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7 Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement

Sep 27, 2021

Your electrical panel, or “breaker box,” is an essential component of your home. Just as the roof and walls shelter you from the elements, your electrical panel is responsible for keeping your HVAC running, your lights on, and your water hot. Everything in your home that uses electricity runs through the electrical panel.

Your home’s power is extremely vital to your safety and your home’s safety. When considering an electrical panel upgrade, you want to hire a contractor who covers all types of electrical services to ensure that your connections reliably and adequately provide power to your home. Many electricians will also be able to let you know when it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade.

Here are some things to consider and signs that it may be time to get an electrical panel upgrade for your home!

Breakers Trip Repeatedly

Breakers can trip for many reasons一problems with your home’s electrical panel, faulty wiring, or a bad breaker. Once all simple fixes are run through, and especially if you notice burn marks or rust on the breaker, it is likely time for an electrical panel replacement. 

Your Home Has a Fuse Box

Fuse boxes are in most older houses. Visually a fuse box and electrical panel are very different. While an electrical panel has switches for each circuit, a fuse box has circular fuses connected to each circuit. 

If your home has a fuse box, it is definitely time to reach out to a licensed and certified electrician to help you with an electrical panel replacement. You want to keep your home up to code and there is no fuse box in any home in the country that complies with minimum standards.

Ensuring your home is compliant with electrical codes ensures your home’s safety and increases your property value immediately. 

Odd Sounds from Breaker Box

A light “buzzing” sound coming from your breaker box is generally expected and considered safe. However, you should note any “popping” or “crackling” coming from the breaker box. These sounds can signify arcing within the breaker and need to be serviced by a qualified electrician as soon as possible. 

Teams like Safe and Sound Electric will diagnose the issue and suggest an electrical panel upgrade if necessary. Your home’s safety is paramount, and you want to make sure that everything is working properly, regardless of the solution.

Home Is More Than 20 Years Old

While having an older home may not necessitate an electrical panel upgrade if you have improved your current device, it is still good to have an electrician do an inspection. 

These inspections ensure your electrical system is up to code and will reveal what (if any) improvements need to be made, especially if you are considering a remodel or new appliance installation. 

Burning Smell from Breaker Box

As with anything electrical, a burning smell is never a good sign. It can be a sign of major and dangerous issues with the breaker box and your electrical system as a whole. If you smell burning from your breaker box, call an “electrician near me” from a trusted contractor to ensure a safe and quick inspection.

A burning smell from the breaker box could be a sign of…

Melted Wires and Scorch Marks

A burning smell means heat, and heat means melting and scorching. The heat from old electrical wiring or faulty breakers can melt the shielding on the wiring. Exposed wires can scorch the metal and plastic inside the breaker box. These conditions can easily cause the electricity to arc, starting a fire.

Things to look for:

  • Burns or scorching at the breaker
  • Burns or scorching on the electrical panel
  • Melted insulation or burns on wires

Our electricians are trained to work safely and effectively to remedy these issues and get your panel back to working order. 

“Heavy Up”

Older homes were built with older appliances and power needs in mind. An electrical panel upgrade will increase your home’s service from 100/150 amps to industry standard 200 amp service if need be. This may be necessary for any remodeling or appliance upgrades you plan on making for your home.

An inspection and electrical panel upgrade will give your home and appliances all the power they require… and safely!

Benefits to an Electrical Panel Upgrade

We’re glad you asked! While adding safety and modernity to your home are easy enough reasons to get an electrical panel upgrade, other benefits about an electrical panel upgrade help add value to your home. 

Safety

When you upgrade your electrical hardware, you vastly reduce the risk of fire and electrical shock in your home. This is the number one benefit to a new electrical panel

Increased Power

Make sure you have the power distribution needs for years to come for things like:

  • Adding a hot tub
  • A kitchen or bath remodel
  • Freedom to expand appliances and your home

Having a new electrical panel that can handle your power needs increases your property value and your home’s sellability. Planning for the future is important; it is good to make sure that all your power needs are covered for whatever your home requires!

Makes Your Home Energy Efficient

Older electrical panels use more energy to get the job done compared to an electrical panel upgrade. Less energy usage equates directly to more money in your pocket over time.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Electrical maintenance ensures you have to pay less in the future for repairs and replacement. An electrical panel upgrade will reduce the amount of maintenance required for your home and lower the cost of repairs. 

It Could Lower Insurance Premiums

A home equipped with an electrical panel and system that are up-to-date and electrical code can have an impact on the amount you pay in homeowner’s insurance premiums. How so? Well, the increased safety of your home after an electrical panel upgrade will directly impact liability. 

Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade Right for Me?

It can be hard to know when the right time comes to upgrade your electrical panel. Electricians are committed to keeping your home safe and sound. If there is any question in your mind as to the safety of your home’s electrical system, do not try to figure it out alone. Instead, schedule an inspection of your current home electrical panel and get a professional opinion and recommendation.

You need to be confident that your home is safe and the electrical system is reliable and up to code. Whether you want to expand your home or bring it into the 21st century, it is prudent to have your system inspected. Even if everything seems to be in working order, an inspection can shine a light on any present and potential issues with your electrical system.

An electrical panel upgrade could be the solution you need!

Upgrade Your Home Today!

Safe and Sound Electric will be at the ready when you call for your electrical panel upgrade. We keep our electricians constantly trained on the latest advancements, improvements, and technologies in the industry. That allows us to ensure you and your home receive the best service available!

Respect for you and your home is our number one customer service priority. You can trust Safe and Sound Electric to get the job done properly, quickly, and cleanly, every time.

Call Safe and Sound Electric and set up your appointment today! Let us work with you through every step of the process of your electrical panel upgrade!

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