Upgrade your home’s electrical panel to boost safety and increase capacity tailored to your needs.
Why upgrade?
Improve safety: Modern panels include updated breakers, ground-fault and arc-fault protection, and better wiring compatibility to reduce fire and shock hazards.
Increase capacity: Replace an undersized panel to support today’s high-demand appliances—HVAC, electric vehicle chargers, smart home systems, and workshop equipment.
Enhance reliability: Reduce nuisance trips and voltage drops that can damage electronics and interrupt daily life.
Meet code and resale requirements: Upgrading brings your home up to current electrical codes and may increase property value.
Common upgrade options
Breaker replacement: Swap old fuse boxes or worn breakers for modern circuit breakers with AFCI/GFCI protection.
Service capacity increase: Move from 60A/100A to 200A or higher to handle additional circuits and heavy loads.
Subpanels: Add subpanels to distribute load for new additions, workshops, or outbuildings without overloading the main panel.
Dedicated circuits: Install dedicated lines for range, dryer, EV charger, HVAC, and sump pumps to prevent overloads.
Smart panels and monitoring: Add load management and remote monitoring to track energy use and prevent overloads.
Signs you need an upgrade
Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
Warm or discolored panel cover, burning smell, or buzzing sounds
Flickering or dimming lights when appliances start
Insufficient outlets or reliance on extension cords
Older homes with knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring, or fuse boxes
Planning major electrical additions (EV charger, solar, new HVAC, home addition)
What to expect during an upgrade
Professional assessment: A licensed electrician evaluates load, wiring, code compliance, and a recommended panel size.
Permit and inspection: Upgrades typically require permits and final inspections to ensure code compliance.
Downtime: Expect a few hours to a day of power interruption for the service change, depending on scope.
Safety steps: Electricians will shut power, test circuits, replace or install the new panel, and label circuits clearly.
Cost considerations
Typical cost range varies by region and complexity; factors include panel size, wiring condition, meter relocation, grounding upgrades, and permits.
Upgrading to 200A is a common choice for modern homes and futureproofing; discuss financing or phased approaches if needed.
Next steps
Schedule a licensed electrician for a load calculation and site inspection.
Get a written estimate detailing scope, parts, permits, timeline, and warranty.
Prioritize safety issues immediately and plan capacity upgrades when adding high-demand equipment.
A properly sized, modern panel makes your home safer, more reliable, and ready for today’s electrical demands.