Angies List: Making The Switch To USB Outlets

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Do you find yourself fighting for outlet space as your familys collection of electrical gadgets grows? If youre tired of juggling three or four different chargers on a two-socket outlet, theres a new and simple solution.

Angies List has some tips for making the switch to USB outlets.

If your home seems to be running out of outlet space, maybe its time to give your outlets a reboot.

USB outlets are a new trend and they have been available for about a year now. Electricians expect that they will continue to become more popular, Angie Hicks from Angies List said.

By adding one or two USB ports right alongside the standard plugs in your electrical outlet, you can plug your devices straight into the wall and eliminate the need for bulky USB adapters that typically hog valuable outlet space.

As peoples countertops get [busier], their islands in their house get [busier], its a convenient spot. Beside your bed because you got two outlets there. One of them is usually a switch plug, which is half hot, so you need a place to plug in your USB or your phone to charge it while your alarm clock and all thats still working, general contractor Greg Wells said.

While this may seem like a swap you could do yourself, Wells has a word of warning for homeowners.

There are a lot of do-it-yourselfers out there these days that normally end up calling us to come fix it. But, I always say stick with what you know and call somebody that knows what they know, so you dont lose your phone, wire it up wrong, lose your phone, your laptop, what have you, Wells said.

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Angies List: Making The Switch To USB Outlets