Tripping breakers, flickering lights, unusual noises… sound familiar? It could be an issue with your electrical panel.
Over time, or as you add more appliances to your home, your panel can become outdated and cause small but frequent electrical problems, calling for a replacement.
Let’s take a closer look at electrical panels, common signs you’re due for an upgrade, and how much you can expect to spend for an electrical panel upgrade in Murfreesboro.
How Do Electrical Panels Work?
Your home gets its electricity via a service line connected to the grid. Before it can reach your appliances, electricity has to go through your electrical panel.
So, what does your electrical panel do?
- It regulates how much power your home draws from the grid.
- It divides energy between different circuits with active appliances.
- It protects your home thanks to built-in features like surge protectors and circuit breakers designed to present overloading.
You can think of your panel as a hub that draws and distributes power. Issues with your panel can affect the entire wiring of your home and all the connected appliances.
Most American homes have a 100-amp panel, which means you can only draw 100 amps from the grid at any given time and distribute it. Keep that in mind, as it’s an important detail we’ll come back to shortly!
Common Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Is it time for a new electrical panel? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should definitely reach out to an electrician in the Murfreesboro area to assess whether you need an upgrade.
Insufficient Panel Capacity
Remember when we said most panels can only draw 100 amps from the grid? In modern households, electricity usage can get very close to 100 amps, especially if you have a high-demand circuit like an EV charging station or electric HVAC solution.
If this happens, you’ll likely encounter other appliances malfunctioning or breakers tripping when you run the high-demand application. There is a simple solution to upgrade your outdated electrical system: Replace your old panel with a 200-amp model.
Old or Damaged Panel
While you might need an early replacement if your needs exceed your panel’s capacity, most electrical panels will last anywhere from 25 to 40 years.
Your panel can start malfunctioning as it reaches the end of its lifespan. You shouldn’t ignore warning signs like breakers tripping often or unusual smells coming from the panel—these can signify that the safety features of your panel no longer work properly, increasing the risks of electrical fires.
This is especially true if your panel has been damaged. A common culprit is humidity building up in the panel box, causing rust and corrosion, an issue that can spread throughout your entire home and require the services of a home rewiring Nashville expert.
Unusual Smells
Is there an unexplained fishy or burnt plastic smell in your home? Your electrical panel is likely faulty and requires immediate attention!
Damaged components, loose wiring, or overloaded circuits can lead to overheating, which causes the insulation on the wires to melt, creating that unpleasant smell. This is an emergency—turn off the power and call a 24/7 electrician to inspect your panel.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
What happens when your electrical panel reaches its maximum capacity? It diverts power away from some circuits to keep powering other appliances, which can cause your lights to flicker or become dim.
More worrying, issues with your lights can indicate variations in voltage or bad wiring. It’s definitely something a Nashville electrician should look at!
Tripping Breakers
Breakers trip to protect a circuit if there is a risk of overload. If your electrical system is healthy, breakers should only trip when too many devices are drawing power from the same circuit.
Old wiring, loose connections, and damaged panel components can cause the breakers to frequently trip without explanation.
High Energy Bills
Old panels often mean old electrical wiring. This combination can lead to inefficient connections, loose wires, and worn-out components that don’t effectively transmit power.
Instead of reaching appliances and devices, some of the electricity drawn by your panel ends up lost as it turns into heat. Because most circuits are hidden behind the walls, you might not notice this dangerous phenomenon until your bills go up.
Your Panel Is Not Up to Code
The National Electrical Code and local codes exist to keep you safe! Over the years, these codes have been frequently updated, and panels in old homes might no longer meet the latest safety rules.
Even if you’re not experiencing any electrical issues, it’s best to look into a panel upgrade if an electrician finds that your old panel is not up to code—for safety reasons and for your own peace of mind.
Electrical Panel Upgrade in Murfreesboro: Costs Vs. Benefits
Replacing your electrical panel costs anywhere from $520 to $2,900. Factors like replacing wiring, opting for a 200-amp panel or upgrading your home with a smart panel will cause the price to fall on the high end of this spectrum.
The benefits? A panel replacement is an absolute necessity if you’re having electrical issues. Things like tripping breakers or a burnt smell indicate that your panel is unsafe. With over 51,000 electrical fires each year, the possibility of a malfunctioning panel is something to take seriously.
Other benefits include:
- Boosting your home value.
- Saving on electricity bills if the old panel and wiring weren’t effective.
- Adding more appliances and exploring electrification solutions without overloading your electrical system.
Book Your Trusted Electrical Panel Upgrade in Murfreesboro
An outdated or damaged electrical panel puts your home and family at risk. If any of these electrical issues sound familiar, don’t take any chances; call an electrician.
Our team of electricians is here to help! After inspecting your panel and troubleshooting electrical issues, our experts will determine whether you need an electrical panel replacement. You can count on us to deliver five-star customer service and top-quality labor.
Book your electrical service now!
Electrical Panel FAQs from Airstream Services
What is the average cost of an electrical panel upgrade?
A new electrical panel costs between $520 and $2,900, with $1,800 being the average cost.
Do you need an electrician to upgrade an electrical panel?
The answer is yes. A panel upgrade is a complex electrical repair that requires a licensed professional.
Who do I call to upgrade my electrical panel?
Airstream offers trusted electrical panel replacements in the Middle Tennessee area. Call us at 615-270-2724 for an estimate!
How much does upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp panel cost?
Upgrading your home with a 200-amp panel costs anywhere between $1,300 and north of $2,500.
How long do electrical panels last before you need a replacement?
Electrical panels can last 25 to 40 years, but if you have electrical issues, you should replace them sooner.
