Could Your Home Benefit from Electric Panel Upgrade Services?
March 15, 2023
If you’ve been considering an electrical panel upgrade, it may be time to take the plunge. Upgrading your electric panel can significantly benefit your home and your everyday life. This blog will explore why you should upgrade your breaker and what electric panel upgrade services entail.
Breaker basics
Your electrical service panel- also known as a breaker box, is the central hub that distributes electricity throughout your home. It contains a series of circuit breakers that control the flow of electricity to different areas of your home. If you’ve ever blown a fuse or tripped a breaker, you know how important it is to have a properly functioning panel.
Now, let’s talk about why you should consider upgrading your panel
Capacity is one of the main reasons homeowners decide they need electric panel upgrade services. Most older homes are equipped with 100AMP electrical panels. While this was more than enough thirty years ago, today’s modern appliances often require more juice than a 100AMP panel can produce. Upgrading your breaker can provide enough amperage to install that new AC, add a second laundry room, or power a level 2 EV charger.
Safety is another concern with older electric panels. Upgrading services can ensure that your breaker meets current safety standards and help reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock.
Modern electric panels are not only safer, but they are also more efficient. Upgrading your electric panel can help reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bill. And if that wasn’t enough, installing a new electric panel can also help increase the value of your home. Prospective homebuyers will appreciate the added safety and energy efficiency that comes with a new breaker, not to mention not having to take care of the electric panel upgrade services – that’s a win all around.
So, what does upgrading your electric panel entail? Upgrading your breaker is not a do-it-yourself kind of job; it’s complex work that should only be undertaken by a professional electrician. However, with the right electric panel upgrade services provider, installation can be completed in a day with minimal disruption to your life. Here’s a quick overview of how it’s done:
- Consultation: The first step is to consult a licensed electrician to determine if an upgrade is necessary and what size panel you’ll need.
- Permits: You’ll need to obtain the necessary permits from your local government before any work can begin. However, many electric panel upgrade service providers will handle the permitting process for you.
- Shutdown: Your electrician will need to coordinate with your local electricity provider to shut off the power to your home before removing the old panel and installing the new one.
- Wiring: When upgrading from a 100AMP to a 200AMP panel, your electrician will usually need to install new wiring and circuit breakers.
- Inspection: Once the new panel is installed, it will need to be inspected by a qualified inspector to ensure that it meets all safety standards.
- Power restoration: Finally, your electrician will have the power to your home turned back on and test the new panel to ensure it functions properly.
Upgrading your electrical service panel is a wise investment in your home and lifestyle. From increased capacity and improved safety to better energy efficiency and increased home value, there are plenty of reasons to consider upgrading your panel. Just be sure to work with a licensed electric panel upgrade services provider to ensure the process is done safely and correctly.