Your home is full of appliances and devices that need electricity to operate and ease your daily life. Some of these appliances require large amounts of power and electricity to run. These larger items are hardwired into your home. Others have cords that are plugged into electrical outlets. The clear difference between hardwired and plug-in products is obviously the fact that one gets hardwired into your home by an electrician and the other is plugged into an electrical outlet. There are pros and cons to both types of products.
Plug
The majority of the Appliances in homes are plug-in, even the larger ones. Plugs come in various sizes and voltages depending on the power needed to run the appliance. The standard plug for an American an appliance is 110-volts and 60 hertz. Larger appliances such as washer and dryers use a three or four-prong 240-volt cord to plug into a special outlet. Smaller appliances like microwaves and toaster-ovens use the regular two-prong 110-volt cord to plug-in. Plug-in devices are easier to install and move if need be. The only limitation to plug in devices is that you can only move them as far as the cord will allow and you must be cautious not to break the plug when removing it from the outlet. It is easier to transfer a plug to hardwired than vice versa.
Hardwire
The majority of home appliances and products are plug but some appliances are hardwired. Larger in-home appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, and stovetops might be hardwired into your home. Hardwired devices are connected directly into the electrical framework of the home. These products are normally installed when the home was built or by a third party. There are some pros and cons to having a hardwired appliance. Hardwired devices have fewer wires making for a cleaner, more organized look. They are typically more expensive to install and are harder to move without professional help.
Potential Costs and Things to Be Aware Of
In the world of plugs and hardwired appliances, there are several items that you should pay attention to during purchases and home improvement work. Hardwired appliances have a higher installation cost due to the fact that the appliance must be hardwired into the home by a professional. Plug-in devices have a less expensive and easier installation however hardwired has fewer wires and looks more organized. If you are transferring from a plug to a hardwired appliance there are multiple things you need to be aware of. First, you should contact your local electrician to come out and look at the appliance you would like to hardwire to make certain that it is possible and safe. If they confirm that you are able to hardwire this device you should have a professional do it. It will be relatively inexpensive to only have to pay for labor and materials. It is less expensive to switch from plug to hardwire than hardwire to plug. You will need to install a new electrical outlet. Along with paying for the installation of an outlet, you must pay for the labor as well as the materials used. It may be slightly more costly, but your appliance will have a cord and be easily movable.
There are many pros and cons to both types of appliances. Switching from a hardwired to a plug-in or vice versa can be a challenge if you try without professional help. If you have any questions, please contact us at (484) 459-4940.