Your electrical panel controls the flow of electricity throughout your home. It provides power for all the lights, appliances and gadgets you use on a daily basis and plays an important role in your family’s safety. But as technology advances and your household grows, your electrical system will eventually become overburdened with energy demands. In some cases, an electrical panel upgrade is necessary to improve your home’s efficiency and provide adequate power for all your devices.
If you’re noticing the following signs, an electric service upgrade is probably in order:
1. Your Circuit Breakers Keep Tripping
If your circuit breakers frequently trip, it may be time to consider an electrical panel upgrade. The tripping of these switches indicates that your panel is overloaded and that additional electrical loads are putting too much strain on the system. If left unchecked, this can lead to dangerous and costly damage to your wiring and appliances.
A 100-amp panel was sufficient for most homes in the past, but today’s average household requires more power for the growing number of electronics and electrical devices we use. If your current panel isn’t keeping up with your electrical needs, it may be time to upgrade to a 200-amp service panel.
2. You’re Still Using Fuses
If you have an older house with fuses instead of circuit breakers, it’s time to update your home’s electrical system. Modern breakers are safer and offer the convenience of switching off individual outlets rather than having to change a whole fuse. Upgrading your fuse box to a new circuit breaker panel is an inexpensive way to add more safety and convenience to your home’s electrical system.
3. You Have a New Appliance or Electronics in Your Home
If there are any new appliances or electronics in your home, it’s likely that your electrical panel will need to be upgraded to accommodate the increased power load. If you’ve recently added a new fridge, air conditioner or entertainment system, it’s likely your current electrical panel isn’t up to the task. Upgrading to a higher capacity panel will ensure all your equipment runs safely and efficiently.
4. Your Lights Flicker or Dim
If your home’s lighting is flickering or dimming, this could be a sign of loose connections within the panel that are posing a fire risk. It’s important to contact a professional right away as this is a serious safety issue that should not be ignored.
5. Your Electric Panel is Old
An electrical panel upgrade is a relatively simple project for a professional electrician, but it can be complicated for homeowners who aren’t familiar with the process. A professional electrician can handle the entire project for you, which includes shutting off power to your entire house, removing the existing panel, and installing a new one in its place. They’ll also take care of any related work, like adding outlets and rewiring, to give your home a full electrical service upgrade.
An upgraded electrical panel will increase your home’s overall safety, efficiency and value. For more information about upgrading your home’s electrical system, contact the experts at Tungsten Electric today.