Chat with an electrician made me rethink my panel placement

Had an old electrician named Frank look at a job I was doing in a house near Oak Park. He said I always hide the panel in the basement, but for one particular ranch layout it would have been smarter to put it in a hallway closet. Made me realize I've been defaulting to basements without thinking about quick access for the homeowner. Anyone else have a habit someone called them out on that stuck with you?

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_hall1mo agoMost Upvoted

Frank's got a point but I think you might be selling basements short depending on the area. In colder climates homeowners actually like having the panel down there because it's away from kids and guests and they don't have to look at it. Closets can be a problem with code violations if you don't leave enough clearance for the door swing and shelves. Did he mention anything about the local codes in Oak Park? That can really change what makes sense.

susanb341mo ago

Changed my mind completely, never thought about basements that way before.

piper7791mo ago

Susan, hold on. Are we really acting like Frank's basement ramble is some kind of life-changing revelation? It's a room downstairs that's a little damp sometimes. I get being surprised by a new idea, but "never thought about basements that way before" sounds like he just told you the secret to cold fusion. Must be nice to have that kind of free time for deep basement philosophies.