Electrical Panel Upgrades

ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADES

Is your house keeping up with the times? With the average lifespan of a home now greater than 20 years and technology's rapid rate of progression, the answer is likely no. Today’s gadgets and appliances easily overload electrical systems in many of todays older homes, causing issues that could easily be prevented with a new electrical panel.

What is an electrical panel?
Your electrical panel helps provide electricity to the much-loved and well-used gadgets and appliances throughout your home. Power from your utility company flows into your home through this panel, where it branches out into major electrical branches, dwindling into smaller branches in order to distribute power. A properly functioning electrical panel is essential to the safety of your family and your home.

Where is the electrical panel in my home?
Electrical panels can be identified as a painted or gray metal box. They are typically mounted on the wall of your home in an easily accessible area such as a utility room, laundry room, garage, basement, or closet. However if you can’t find the electrical panel inside your home, it may be located outside.

Old electrical panels can result in a myriad of problems, including:
  • Flickering lights.
  • Breakers that constantly trip or fuses that frequently blow.
  • The need to turn off one appliance to use another.
  • Melted electrical wires.
  • Defective circuit breakers that fail to trip, resulting in shocks, overheating, and fire.
  • In short, old electrical panels result in danger to your family and property resulting from fire and electrical shock.
Is your home showing signs it is in need of a new electrical panel?
  • Crackling sounds from your panel box.
  • Corrosion or rust on the breakers or panel.
  • Overheating electrical service conductors.
  • Appliances running at less than full power.
  • Two pronged (non-grounded) outlets.
  • Your home is not equipped with GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) in necessary areas.
  • You find yourself frequently seeking extension cords.
  • You need surge protectors to protect the appliances in your home.
  • Your home was built with, and still runs on, a 60 amp electrical service.
  • Your home uses a fuse block panel or split-buss panel (electrical panel with no main breaker).
  • The 100 amp electrical service in your home is insufficient for operating necessary appliances.
Other reasons you should consider a new electrical panel:
  • The renovation of your home, particularly the kitchen, which is appliance-heavy.
  • You are adding a home addition.
  • The addition of a major appliance, such as central heating and air, stoves, spas, garage power equipment, and more.
  • You need/are adding outlets to your home.
  • To meet homeowners insurance requirements.
  • You’re in need of a 240 volt circuit.
  • You need to add a sub panel.
Just because you’re not living in a turn-of-the-century home doesn’t mean your panel is safe.
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