Upgrading your old electrical panel is one of the best investments you can make in your Grand Rapids, MI, home. It has the potential to improve electrical safety and make your home more energy efficient. A new panel can improve safety, reduce the risk of overloads, and ensure your system can handle modern energy demands. In this article, we'll explain the benefits of upgrading your electrical panel and how to know when a panel upgrade is necessary.

1. Frequent Issues With Your Electrical System

Monitoring your electrical system is important for ensuring everything works safely and correctly. For instance, an issue like having various lights throughout your home flicker frequently may seem like it's merely an annoyance. It is often a sign you need a larger electrical panel. One of the main reasons lights will flicker is that they aren't receiving sufficient power. This can happen because of something like your air conditioner or clothes dryer using up much of the available amperage flowing through the electrical system. Another issue to monitor is if some of your circuit breakers keep tripping and shutting off power to various parts of your house. When a single circuit breaker frequently trips, it indicates something is causing that circuit to get overloaded. This can happen because you have too many things plugged in, but it can also mean you're dealing with a damaged appliance that keeps short-circuiting. If the main breaker frequently trips, it may indicate serious overloads or a short circuit within your system. Our electricians can assess the problem and recommend whether rewiring or upgrading the panel is the safest solution. One of our experienced electricians can quickly diagnose the problem and may be able to repair the issue by rewiring part of the panel. However, if the panel is more than 20 years old, we’ll usually recommend upgrading it to a new panel since this will be a much more effective long-term solution.

2. Panel Can No Longer Meet All Your Needs

One of the most common times you'll need to upgrade your electrical panel is if you want to add something like a hot tub or EV charging station to your home. You'll also typically need a larger panel if you want to install central or ductless air conditioning in a house that doesn't yet have AC. This is common when switching from a gas water heater to an electric unit. All these things operate on 240-volt power and have quite high requirements in terms of how many amps they draw. For instance, a hot tub or an EV charging station often needs up to a 40-amp circuit, which is also what a 5-ton AC or heat pump needs. That means a standard 100-amp electrical panel wouldn't be sufficient for any of these things since they would use nearly half of the available power when running. Depending on how large your house is and how many other 240-volt circuits you already have, even a 150-amp panel may not be large enough. While a 100-amp panel meets minimum code, homes with large energy needs or modern upgrades often require a 200-amp panel for adequate power.

3. Renovating or Putting an Addition on Your House

When performing a major renovation, the city or county will typically require you to upgrade any part of your electrical system that doesn't fully conform to the current electrical code requirements. If you have an old electrical panel that only provides 60-amp service, you'll have to upgrade it. Renovating an older house often means doing things like rewiring certain areas and splitting some existing circuits into two to lessen the chance of overloads. One common issue you'll encounter in this type of situation or when putting a new addition onto a house is that there aren't enough open slots in the existing panel. You will either need a larger panel or to install a sub-panel. While the latter option will generally be less expensive, it may not be possible depending on how many amps your electrical service is. If your electrical panel is already old, it may not make much sense to spend a lot of money on renovating your house and not upgrading your electrical service at the same time.

4. Your Electricity Bills Are Higher Than Average

You can usually find information online about the average electricity bills for homes in your area that are similar in size to yours. Higher-than-average bills can result from extended run times for lighting, air conditioning systems, TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and other devices. However, if your electricity usage seems normal but your bills are rising, it could signal that your electrical panel is outdated and needs an upgrade. Older electrical panels often struggle to distribute power efficiently, especially with modern appliances that demand more energy. This can lead to voltage drops, forcing your appliances to work harder and consume more electricity than necessary. Upgrading your electrical panel can ensure consistent power distribution, reduce appliance strain, and can help lower your energy consumption.

5. Electrical Panel Feels Hot or Is Corroded

Some electrical panel issues require immediate attention, as they pose serious fire hazards and can cause severe damage to your home. If your panel feels hot to the touch, it’s often a sign that it’s overloaded and unable to meet your home’s current power demands. Corrosion or moisture damage can also increase resistance and loosen connections, further increasing the risk of overheating and electrical fires. In addition, corroded panels may cause frequent overloads or prevent circuit breakers from working correctly during an electrical fault. If you notice rust, discoloration, or hot spots on your panel, schedule an inspection immediately to avoid potential hazards. Mr. Sparky® is the one-stop shop for all your residential electrical needs. We specialize in a full range of electrical upgrades and can help if you need a new electrical panel, rewiring, installing additional circuits, or adding more lighting. If you're suddenly dealing with a major issue, you can turn to us 24/7 for emergency inspections and repairs. We back up our work with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and provide safe, effective electrical solutions that meet all code requirements. When you schedule a service call, one of our team will arrive right on time with everything they need to get the job done on the spot. To schedule an inspection and determine if now is the right time to upgrade your electrical panel in Grand Rapids, give the team at Mr. Sparky® a call.