An electrical panel upgrade will give you new breakers, new efficiency, and more peace of mind.
A panel can last 30 years or even longer, but eventually, it wears down. And the newer panels are much more advanced, technologically speaking, just as homes 30 years ago didn’t have to handle the electronics demanded by today’s society.
The new box will allow you to raise the amperage – the rate of the electrical current. It’s especially timely if you are adding new items to your home, such as an oversize refrigerator, air conditioning, or multiple computers.
The upgrade will make you feel safer. Many electrical fires are traced back to aging electrical panels.
And you have increased your property’s resale value, all while improving your family’s quality of life.
How many amps?
One hundred amperes is enough for a medium-sized home.
You probably will need 200 amps if your house takes up more than 2,000 square feet.
Add more amps if you run a swimming pool or sauna or other items.
If you have a garage or outbuilding, you can add a subpanel to handle the extra demand.
Need a new panel?
Panels give us some clues when their power is waning:
• Circuit breaker trips– If a breaker trips, again and again, you could be in for a dangerous short circuit. The troublemaker may be the panel itself, the breaker, or the wiring.
• Lights flicker – This could mean you’re trying to use more electricity than the panel can provide safely.
• Age limits – While electrical panels usually last 25 or 30 or 40 years, there’s no magic date for expiration. A licensed electrician can inspect your system, establish the panel’s age and give you advice for its future viability.
Older panels provided only 50 amps, not enough for most homes today.
• Fire – You may already have had an electrical fire if you can smell smoke, see charring, or feel heat from the panel. This is a major concern.
• New uses – Adding new improvements like central HVAC, a sauna or a clothes dryer can push the system beyond its ability.
Got questions? Electrical Experts will be glad to answer them.
Our licensed, insured electricians have the experience and training to handle residential and commercial installations, repairs, and renovations.
Customers know they can trust us with everything from a simple repair to full-house rewiring. Our professionals have a strong work ethic, a thorough understanding of electricity, and a commitment to solving problems.