CHANGE Is in the Air
By Dave Yelovich
You can’t do this anymore! Say what? Why? Well, here’s why…
They say there are two things for certain in life – death and taxes. Well, I’d like to add one to that list and make it three.
CHANGE! Yes, change; of that you can be certain. Change is what keeps us on our toes. When building houses in Texas you can rest assured that “change” is something you can count on. We are in the season of change with a number of new legislative changes taking place Sept. 1, 2023. On that same date The Great State of Texas had a new code taking effect that will bring about a few major changes all across the state.
Every three years the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) adopts the latest published National Electric Code (NEC). So, on Sept. 1 the 2023 NEC became the electric code statewide. In cities, this code can be amended—as long as the amendment is not less restrictive than the base code. Out in the counties the code, as written, will be the book to follow. So, if you start a house after this date there are some electrical changes to be aware of. Here are just a few highlights.
Most of the major changes involve your kitchen. For instance, if you have an island or peninsula in your kitchen, you are not required to have any electrical outlets in those areas. Yes, you read that correctly: No receptacles will be required at islands or peninsulas. However, if you have an island or peninsula, you must provide something that allows future outlets to be installed. (I envision some sort of junction box in an island if you choose not to include outlets.)
Now then, if you do decide to have outlets at your island or peninsula there are more changes you need to be aware of. The biggest change is you cannot have an outlet on the side of a kitchen cabinet anymore (like in the picture at the very top). Outlets must be installed on, or above (not more than 20 inches above), the island or peninsula countertop. To accomplish this, I see a lot more popup style receptacles being installed.
Finally, another major change in the 2023 NEC requires all appliances in a kitchen to be protected by a GFCI circuit or receptacle. Dishwashers, disposals, refrigerators, ovens, cooktops and more need that GFCI. No longer is there a requirement about being so far from a sink. They all get a GFCI.
The changes I have noted here will be adding costs to every home you build after Sept. 1. Start talking with your electrician today to get a grip on the costs and how these changes will be implemented in the field. If you are in a city, you may want to discuss the 2023 NEC changes with your local Building Department to see how they will be implementing this new code.
If you’d like to view a few short videos on these changes, feel free to visit my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HomesBuiltRight and click on the different topics.
By Dave Yelovich