panel upgrade

How a Panel Upgrade Can Improve the Safety and Functionality of Your Home

July 28th, 2024

As homeowners, ensuring the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system should always be a priority. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through a panel upgrade. Upgrading your electrical panel can significantly enhance the safety and functionality of your home, especially in older homes that might be struggling to keep up with current electrical demands. 

We specialize in comprehensive electrical solutions, including panel upgrades that not only ensure safety but also improve the overall power capacity and efficiency of your home. Join us as we explore the numerous benefits of panel upgrades, why they are essential, and how they can transform the electrical landscape of your house into a more reliable and efficient system.

Understanding Electrical Panels: The Heart of Your Home’s Electrical System

Before delving into the benefits of a panel upgrade, it’s crucial to understand what an electrical panel does. Essentially, the electrical panel is the central point that distributes electricity to the various circuits in your home. It provides a safety feature that prevents circuits from overloading and potentially causing a fire. When a circuit draws too much power, the breaker in the panel trips, cutting off electricity to that circuit. This mechanism is pivotal in preventing electrical hazards.

Why Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

As technology advances and more electronic devices accumulate in homes, older electrical panels often struggle to keep up with the increased energy demands. This mismatch can lead to frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, and even hazardous conditions like electrical fires. Upgrading your electrical panel ensures it can handle modern electrical loads while providing enhanced safety features that are up-to-date with current electrical codes.

Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

  1. Age of the Panel: If your home is over 20 years old and still has the original electrical panel, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Older panels might not be designed to accommodate today’s appliance-heavy households.
  2. Frequent Breaker Trips: This is often a sign that your panel is working too hard or that circuits are overloaded. An upgrade can resolve this issue.
  3. Addition of Major Appliances: If you’re adding major appliances or a home addition, your current electrical panel may not suffice. Upgrading can ensure your new appliances operate efficiently without overloading your system.

The Process of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

Upgrading an electrical panel is not a DIY job—it requires professional expertise due to the complexities and safety hazards involved. Here’s how our technicians handle it:

  1. Assessment: Our professionals first assess your current electrical system and discuss your specific needs. This includes reviewing any frequently tripped breakers and potential future additions to your home.
  2. Planning: We determine the appropriate size and type of panel for your home based on the assessment. This ensures that the new panel will comfortably handle your electrical demands.
  3. Installation: Our licensed electricians will safely remove your old panel and install the new one, managing all the connections and ensuring everything adheres to local electrical codes and standards.
  4. Testing: After installation, we conduct thorough testing to ensure everything is working correctly and safely, providing you with peace of mind.

Safety Enhancements with Modern Electrical Panels

New electrical panels come with updated safety features that older models lack. These include more sensitive breakers that can better detect and interrupt electrical faults, reducing the risk of fire. Additionally, new panels are often equipped with arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which offer superior protection against electrical fires and electrocution, respectively.

Future-Proofing Your Home with a Panel Upgrade

An electrical panel upgrade can also be viewed as future-proofing your home. As you introduce more smart home devices, EV chargers, or consider solar energy systems, an upgraded panel ensures your electrical system can handle these innovations. This not only adds to your home’s value but also its functionality.

Cost Considerations and Long-Term Savings

While the initial cost of upgrading an electrical panel might seem high, it is an investment in your home’s electrical safety and functionality. Over time, a more efficient electrical panel provides energy savings and reduces the risk of costly repairs caused by outdated systems. Furthermore, the upgrade can increase your home’s value and make it more attractive in today’s technology-driven market.

Environmental Responsibility and Electrical Efficiency

Upgrading your electrical panel is also a step towards environmental responsibility. Efficient electrical systems reduce unnecessary energy consumption and can better accommodate renewable energy sources. This, in turn, decreases the carbon footprint of your home, aligning with modern standards of sustainability.

Embrace Enhanced Safety and Functionality

Upgrading the electrical panel in your home is not just a necessity—it’s a smart and proactive approach towards ensuring a safer and more efficient living environment. With the ever-growing demands on household power from modern appliances and devices, having a robust electrical system is fundamental. By choosing to upgrade, you effectively increase your home’s safety, improve its resale value, and ready it for future technological advancements.

If you’re considering an electrical panel upgrade, don’t hesitate to contact us at Expert Services – Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical. Our team of licensed electricians in Bountiful is equipped to provide top-notch service and advice, ensuring your electrical system is safe, compliant, and perfectly suited to meet the demands of your modern lifestyle. Call us today to discuss how we can enhance the safety and functionality of your home with a panel upgrade.