Professional Electrical Upgrade Service
Older homes built in a time when electrical demands were far fewer often require an electrical upgrade today. Compared to 20 years ago, homeowners have more devices plugged into their electrical system. Your electrical panel may simply not be up to meeting your current needs. The effects of this can range from annoying to dangerous.
If you notice any of the following, you might need a panel upgrade.
- Frequent circuit breaker tripping
- Flickering or dimming light
- Overusing power strips
- Buzzing sound
- Visible damage
- Burning smells
People often think of circuits tripping as more of an irritation than a cause for concern. However, this can be an early warning sign that your electrical panel isn’t up to your needs. The same is true of lights that flicker. If you’ve changed the bulbs and it hasn’t helped, schedule service.
If you frequently use extension cords and power strips, it’s putting a strain on your system. This creates a bigger electrical draw on your panel. You may be overloading circuits beyond their capacity. At best, you may experience circuit breaker tripping, but at worst, there’s the potential for a fire. In addition, relying on extension cords and power strips tells you that you don’t have enough outlets. An upgrade can provide the capacity that you need.
An electrical panel may emit a low humming noise, and this can be normal. However, a louder buzzing can mean it needs an upgrade. If you’re unsure about whether the sound coming from your electrical panel is a reason for concern, schedule service. It’s better to have an electrician look at it and find no issues than to risk a fire.
If you notice rust, corrosion, scorch marks, or other damage to the panel, you should not touch it. A burning smell could be an emergency. In both situations, don’t delay in contacting an electrician.
However, keep in mind that even if there haven’t been issues, you might need a panel upgrade. This may be true if your home is old or you aren’t sure of the age of your electrical panel. We can inspect your panel and electrical system and let you know if this is the case. An upgrade can make your home safer and help boost efficiency. As components on old electrical panels degrade, your appliances may have to work harder. In addition to new parts, an upgrade means better distribution of electrical loads. Depending on the age and condition of your panel, you might need an upgrade if you install a generator. Adding an EV charger to your home or new appliances could also make an upgrade necessary.
