Asking yourself, “Should I upgrade my electrical panel?” is a fundamental question for home and business owners. Without electricity, your property will not function as it should. And without a reliable electrical panel, you may really be left in the dark.
Wondering if your old electrical panel is functioning at peak efficiency? Not sure if you should upgrade your panel?
Here are five reasons why you should consider replacing your electrical panel.
Replacing An Electrical Panel
Reason #1: You’re tripping breakers.
If breakers are tripping every time you run the dishwasher and a hair dryer, you’re likely drawing too much power from your electrical box. A panel replacement can increase your voltage capacity, so your panel can handle the property’s electrical demand.
Reason #2: Your home is old.
Older homes have lots of charm, character, and unique features. An old electrical panel is not one of those things that you should keep around.
Older electrical panels may not be able to support your modern electrical needs. Not to mention, these are often faulty and could be potentially hazardous. This is especially true if you introduce appliances that use a lot of electricity, such as air conditioning units, fridges, hot tubs, or washing machines.
Most modern homes draw between 120 and 249 volts per circuit. If your amperage is too low to support the systems in your home, contact Prairie Electric to upgrade your panel as soon as possible.
Many of these larger appliances require larger circuits, so an upgrade will be required. Circuit breakers and power strips can only do so much, so be sure to ask an expert if you need your electrical panel upgraded.
Reason #3: You can prevent electrical fires.
Overcrowded connections on out-of-date electrical panels can cause loose connections. These kinds of faulty wiring issues can lead to dangerous electrical fires, which puts your home and your family at risk.
A new, efficient electrical panel upgrade can help prevent these types of problems from occurring while also ensuring a steady flow of electricity to your lights and appliances. Avoid fire hazards caused by inoperative service panels (i.e., breaker panels, fuse box).
Reason #4: You’ve remodeled
Whether you recently added another room to your home or did so five years ago and never updated your electrical panel, the time is now to upgrade that panel. Any changes made to your home’s electrical requirements must be accommodated in your panel in order to avoid tripped breakers, sparks, and potentially, a devastating fire.
Reason #5: Electrical upgrades add value to your home.
New electrical wiring and panel upgrades not only keep your home safer, but they also help increase the value of the home. This will be very helpful when it comes time to sell your home. In the meantime, you can enjoy the peace of mind you have knowing that the electrical panel is no longer a hazard. You’ll also rest easy knowing your electrical system is operating at peak efficiency, so your electric meter doesn’t tally enormous energy bills!
Expert Electricians in Vancouver, Portland, and throughout the PNW
To replace or upgrade your electrical panel, turn to our experts at Prairie Electric. Our trained electricians in Vancouver have the tools and skills to work on all kinds of panel upgrade projects. No matter what your electrical needs, we’re here to help.
We have a large and talented team of licensed electricians prepared to perform electrical service and electrical work. Whether it’s your electrical system at home or in the office or large facility, it’s a good idea to partner with the best in the biz — Prairie Electric!
