Whole-Panel Electric Upgrades

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to your home’s electrical panel. But the truth is, if your home is more than a few decades old, chances are it’s time for an upgrade. Below, learn why this is important, how to know your panel needs a replacement, and what Jones Services can do to help.

Why Upgrade Your Home’s Electrical Panel?

The electrical demands of today’s homes are far greater than they were even just a few years ago. Today’s appliances are bigger and use more energy, and homes are filled with gadgets and electronics that help make life easier.

Depending on the age and condition of your current panel, it may not be up to the task of powering your home safely and efficiently with a growing power load over time.

How It Works

The electrical panel is the nerve center of your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity from the main power source to all the circuits in your home, which allows you to operate multiple electrical appliances in different places throughout your home.

An outdated or overloaded electrical panel can be a fire hazard and put your family at risk, plus lower the resale value of your home. Furthermore, old panels are less likely to be able to support the electrical needs of a modern family.

The whole-panel approach is the best way to upgrade your home’s electrical panel because it provides the most comprehensive coverage of your electrical system. This replaces the entire electrical panel, including all the circuit breakers, with new ones that meet current safety standards.

Doing so ensures that your home’s electrical system is up-to-date and safe for your family, versus replacing only one or two components and allowing the rest of the system to remain out of date.

The Benefits Of a Whole-Panel Approach

Upgrading your home’s electrical panel has many benefits. Perhaps the most obvious is that it will allow you to use more electricity without overloading your system because an upgraded panel will have a higher capacity than your old one.

Getting an upgrade can also help to improve the safety of your home because newer panels typically have circuit breakers that are designed to trip more quickly than older ones, helping to prevent fires.

You can completely customize your new electrical panel to meet your specific needs, such as having more power diverted to one area of your home than another, and it generally costs less in the long run than replacing individual components as they break down or become outdated. A whole-panel upgrade can also add significant value to your home should you decide to sell it.

Signs You Need a New Electrical Panel

You might need a new electrical panel if your home is more than 50 years old, your electrical system isn’t up to code, or you keep having to reset your circuit breaker. Other indicators that you might need a new electrical panel are if you have lights that flicker or dim or appliances that overload the system if turned on at the same time. Don’t wait to call a qualified electrician – these signs could mean that your home is at risk of fire or other damage.

What Does It Cost To Replace a Whole Electrical Panel?

The cost of replacing a whole electrical panel can vary depending on the size of the panel and the type of electrical system you have, as well as amperage, permits needed, and your location. According to home advice expert Bob Vila, the cost to replace an electrical panel can range between $526 to $2,010 with a median of $1,210.

You’ll also need to pay for your electrician’s labor, which can range anywhere between $40 and $120 or more per hour based on the size and difficulty of the project, as well as how long it’s expected to take. It’s recommended that you get multiple quotes from different electricians before making a decision.

How Jones Services Can Improve Your Home Electricity

Upgrading your home’s electrical panel is an important investment that can pay off in the long run. The whole-panel approach is the most comprehensive and cost-effective replacement option and can give you peace of mind knowing that your home is safe and up to code.

At Jones Services, we can provide a free in-home consultation to help you determine what type of upgrade you need and how much it’s expected to cost. No matter what your needs are, we can help you find a solution that fits your budget and your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your home electricity at (845) 299-2074.