Key takeaways:
- An old or overloaded electrical panel is a significant safety hazard for your home, increasing your risk of electrical fire.
- An electrical panel upgrade will meet your growing energy needs, make your home safer, and protect your electrical infrastructure from power surges and other issues.
- Airstream’s team of qualified electricians can assess whether you need a new panel and deliver top-quality electrical work.
An outdated, overloaded electrical panel puts your home at risk.
Your electrical panel is a distribution center that draws power from the grid and sends it to different circuits. It also protects these circuits from overload by cutting power to them as needed.
But, electrical panels get old, components get worn out, and your panel’s capacity might not be sufficient for your current energy needs.
So, how do you know it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade?
What’s Your Electrical Fire Risk?
If you open your panel, you’ll see two neat stacks of breaker switches (or fuses if you have an older fuse box). These switches (or fuses) interrupt power to a circuit in case of a power surge, arc fault, or short-circuit.
Tripped circuit breakers and blown fuses are inconvenient but protect you from electrical fires. If these safety features stop working due to an old or malfunctioning panel, there is a serious risk of circuits overheating and catching fire.
Electrical fires can also start in the panel due to bad wiring, loose connections, or improper installation.
It’s a serious electrical hazard. More than 51,000 electrical fires occur yearly, causing more than $1.3 billion in property damage.
To reduce your risk of electrical fires, have a licensed electrician check your panel for corrosion and other signs of damage. They can also ensure the installation is still up to the latest standards from the National Electrical Code and the local Franklin building codes for added safety.
Supporting Modern Power Demands
Your panel’s capacity rating is in amps (100 amps is the most common), meaning it can only draw and distribute 100 amps at a time.
The problem? Modern households often need more. You’re powering multiple electronics, relying on electric appliances instead of gas-powered ones, and might even have high-energy applications like an electric HVAC solution or EV charger.
With all these circuits drawing power, getting close to or exceeding the 100-amp capacity is easy. If this happens, your panel won’t be able to keep up with your electricity usage, and breakers will trip. Plus, constantly operating close to its maximum capacity isn’t suitable for your panel, and you’ll face a higher risk of malfunction.
We recommend discussing your energy needs with a qualified electrical contractor who can perform a load calculation. Depending on the outcome, they might recommend an upgrade to a 200-amp panel or discuss load-shedding solutions with you.
Fixing Frequent Power Surges or Outages
Faulty electrical panels don’t always cause major issues like fires or short circuits. Instead, they may create a series of minor malfunctions throughout your electrical infrastructure, which is a problem because it causes extensive damage over time.
Here’s what these issues can look like:
- If your panel is overloaded, it will struggle to distribute enough power to all your circuits. When you turn on an appliance, the lights in another room might flicker or dim.
- Another red flag is resetting your breaker switches or replacing blown fuses often. Cutting power to circuits occasionally is a sign that your panel is working well. Still, you should worry if it happens weekly, especially if you’re having difficulty getting the breakers to stay in the reset position.
- A panel operating close to its maximum capacity can make a low buzzing or humming sound and even feel warm to the touch.
- If your panel fails to regulate power to your circuits, they may become overloaded and overheated. You’ll likely notice an unpleasant smell from the hot wiring and might even feel your outlets getting warm.
Meeting Electrical Safety Codes and Insurance Requirements
Tennessee still uses the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code (with some amendments specific to our state). And for Franklin homeowners, the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) is also in effect.
If your home dates from before 2017, your panel might not meet the NEC and IRC safety standards.
You should also know that electrical panel recalls are a thing. In 2022, due to safety concerns, Schneider Electric had to recall more than 1.4 million panels.
Living with an old or recalled panel is a significant risk, with some implications for your homeowners’ insurance policy. In most cases, your insurer will increase your premiums. However, they can also decide not to renew your coverage until you take care of a few electrical upgrades or replace a dangerous panel.
Adding Surge Protection for Electronics
A power surge can instantly fry small appliances and electronics. It’s a very real concern. During storm season, Franklin-area residents are at risk of severe lightning strikes that can introduce millions of Volts into a home’s electrical system, not to mention smaller power surges from the electrical grid.
Some devices have built-in protection in the form of a surge protector that directs the excess current to a ground wire. However, these features aren’t enough in case of a surge.
An electrician can install a whole-home surge protection device when upgrading your electrical panel. This device will target power surges as they enter your home and protect your entire electrical infrastructure and all the electronics and appliances you have plugged in.
It’s a quick and easy home electrical panel upgrade, and you could save a lot in electrical repairs and electronics replacement costs!
Book Your Electrical Panel Upgrade With Airstream
Is your current electrical panel getting old? Don’t live with this constant hazard. Upgrading your electrical panel is more affordable than you might think and will make your home much safer.
Airstream has been serving the Franklin, TN, area since 2012 and proudly offers high-quality electrical services to local homeowners. Book your electrical service today, and we’ll send one of our experts to inspect your electrical panel.
FAQ
What is the average electrical panel upgrade cost?
You should plan on spending $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the new panel’s capacity and the complexity of the installation process.
How long do electrical panels last?
An electrical panel can last anywhere from 25 to 40 years. Regular electrical maintenance is a good way to extend this average lifespan.
Is there a tax credit on panel upgrades?
You can claim up to $600 as a residential energy credit on your federal taxes.
What are the signs you need a new electrical panel?
If your panel is approaching the end of its lifespan or if you notice signs like flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, or other electrical issues, you should consider a replacement.
