs, you have two basic options: power strips and outlet extenders or extension cords. Power strips and outlet extenders both add more plugs to a single outlet. However, safety is paramount when using these solutions. Don’t plug high-wattage electronics into power strips. At best, this might cause the power strip or the circuit to trip, but at worst, it can also increase the risk of electrical fire.

Strategic Use of Extension Cords

While extension cords can provide temporary solutions, they require careful consideration. Extension cords allow you to plug in an appliance that’s too far away from available outlets. For safety, you should not leave an electronic plugged in via an extension cord when the item is not in use, nor should you use more than one extension cord for the same item. Extension cords force the electrical current through greater distances and leave your apartment more vulnerable to electrical damage.

Professional Outlet Installation

For a permanent solution, professional outlet installation is often the safest route. If you have a receptacle on the wall right behind that new TV wall, you can often use it to power a new receptacle and redecorate to your heart’s content. However, The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets specific rules about receptacle loads and placement. Some rooms, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas, require circuits that can only serve that specific room or ancillary areas. If you start adding random extra receptacles, you could be in violation. Check with your local code authority to see if your plan is sound, or if you need a permit.

Important Safety Considerations

When working with limited outlets, managing electrical load becomes critical. This will help you avoid overload, which can cause tripped circuits and fires. You’ll do this by looking at your appliances and electronics to figure out how many watts they use when they’re on. Once you have a general idea of how much power each item uses, all you need to do is add those numbers up to make sure you don’t overload your circuits or outlets when using electronics at the same time on the same circuit.

High-wattage appliances require special attention. An air conditioner almost always needs its own line. Even a small, standard window unit will generally take up 7.5 amps, and is safest if given an entire outlet to itself, according to the Department of Energy’s guidelines. In other words, if you’re planning to add a power strip or an extension cord to the room, do it on a different outlet than the one that controls your AC to avoid a power surge.

Legal and Rental Considerations

For renters, outlet modifications present unique challenges. Only a homeowner and an electrician can replace an outlet. Since you are renting, the answer is no. Additionally, For renters, unfortunately, you’re more or less between a rock and a hard place when it comes to adding outlets. If the wiring complied to code when it was installed, the landlord almost never has an obligation to upgrade. In other words, tenants aren’t entitled to a set amount of electrical current.

However, Living in an apartment, you can and should always turn to your landlord when it comes to more intricate electrical outlet tasks, such as rewiring. If the outlets in your apartment aren’t up to code, your landlord is responsible for making sure the outlets are safe and working. If you experience problems with outlets, such as outlets that don’t work or outlets that give off excessive sparks when plugging in or removing a cord, talk to your landlord. She should send over a qualified electrician to repair the outlets.

When to Call a Professional

Certain electrical work requires professional expertise. Electrical work in NYC apartments and buildings requires an electrical permit. Failure to obtain a permit can result in legal consequences for both the property owner and the unlicensed worker, including summonses and fines. To ensure compliance, it’s essential to hire licensed and certified electrical contractors registered with the Department of Buildings (DOB).

If you’re considering professional outlet installation, working with an experienced Residential Electrician in Brooklyn ensures your project meets all safety codes and regulations. ElectrifiedNY.com is a family-owned electrical company serving Brooklyn, known for honesty, integrity and providing professional and personal customer service. Our team of certified electricians have completed thorough training and are knowledgeable in safety regulations and local building codes. Everyone on our team has passed rigorous license requirements.

Cost Considerations

Professional outlet installation involves significant investment. If each room only has one or two outlets and you want to add more, things could get pricey. Each “dedicated line”—which can support three or four outlets, about the amount you’d want in a given room costs between $700 to $1,000 to install, depending on how far it is from the circuit breaker in your apartment.

Practical Safety Tips

While working within your apartment’s electrical limitations, follow these essential safety practices:

• Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use, especially high-wattage appliances. This frees up outlets for other usage and reduces the risk of fire from overload if something is turned on by accident
• Don’t let cords get pinched against the wall by furniture—this kind of thing happens when a cord gets bent by, say, a bed pressing it up against the wall. This very thing caused a fatal fire in Williamsburg several years ago. If you avoid pinches, as well as running extension cords near rugs, hanging them from nails, or putting them anywhere where they might get wet, you should be able to rest easy
• You should be especially careful in the bathroom not to use electrical appliances near water sources, as water coming into contact with electricity can cause electric shock. If you must use the appliance near a sink, make sure the sink is off and all surfaces are dry before proceeding

Adding outlets to your Brooklyn apartment doesn’t always require expensive rewiring. By understanding your electrical capacity, using safe temporary solutions, and working with qualified professionals when necessary, you can create a more functional living space while maintaining safety standards. Whether you choose power strips, strategic extension cord use, or professional installation, the key is prioritizing safety and code compliance in every decision.