Electrical Panel Upgrade in Marin and Sonoma County

In an increasingly electrified world, it is easy to see how electrical panels built for homes forty years ago might not cut it with today’s level of electrical appliances. The average home uses far more electricity today than it used to, and panels need to keep up to keep these appliances operating safely and efficiently. Here are the signs you should think about getting an electrical panel upgrade, some safety tips to remember when working with your panel, and the different upgrades available for an old electrical panel.

Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

These are the red flags to keep an eye out for that let you know it may be time for an electrical panel replacement.

Older Panel

Electrical panel lifespans can range anywhere between 25 and 40 years, depending on the specific type of panel you have. If you know that your panel is reaching the end of its expected lifespan, it is a good idea to at least get an inspection to see if an upgrade might benefit you if you do have an outdated electrical panel.

Flickering Lights

If you’re noticing that the lights in your home are flickering constantly, it can be a strong warning sign of electrical issues. It is worth getting an inspection from a professional electrician since it might be a red flag of a panel that is unable to handle the current electrical load and you may need a breaker panel replacement.

Rust on the Panel

If you’re noticing rust around your panel, this means water might have been leaking onto your panel. If this has happened, there is a good chance it has caused damage to the circuits or the panel as a whole and an electric panel upgrade is a good idea.

Strange Noises

If you’re noticing hissing, popping, or cracking sounds from your electrical switches, this is a red flag or electrical problems that could cause a serious danger and requires the attention of a local electrician. It might mean there is damaged wiring or that the electricity is making contact with something it shouldn’t be.

Overheating

If you’re smelling burning plastic around your outlets and switches or noticing melted or otherwise damaged wires and switchplates, this could be an electrical hazard from an old electrical panel. You should contact an electrician right away who can help.

Electrical Panel Safety

If you are planning any work on your electrical panel yourself, it is important to know how to perform simple tasks safely and when it is time to call in a licensed electrician. Briefly inspecting the panel yourself when problems arise before a professional investigates the problem can help understand where issues may be arising and the direction to go for a possible electrical panel replacement.

First make sure all circuits are labeled correctly. Know the exact appliances and outlets that each breaker controls for safety and efficiency.

Make sure circuits aren’t overloaded on the panel. If a circuit is overloaded with too many electrical appliances, this can lead to frequent trips and electrical dangers.

Clear the area completely around the panel so that it is easily accessible. You don’t want any obstructions around the panel that prevent access during an emergency.

Lastly, leave all panel repairs to a local electrician rather than trying to fix the problem yourself. There is a lot of precise wiring work involved in electrical panels that can be dangerous if you do not have the proper equipment and training.

Electrical Panel Upgrades Available

If you’ve decided to pursue a panel upgrade because your current panel is old, damaged, or you are having a home renovation done, there are many different options for a more efficient and less outdated electrical panel.

Amp Upgrade

A common reason for breaker panel replacement is to get a higher electrical capacity. The amperage is the rate of electric flow sent through your wiring. Most people will upgrade from a 100-amp panel to a 200-amp panel to handle the higher volume of electricity from appliances like heat pumps or electric car chargers.

Sub-Panel

The addition of a sub-panel is also a popular electric panel upgrade option for when you have a panel that is becoming overloaded with circuits. The sub-panel is an additional smaller panel installed alongside your main panel that offers extra circuits for any electrical additions you make to the house.

Surge Protector

This is a highly recommended upgrade to an electrical panel. A surge protector is an electrical safety device that a local electrician can install directly into your main panel to protect against voltage spikes so that no damage comes to your wiring or appliances.

Breaker Consolidation

Space can be freed up in an old electrical panel by employing special breaker hardware. Tandem breakers are breakers with one pole that can fit into a single slot but provide two circuits. This is a great upgrade that does not require you to replace your entire panel when you are running out of room.

Smart Panels

A full upgrade to a smart panel will not only give you a modern and efficient electrical panel, but also access to smart load calculation tools. Load calculation is the full calculation of how much electricity your appliances require. You can fully monitor your electricity usage from an app connected to your panel, as well as control the amount of power you want to give to each electrical appliance at any time. This electrical panel replacement can save you a significant amount in monthly electricity bills.

Professional Electrical Panel Work

For any upgrade for an outdated electrical panel you’re considering, you will need help from a licensed professional. John Owens Services has been offering electrical services to the Sonoma and Marin County areas for thirty years. We offer everything from electrical inspections to full electric appliance installations. Whichever electrical panel upgrade you choose, we can help you through every step of the process and leave you with a fully functional panel that can handle your electrical load efficiently. If you aren’t sure which upgrade will be the best fit, we can inspect your panel and recommend upgrades that will benefit your home the most and fit within your budget.

Key Takeaways

• Flickering lights, strange noises, and overheating in outlets and wires are all signs that you may be due for a breaker panel replacement
• Make sure circuits are labeled correctly and clearly, circuits are not overloaded, the are around the breaker panel is cleared, and you do not attempt any repairs on your own
• Possible panel upgrade options that would be most beneficial include updating to a greater amperage, adding a sub-panel, installing a surge protector, consolidating breakers, or upgrading to a smart panel
• Contact an electrical panel professional, like John Owens Services, to have your current panel inspected and get the best recommendations and installation work for panel upgrades