An electrical panel is one of the most valuable components in your home's electrical system. It supplies the power needed for lighting in each utility room of your home.
It also contains circuits that carry power to appliances and other outlets.
Just like anything else, electrical panels experience wear and tear. Even if you take utmost good care and follow instructions, your electrical panel may still need upgrading.
Unfortunately, many people ignore electrical panel upgrades because they consider them unnecessary, or too costly.
In fact, a poorly functioning or outdated panel can cause more risks than you can imagine. That said, a well-maintained electrical panel can serve between 20 to 30 years.
But still, you need to check it over and over again. Yes, as you continue using more power in your daily routines, a 30-year-old electrical panel may not handle all your appliances properly.
In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of an electrical panel upgrade, the upgrading process, and more.
In this guide
Signs That You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
An electrical panel is not meant to last forever. Your electrical panel needs an upgrade if you notice the following signals:
- If you have not replaced your electrical panel in over 30 years. Generally, 30 years is the deadline for most electrical panels.
- If your main breaker keeps tripping repeatedly. A well-functioning circuit breaker panel doesn't trip, unless it's old or overloaded.
- If the electrical panel overheats. Realistically, properly installed wires don't heat up easily, so this might be a sign that your electrical panel needs an upgrade.
- If the outlets are noisy. That is, they make buzzing and humming sounds. Your electrical panel may also make some cracking sounds, especially the old ones. This is a sure sign that your electrical panel needs an upgrade.
- If you notice burning smells and sparks. Electrical systems can occasionally spark briefly, but frequent sparking may be a sign that your electrical panel is out of order. Also, pay attention to strange smells.
- Electrical shocks. Mild shocks are a sign of faulty wiring or poor installation, especially when touching a switch or outlet.
- Dim lights when you switch on appliances. This is a clear indication that your electrical panel isn't equipped to handle the electrical needs. Ideally, this is an overloaded circuit trying to funnel power from other parts to the appliances.
These are all reasons you should get your breaker box upgraded. It is an important thing to have an upgraded panel that can handle all the power your appliances need.
It is also essential to have one that meets up-to-date standards.
The Process of Upgrading Your Panel
A panel upgrade is a technical process that requires a licensed technician. It is electrical work that can last up to ten hours, depending on the complexity of the upgrade.
Below is a step-by-step guide on an electrical panel upgrade:
- Schedule an appointment with your qualified technician to give you a free estimate.
- Upon arrival, your skilled technician will evaluate the size of your new electrical panel. They will also determine the number of circuits to add.
- Your service provider will then coordinate with the utility company, asking permission to work.
- The electrical company disconnects power.
- Your service provider upgrades the electrical panel. They will also install wiring to your circuits.
- The company restores your power services.
There are several options to upgrade your panel:
- You can upgrade the circuits so that they can meet the required electrical safety standards.
- You can replace damaged circuits to reduce the risk of electrical shocks.
- You can replace the circuits with those that can handle more power.
- You can replace damaged or outdated components with ones better suited to a larger home's power needs.
- You can upgrade the service panel to bring more electrical capacity into your modern home.
- You can add circuits for more outlets.
What are the advantages of upgrading your electrical panel?
Service panel upgrades offer a lot of benefits beyond convenience and value for money. Here are the leading eight.
Improved safety
An outdated or poorly-functioning electrical panel can easily heat up and catch fire. And this can pose a great danger to the entire property.
Even if your insurance can cover the damages, there are other precious items that an insurance company cannot help replace.
Furthermore, if you have children in the house, you are posing an immense risk to their health and life.
Did you know home electrical fires cause an estimated 51,000 fires, nearly 500 deaths, and over $1.3 billion in property damage in the US every year, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International? That is why upgrading your panel is something you should consider seriously.
Yes, because it will keep your family and home safe. Today's panels are engineered with better safety features.
These panels are less likely to catch fire, saving you from the financial and personal toll of a house fire.
Improved home value
If you want to increase the value of your home, you need to make significant improvements. This is especially true for those invested in the real estate market.
Did you know your upgraded panel can be a genuine selling point if you decide to sell your property down the road? A panel with higher amperage signals to buyers that the home can support modern appliances, which can help you get closer to your asking price.
Better electrical performance
Do your electrical circuits frequently trip for no good reason?
Do you experience shocks when turning on switches?
Do your lights go dim when you turn on other appliances?
Upgrading your electrical panel will take care of these serious issues. It will deliver seamless electrical performance by offering consistent energy throughout your home.
Insurance compliance
Insurance companies require homeowners to have a specific amp rating for their panel before being considered compliant.
For instance, an insurance company may require your electrical panel to be rated at least 80 amps.
So, if your electrical panel is rated below the specified rate, then you are not compliant with the company's policies.
The company may not cover any type of damage that occurs if you've failed to meet those guidelines.
Improved circuit capacity
Are you planning a major renovation and would like to add some heavy appliances?
You might want a new or upgraded panel for smooth performance. There's a good chance your old panel was only sized to handle the appliances you had at the time it was installed.
Because you've added more since then, you'll want an upgraded panel with higher circuit capacity.
An upgraded electrical panel is required for many renovations. For instance, when you renovate your kitchen, or add things like hot tubs and air conditioners, upgrading your electrical panel is the best way to go.
Failure to upgrade means your circuit will begin to overload.
More outlets
Nowadays, electrical panels are equipped with more circuits, and thus more outlets.
This means you can now use more appliances without any stress. Even better, this gives you more flexibility to select dedicated circuits for specific high-power machines.
For instance, you can set aside a circuit and outlet for your water heater, which consumes plenty of energy.
Peace of mind
With an upgraded panel, you have no worries about unnecessary electric shocks, circuit overloading, and more.
An upgraded panel will also reduce electrical fire hazards, which may otherwise damage your property or harm the people in it.
Safety of your home's electrical systems
While a faulty electrical panel will increase the risk of an electrical fire, it can also cause damage by destroying your appliances.
That's an extra expense, especially if you own pricey electronic devices such as game consoles, TVs, laptops, etc. With an upgraded panel, you can use many devices without stress.
What are the Disadvantages of Electrical Panels?
Costly
There is no doubt that upgrading your electrical panel is expensive. The approximate cost of upgrading your electrical panel ranges between $2,500 and $4,500, and that's before accounting for any additional repairs an electrician might turn up along the way.
But this depends on factors like the service provider hired or unforeseen electrical problems that might be discovered along the way.
It also depends on other factors such as the degree of complexity and the amperage.
One reason upgrades are expensive is the materials needed. A service panel upgrade is something that should be taken seriously.
For this reason, the materials used should be of high quality to ensure long-lasting performance.
Fixing outdated fixtures and worn-out receptacles and adding new wiring are additional repairs that can drive up the total cost.
It is time-consuming
Adding circuit breakers is a one-hour job. Installing subpanels will take about 2-3 hours.
But, if you are considering a full panel upgrade, it will take a long time (almost half a day). This is especially true if you need to replace the main circuit breaker or the fuse box.
Electrical panel upgrade FAQs
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
It depends on the level of power it delivers. For instance, a full upgrade to 200 amps commonly costs around $2,500 to $4,000. However, never let the expense deter you. The value and safety of your home matter.
What does an electrical panel upgrade entail?
There is a wide range of panel upgrades depending on your specific needs and requirements.
Some are simple, such as adding circuits. Others are complex, like replacing the fuse box. Talk to your experienced electrician to determine the scope of your panel upgrade.
What is the difference between a fuse box and an electrical panel?
The electrical panel is the main box that controls power and electrical wiring at your home. It contains switches or breakers that control electricity to specific circuits.
A fuse box, on the other hand, is an older type of electrical panel found in many older homes. Instead of breakers, it uses screw-in fuses that resemble small light bulbs.
Pros and Cons of an Electrical Panel
An electrical panel upgrade can instantly improve the value and safety of your home. You will be surprised by the difference it can make.
If you are constantly experiencing flickering lights or other electrical problems, it is time to upgrade your panel. If your outlets don't seem to work well, don't procrastinate.
Upgrading your electrical panel can help you in more ways than you might imagine, especially when it comes to your family's and home's safety.
It is a good idea to always call a service provider once you notice any issue with your electrical panel. While it is costly, its benefits can surely enhance the quality of your life.
References https://www.esfi.org/home-electrical-fires/ https://www.esfi.org/home-safety/your-home-electrical-system/
