A healthy electrical panel, or breaker box, is critical for the safety, comfort and functioning of your home. We depend on our HVAC systems, appliances and electronics every day. Additionally, with more reliance on our home electronics for work, school and play, your electrical panel has never been more important.
In general, panels should be replaced every 25-40 years. Before deciding whether to replace, make sure you know the age of your home and if the panel has ever been upgraded. You should also look for any of these signs that may indicate your panel isn’t functioning well:
Flickering lights
Dimming lights when turning on larger appliances
Burning or ozone odor
Scorch marks on outlets
Sparks when plugging in items
Small shocks when touching an appliance
Warmth around panel or on electrical cords
Circuit trips or blown fuses
Hissing noise from panel
If any of the above are occurring, contact a licensed electrician to have the issue evaluated immediately.
Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of an upgraded panel:
Increased Safety
Improving the safety of your home is benefit number one! A panel upgrade means a decrease in the chances of a fire or electrical shock.
Increased Power = More Possibilities
We use more power than ever, and our usage will likely only increase. Consider all of the electronics plugged around our homes, our bigger TVs and numerous appliances. We use and rely on electricity more than ever. Upgrading your panel now means you are stable for years with the ability to increase power use in your home. Adding appliances, installing a hot tub or EV charger, or remodeling a bathroom or the kitchen become possibilities.
Full or Partial Electrification
More folks are considering going carbon-free or lessening their carbon footprint. In order to fully or partially electrify your home, such as with solar panels, an EV charger or all electrical appliances, an upgraded panel will likely be necessary. Learn more in this video explainer on electrical panels.
Energy-Efficient Home
Increased energy efficiency means more money in your pocket. Updated panels use less energy than outdated panels, which means lower costs for you.
The good news? Electrical panels have a very long life. Once you upgrade, you are set for many years to come!
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