If you notice that you have flickering or dimming lights anytime someone plugs in a device or one of your appliances cycles on, breakers constantly tripping, or you hear weird noises coming from your electrical panel box, it’s a sign that your current electrical panel is having trouble handling the electrical load. It may be time to consider investing in an electrical panel upgrade or replacement.
Electrical Panel Upgrade, or heavy up, is essentially an upgrade for your residential power panel. It enables more power to surge through the currents of your home, creating the ability to utilize the most electricity possible, without the dangers of overloading your system.
Some signs you may need to upgrade your electrical panel include:
- Your home was built prior to 1960
- Your home is more than 20-30 years old
- The electrical panel feels warm to the touch (a sign it is overloaded)
- The electrical panel trips often or makes a “crackling” sound
- Your appliances don’t seem to run at full capacity
- The lights frequently flicker or go dim
- You need multiple power strips to avoid electrical issues
- The family wants to upgrade or add more electrical appliances to your home
- You have added a new office, workshop, finished basement or other areas to your home
- You have recently installed air conditioners, heat pumps, or any other large appliance that draws a lot of electricity
- Avoid the potential of electric shock that can occur with 2-pronged outlets (3-pronged GFCI, or “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter” outlets are required in new homes)
Types of electrical panel upgrades
There are many types of electrical upgrades that can improve your home’s electrical safety, performance, and energy efficiency. Some of the most common types of electrical upgrades include adding a new circuit to your home’s electrical system or adding or replacing switches and outlets, including ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
It may include expanding the box with a sub panel, installing a whole-home surge protector or upgrade your home’s system of integrated smoke detectors. Another reason to upgrade from a fuse box or an old panel is to access a higher energy capacity.
Electrical service panel upgrades improve performance
You will never need to worry about insufficient power to operate your home, appliances or devices. You can use it as much as you need – safely!