Old isn't a reason by itself
We get a lot of calls that start with "my panel is old, do I need a new one?" Sometimes yes. Often no. A panel that is in good shape, has room for the circuits you need and isn't a brand with known problems can keep working for a long time.
What matters is condition, capacity and what you plan to add. That's what we look at before we quote an upgrade.
Signs it's time to take a look
None of these mean you need a new panel for sure. They do mean it's worth having someone open it up.
| What you notice | What it can mean | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Breakers trip often | Overloaded circuit, bad device or worn breaker | Load on the circuit, breaker condition, wiring |
| Panel or breaker feels warm | Loose connection or overheating | Torque on terminals, signs of heat damage |
| No open spaces left | Not enough room for new circuits | Whether tandems are allowed or a bigger panel is needed |
| Fuses instead of breakers | Older system, likely smaller service | Service size, wiring condition, grounding |
| Lights dim when the AC kicks on | Heavy load on the service or a loose connection | Service size, neutral, connections at the meter |
Adding an EV charger, shop or generator
Most panel upgrades we do start with something new: an EV charger, a hot tub, a shop, a remodeled kitchen or a standby generator. Before we add a big load, we do a load check on the house. That tells us whether your existing service can handle it.
If it can, we add the circuit and you're done. If it can't, we'll explain the options. That might be a larger panel, a service upgrade with the utility, or in some cases a load management device so you don't have to upgrade at all.
What an upgrade involves
A panel swap is usually a one-day job for the house. A service upgrade takes more coordination.
- We confirm which utility serves the address and what they need for a disconnect and reconnect.
- We pull the permit with the city or county office that covers the address.
- We set the new panel, move and label every circuit, and fix anything unsafe we find along the way.
- The inspector signs off and the utility restores power.
The bottom line
If the panel is in good shape and has room, keep it. If it's damaged, undersized for what you want to add, or out of space, an upgrade makes sense. Either way, we'll tell you which one you have and why.
More on this work: Electrical Panels & Upgrades
