Your electrical panel is the nerve center of your home’s electrical system. It’s where electricity enters your home from the outside power grid, and your home’s main circuits pass through it. It’s perhaps the most important part of your home’s electrical system, so you need to make sure it’s in good shape and look for signs that you need an upgrade.
1. Frequently Tripped Circuit Breakers
Your circuit breakers are designed to trip and break a circuit if there’s an overload. Most of the time, a tripped breaker is a minor annoyance that is easily addressed. All you need to do is reset the tripped breaker and go about your day. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Frequently tripped circuit breakers can indicate that your electrical panel is not strong enough for your home’s electricity needs and should be upgraded. Circuit breakers can also wear out and become ineffective, which will leave your home vulnerable to overloads and electrical fires.
2. Flickering or Dimming Lights
Lights might flicker or dim when too much electricity is going through a single circuit. You’ll likely notice this problem if you turn on an appliance or device that uses a lot of electricity, such as a microwave or space heater, but you might notice some flickering even when there isn’t another big power draw. Adding some extra circuits could solve the problem, but it might be better to upgrade your electrical panel instead. An electrician can look at your panel and tell you which solution is best for you.
3. No Room for Additional Breakers
If you decide to add additional electrical circuits to your home, you need to make sure that your electrical panel has enough room for additional circuit breakers. If it’s too small, you’ll need a new panel. If you’re not sure whether your electrical panel is big enough, an electrician can take a look at it and let you know.
4. Having a Fuse Box Instead of an Electrical Panel
Before circuit breakers were the norm in American households, fuses were used to prevent overloads and electrical fires. Fuses work in much the same way as circuit breakers, but they need to be replaced whenever they blow and break a circuit. This alone makes them much less convenient, but they also aren’t as effective as circuit breakers and could pose a fire hazard for your home. Fuse boxes are usually found in homes built before 1960, so any electrical system that still uses them in the 21st century is almost certainly outdated and needs to be upgraded.
5. An Old or Outdated Electrical Panel
The average electrical panel should work reliably for 25 to 40 years. If your panel is at least that old, it’s time for an upgrade. Even if your panel is only 25 years old, it may not be powerful enough to keep up with modern appliances. Contact an electrician about an upgrade if your panel is over a couple of decades old, especially if you notice the other signs on this list.
6. Relying Too Much on Extension Cords and Power Strips
Extension cords and power strips come in handy when there’s not an electrical outlet in reach, but you shouldn’t have to rely on them too much. Reliance on extension cords and power strips for practically everything is a sign that you don’t have enough outlets in your home, which itself is also a sign that your electrical panel is not enough for your power needs.
7. Melting or Burnt Wires
If you notice melted insulation or burn marks on or near your electrical panel, it needs to be serviced as soon as possible. You’ll probably notice the smell of burning wood or plastic before you see anything burning, so pay attention to anything that seems off about how your panel looks or smells.
8. Strange Sounds Coming From Your Electrical Panel
While we’re on the subject of strange sights or smells coming from your electrical panel, you should pay attention to strange sounds as well. Buzzing or humming sounds could indicate a loose connection or some other problem that could spell disaster if it isn’t addressed quickly, so call an electrician if you hear anything odd.
9. A Rusted Panel
Your electrical panel can rust or corrode if it’s exposed to high humidity or water during a flood. Rust will severely weaken the panel and its circuits, so contact an electrician immediately if you notice it at any time. Don’t touch the panel yourself, especially if there’s still water present. Doing so could result in serious injury as well as further damage to your electrical panel.
10. Planning to Buy New Appliances
Technology evolves quickly, and an electrical system that was once more than adequate for your home’s power needs may no longer be enough if you plan to install new appliances in your home. Whether you’re buying a new chest freezer or installing a new air conditioner, you need to make sure that your electrical panel can handle it. If you have an older panel or you’ve had issues with electricity before, consider upgrading your panel before you buy any new appliances.
11. Planning a Home Renovation
If you’re planning a major home renovation, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel to keep up with the increased electrical load. This is usually the case if building an addition to your home that will require additional circuits for lights, electronics, appliances, or anything else that your new space may need. Even if you’re just remodeling an existing space, you may need an upgraded panel if you’re installing new appliances for your upgraded home. Factor a new electrical panel into your renovation budget and make it a priority.
Call John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical for Your Electrical Needs
If you’ve seen these signs or otherwise suspect that you need to upgrade your electrical panel, John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical will be happy to assist you. We have provided electrical, HVAC, and plumbing services to homes throughout Lincoln and Omaha, NE since 1996, and we have become known for our excellent customer service and expertise during that time. In addition to electrical panel upgrades, we also offer inspections, EV charging station installation services, indoor and outdoor lighting, and much more.
Our repair services are available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to call us at any time of the day or night if you have any electrical, HVAC, or plumbing issues. We also have financing for those who qualify to keep your services affordable for everyone who needs them, and we are up-front and transparent with all of our pricing. In other words, you will never be taken by surprise by an unexpectedly large bill when you work with us.
Our team will be happy to answer all of your questions and provide any service that your home may need. To learn more about the many services we offer or to schedule service for your home, call John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical in Lincoln or Omaha today.
