Knowing the signs of a failing electrical panel can help you avoid serious electrical issues, including fire hazards
Upgrading your electrical panel becomes necessary when you add power-hungry appliances, notice frequent breaker trips, or your home still uses an outdated fuse panel.
Expect to pay $800 to $4,000 for professional electrical panel upgrades, with average costs around $1,600 depending on your home's amperage needs and complexity.
Your electrical panel shows clear warning signs when it overheats to the touch, produces burning smells, or causes lights to flicker when you run major appliances.
Hiring a local electrical professional keeps your home safe from fire hazards by handling the complex wiring, ensuring proper permits, and upgrading to modern 200-amp service.
Wondering whether you should upgrade your electrical panel? Your home’s electrical panel connects to the main power line and distributes electricity accordingly. Like any home system, electrical panels begin to show signs of wear and tear over time. If your home has experienced flickering lights or strange smells, you’ll want to browse through our list of warning signs that warrant hiring a local electrician to upgrade your electrical panel.
Upgrading an electrical panel is a challenging job. There are advantages to installing a new electrical panel in your home, as well as disadvantages.
There are quite a few advantages that come with an electrical panel upgrade, such as:
The largest advantage to updating an older electrical panel, particularly if you’ve experienced some warning signs, is safety. Installing a new electrical panel will reduce the risk of electrical fire or other safety hazards in your home.
An upgraded electric panel can handle more circuits and larger electrical loads. This increased capacity will make it easier for power-hungry appliances to work simultaneously without tripping a breaker. So, if you are adding more large appliances to your home, like a new dryer or air conditioner, you can benefit from upgrading the electrical panel to handle the load.
Another advantage to an upgraded electrical panel is that it’s likely more energy efficient than the outdated model. This will optimize energy usage and can lead to lower monthly utility bills. According to Energystar.gov, you may be eligible for a tax credit for 30% of the projects cost up to $600.
In addition, some insurance companies offer lower premiums to homeowners with new electrical panels, as it reduces safety hazards. However, the available discounts depend on your insurance provider and location.
There are a couple of disadvantages to consider, but remember, your home's safety should always outweigh the cons if your electrical panel needs to be upgraded.
The main drawback of an electrical panel upgrade is the price. The average cost of upgrading an electrical panel is about $1,600, depending on the type and labor. A new electrical panel is an investment; however, depending on the stage and age of your current panel, it will more than pay for itself over the years.
When you hire a professional electrician to upgrade your electrical panel, the power will be turned off, which can be an inconvenience. The average task time is four to eight hours, but if related components and associated wiring need replacing, the labor time can increase to 20 to 30 hours.
A new panel typically requires additional permits and inspections, which a local electrician should complete. Permits can cost between $50 and $300, depending on the amperage size and complexity of the job.
The average lifespan of an electrical panel is 25 to 40 years. Does yours fit into this age range?
Even if you don’t notice any obvious signs that your circuit breaker is struggling to power your home, it may be worth having a professional electrician perform an inspection. They can quickly evaluate your home’s electrical system for signs of damage or wear and tear.
It’s normal for your electrical panel to trip when an area of your home tries to draw too much power. When this happens, you must flip the affected breaker to allow power to flow again.
This action doesn’t automatically signal a problem. But if it seems like you constantly flip breakers, it’s likely time to have an electrician inspect your breaker for issues.
While flipping breakers can be a sign that it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, yours may not use breakers at all. In homes built before 1960, fuse panels directed electricity.
Though revolutionary, fuse panels are now a fire hazard, and you should replace them with an electrical panel. If you have to switch out a fuse instead of flipping a breaker, it’s time to upgrade.
If you open your electrical panel and spot rust or water, avoid touching it and call an electrician immediately. A rusted, broken, or corroded panel indicates that you’ll need to repair or replace the system, as it’s a potential fire hazard.
Do you often reach for a power strip to compensate for the lack of electrical outlets throughout your home? That’s a sign that your electrical panel may not be able to handle an increase in electrical flow.
An electrician can install additional outlets if your panel can accommodate additional circuits. But if it can’t, replacing the electrical panel is your best option.
Smelling something burning in your home is always concerning. Act quickly if the smell seems to be coming from your electrical panel. A failing circuit breaker can soon cause a severe house fire.
If you smell burning plastic or wood, it’s likely the plastic jacket of an electrical wire melting. If you smell wood, the damage could be within your home’s walls. If the smell is subtle and then disappears, an electrician may be able to fix the problem. But if the smell is overpowering and you’re worried a fire has already broken out, evacuate your home and call 911.
Your circuit breaker trips if it begins to overheat. But, if you notice that your circuit breaker is warm or hot to the touch, this is a potential sign of a severe malfunction. Have an electrician out immediately to see if your panel needs an upgrade.
While it’s not unusual to occasionally see tiny sparks when plugging something into an outlet, you should stay vigilant about the size and frequency of the sparks. If you notice repeated or large sparks from your outlet, that’s a clear sign that something is off with your electrical system.
While the cause could be a wiring or outlet problem, it’s best to heed this warning sign and hire an electrician to look.
Do your overhead kitchen lights dim when you use the microwave or start the dishwasher? If so, this is a sign there’s too much power drawn from a single circuit.
You may be able to add extra circuits, but a total replacement may be the best option. A professional electrician can let you know which route is best.
We’ve already talked about replacing your electrical panel if it’s outdated. But, when remodeling your home, it’s almost a given that you’ll have to replace your breaker as you update different parts of your home’s electrical system.
Replacing old wiring and junction boxes can be a blessing in disguise. You’ll have a safer, more efficient electrical system, and it boosts your resale value.
If you have an older home, or its previous owners had a modest appliance list, you may need to update your breaker as you update certain areas.
For example, if you add a dishwasher to your kitchen or a large freezer in the basement, your current panel may need more juice to keep everything running. An electrician can come out and see if your panel’s amps match your home’s demand.
One of the best times to upgrade your electrical panel is when you are doing any home renovations. This is because the demand for power increases, and the old panel may be unable to keep up with the increased electrical load.
However, if you have any warning signs, such as burning smells, the electrical panel is hot, or you see sparks when plugging things in, you should contact an electrician as soon as possible to upgrade your electrical panel. These are dangerous signs, and you don’t want to risk the chance of a house fire.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, an estimated 51,000 fires each year are caused by home electrical fires. So, upgrading your electrical panel can save your home and your life.
How much it will cost to upgrade your electrical panel depends on the amperage your home needs. Most modern homes require a 200-amp service to run efficiently. The average cost is about $1,600, but it can range between $800 and $4,000.
But don’t let the cost deter you: Protecting your home from serious electrical hazards is worth the price. You can always get multiple quotes from experienced electricians near you to find the best price for your budget.
The most important thing to know about upgrading your electrical panel is that you should hire an electrician to complete this delicate and potentially hazardous task.
The electrician pro will disconnect the current panel from the power source and replace it with a new 200-amp circuit breaker. The process also involves installing a GFCI hookup to manage the upgraded power.
An experienced electrician should always do any electrical work. It is extremely dangerous working with electricity and can cause severe injuries and even be fatal. Also, faulty wiring and improper installation can damage the system and cause fire.
If those weren't enough reasons to hire a pro, your homeowner's insurance policy will not cover any issues if you do the work yourself. Keep your home and family safe, and hire a professional electrician to do this task so it's done right.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon MitigationI conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLCThe techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of ColumbusVictor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLCThey were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLCInitially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLCThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel ElectricWhen I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Whether you’re shopping for a new home or simply doing a safety check on your current place, learn what factors influence an electrical inspection cost.
Electrical panel replacement costs $530 to $2,100, depending on the location, the type of hardware, and any required building materials.
Before you hire a licensed electrical contractor, you should learn the cost to run electric from the road to your house so you can budget for the project.
Faulty wiring can be a serious fire hazard, and it’s especially common in older houses. Here are the warning signs to look for with old house wiring and safety upgrades you can make.
Do you need to upgrade to 300-amp service? Here’s how to determine your house’s electrical needs.
Learn about the red flags that signal it’s time to get an electrical inspection, what it will cover, and what issues can fail these important safety checks.
