Lighting and outlets are a top priority at the Dahl House. We’ve previously written about how important dimmer switches are to our home, and how the Leviton Decora Smart dimmer offered a significant upgrade. The connected features—scheduling, customizable activities, and integration with voice assistants—have made daily life simpler. Pairing the Decora Smart dimmers with our Amazon Alexa-enabled Sonos speakers has made voice-controlled lighting feel genuinely futuristic.
Although outlets aren’t as glamorous as dimmers, updating them was a crucial part of our project at the Dahl House. Several outlets in our home were non-functional or not up to current code and required immediate replacement. Other outlets were working but mismatched in color, or located where we preferred USB or smart-enabled options for better convenience.
When our electrician came to install a Nest Hello doorbell camera, he noticed the stack of Leviton outlets we’d bought and was genuinely enthusiastic. As a second-generation electrician who prefers Leviton products, he praised their quality and reliability. He was particularly impressed by the Leviton SmartlockPro AFCI/GFCI receptacles. These combination outlets provide both arc-fault and ground-fault protection in a single device, helping to reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by arcing and protecting against shocks due to ground faults.
Another advantage the electrician pointed out was that many of these receptacles are self-grounding. In older homes where ground wires aren’t always present, self-grounding outlets can use the grounded metal box to establish a safe ground without the extra step of running a dedicated ground wire. Given that not all wiring in our home has been updated, installing AFCI/GFCI receptacles in key areas adds an important layer of safety and peace of mind.
We replaced all kitchen and bathroom outlets with the AFCI/GFCI models because those rooms are high-risk areas for both moisture and potential electrical hazards. In spaces where older wiring remains, these updated receptacles deliver extra protection that standard outlets can’t provide.
Leviton also manufactures combination duplex receptacles with built-in USB charging. These outlets include two high-powered vertical USB ports—one Type-A and one Type-C—providing a combined 5.1A of charging current and more than 25 watts of power. Over the years we’ve misplaced chargers while keeping plenty of cables, so having USB ports built directly into the outlet will be especially handy in high-traffic rooms like our office, kitchen, and desk areas.
In addition to hardwired outlets, we’re adding a few Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Dimmers. These devices plug into any standard outlet, allowing floor lamps or other plug-in fixtures to be controlled through the My Leviton app. They behave just like the Decora Smart dimmer switches, enabling scheduling and voice control via Alexa. Until we install recessed lighting throughout the house, most rooms will continue to rely on floor lamps, so these plug-in dimmers are a convenient interim solution for smart lighting.
Leviton provides clear installation instructions for all their products, including outlets and smart devices. Our main challenges during installation stemmed from existing wiring: a previous electrician had left conductors cut short in a few boxes, which made removing old outlets and fitting new ones more difficult. If you’re considering similar upgrades, follow a few basic precautions: always turn off power at the breaker panel, verify that power is off with a multimeter, and use the meter to check whether the box is grounded. Most importantly, if you’re unsure at any point, call a licensed electrician to avoid hazards and ensure code compliance.
It’s easy to treat outlets as an afterthought, but they play a critical role in both convenience and safety. Upgrading receptacles or switching to smart-enabled or USB-equipped models can modernize your home, free up plugs, and add valuable protection. Leviton’s lineup offers a variety of options—dimmers, switches, and receptacles—that can make everyday life safer and more convenient.
This post is sponsored by Leviton. Product was provided by Leviton for review. All opinions are 100% those of Timothy and Laura Dahl.