The home’s electrical system experiences wear and tear and needs an upgrade every now and then. The electrical panel is a key part of the electrical system and may start to show signs it’s time for a replacement.
Signs The Electrical Panel Should Be Upgraded
Signs it’s time for an upgrade include:
- Warm or discolored outlets
- Frequently blown fuses
- Tripped circuit breakers
- Sparking electrical outlets
- Flickering lights
Other reasons to update the electrical panel may include: adding new appliances, increasing energy efficiency, replacing a fuse box, and increasing the value of the home.
When adding new appliances, old panels likely won’t be able to meet the increased demand for electricity and may end up blowing a fuse or even damaging the new appliance.
Replacing the electrical panel could help improve energy efficiency and save on electrical bills. The home’s value will also increase.
A fuse box is an outdated part of old electrical systems and offers few benefits and little safety. They are also difficult to customize, whether you’d like to add more power or install a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Blown fuses are also expensive to replace
Types of Electrical Panel Upgrades
The standard modern home has a 200-amp box to avoid exceeding capacity and tripping the breakers. The cost of the upgrade will depend on the amperage of the box being installed.
Another option is to add an additional breaker box if the old panel box is full. This can be done if you need to increase the overall number of circuits in the home or add power to new rooms.
Modern homes are typically equipped with a circuit breaker which helps to prevent damage caused by a power surge. A circuit breaker is necessary if you’ll be adding GFCIs, which help protect from electrical shock caused by exposure to water in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Scheduling An Electrical Panel Upgrade
If you’re ready for an electrical panel upgrade, give Blue Apple Electric a call and we’ll walk you through the entire process and provide expert recommendations.