When was the last time you thought about your electrical panel? Probably the last time you tripped a circuit and had to reset it. Your home’s electrical panel controls the flow of electricity where it enters the home to ensure you have safe power in every room.
If something goes wrong with the electrical panel, the result could be damaged electrical appliances or even a fire.
Larger TVs, computers, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and all our hi-tech devices all contribute to making our lives more comfortable.
Many older homes can’t handle this increased demand on the electrical system. Even if your wiring is up to code, your electrical circuit panel may need to be replaced to meet the demands of new appliances such as electric car charging stations.
Signs Your Electrical Panel May Need Upgrading
- Lights that flicker or randomly go from dim to bright.
- Lights dimming when a hair dryer, microwave, or other appliance is turned on.
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers.
You may need a service panel upgrade. An electrical panel or service upgrade involves replacing your breaker box with a panel that offers increased capacity to handle increased power demands. Clover Electric can also inspect your wiring and other electrical components to make sure your system is running smoothly.
Why Should You Hire a Professional for an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Hiring a licensed and insured electrician is a cost-effective investment in your comfort and the reliability of your electrical systems.
Upgrading your electrical panel will provide effective support for your lights, appliances, electronics, and other systems. It will also help reduce monthly utility bills, protect sensitive electronics from damage, and improve the safety of your home.
Professional electricians understand these benefits and have the skills and advanced training to upgrade your electrical panel safely and efficiently. From start to finish, removing your old panel and installing the new one takes a skilled electrician between four to eight hours to complete.
The Dangers of Trying to Upgrade an Electrical Panel Yourself
There is the potential for electric shock, electrocution, and fire any time you work with electricity. Learning to handle electricity safely requires years of training and experience.
If you choose to service your electrical panel yourself, you risk creating a potentially fatal fire hazard in your home. It’s a considerable risk and can nullify homeowners insurance coverage if something happens. It’s not worth the risk of personal injury, death, or property loss to service your electrical panel without the help of an electrician.
The Electrical Panel Maintenance Process Following an Upgrade
After your upgrade, you’ll want to stay on top of preventative electrical panel maintenance. This includes performing regular visual inspections to look for rust, scorch marks, loose breakers, and other issues. You’ll also want to keep the area around your panel clear of any dirt or debris.
There are many steps you can take to keep your panel in good condition, including:
- Keeping the panel clean and dry helps protect the unit against rust and other issues.
- Keep the area well-ventilated to protect against overheating.
- Avoid overloading the panel or using the wrong-sized circuit breakers.
- Always keep your warranty and purchase information secure so you can find it if you need to use it. Many newer panels have warranty coverage that extends five to 10 years after installation, which can help shield your budget from costly repairs if an issue emerges.
As with all electrical panels, you’ll want to pay close attention to potentially hazardous issues throughout the life of the new panel.
These include burning odors, scorch marks, frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights, diminished appliance performance, etc. If you detect any of these, you should schedule an inspection with a licensed and insured electrician.
Why Choose Us?
The licensed and insured electricians at Clover Electric have proudly served the Cleveland community since 1985.
We work on your schedule and will always treat your home with the utmost respect. We offer upfront pricing and guarantee your satisfaction with the quality of our services. For all your electrical needs, choose Clover Electric.
Contact Clover Electric at 440-424-4640 today to schedule electrical panel upgrades in Cleveland or surrounding areas.
