Your electrical panel (also called breaker box) is the central hub of your home’s electrical circuits. You’ve probably had to access it in order to reset a circuit breaker. Sometimes homeowners experience electrical problems on a regular basis. If this is the case, the expert electricians at Oliver typically suggest an electrical panel replacement.
Other scenarios for replacing your electrical panel include the need for more circuits or a poorly or improperly wired panel that’s over 30 years old. If you believe you’re in need of an electrical panel upgrade, we highly suggest leaving the job to one of our electrical experts. Handling high amounts of electricity without professional experience can be extremely dangerous. Give Oliver a call at 1-888-810-2681 to discuss your upgrade.
An Upgrade For Every Home
Electrical panels can vary from home to home depending on your house size, panel type, installation method, and panel location. At Oliver, we deal with electrical panels of all kinds and can install a brand-new one quickly and easily. We’ll help you upgrade the amps of your current panel or install a new sub-panel to extend your electrical reach. An electrical panel replacement can improve the power supply that flows to your home, making it more consistent. It can also eliminate light flickering, breaker trips, and make your home safer by protecting it against potential fire hazards.
If you’re interested in installing a new electrical panel, contact one of our experts today. We will visit your home and assess your current situation. Then, we’ll provide you with a suggestion that we think best fits your budget and lifestyle.
Leviton Electrical Panels
Leviton Load centers have a cleaner appearance in an all-white enclosure with white circuit breakers. It also has the option to have a clear front cover to give a visual of the breakers. Some homes have their electrical panels recessed in the wall of a finished room. The cleaner appearance of a Leviton electrical panel might be appealing to those homeowners. It also gives the customer the option to replace any circuit breaker in their panel with a smart breaker. Leviton offers a free app that you can download to receive notifications from your smart breakers.
Smart Electrical Breaker Benefits:
- Shows energy consumption and cost for that circuit
- Shows how many amps the circuit is using and the status of the breaker such as good or tripped
- Shows the name of the circuit, meaning what rooms or appliances it is powering
- Gives a breaker status for appliances to monitor if the appliance is overrunning or not running at all (sump pump, refrigerator, freezer, pool pump, etc.)
- Energy usage on the circuit per week, month, and year
- Notifications via email or text such as high or low voltage conditions, high amp draws, breaker tripped, self-test failure, no communication
Signs You Need Electrical Panel Replacement
If you live in a home that is older than 25 years and still have the original electrical panel, such as a fuse box with fuses that get hot and burn out, then you’re likely due for an electrical panel replacement. If you have a modern panel with breakers but those breakers trip often, then the problem may be with the panel itself. A panel that is rusted or damaged in any way should be replaced. If a panel is warm or emits a burning smell, it’s facilitating more power than it can handle. Odd noises, such as clicking, buzzing, or humming, suggest a problem with the panel or some other aspect of the system. Lights that flicker or appliances that don’t get enough power indicate an issue with your electrical panel as well. If you don’t have enough outlets, are getting ready for a home remodel, or are adding a major appliance, you should have us inspect your panel and advise you on whether a panel upgrade is necessary.
The Benefits of an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Most house fires are caused by faulty electrical systems, and the main benefit of an electrical panel replacement is that you significantly reduce the risk of fires and electrical shocks. A modern panel will also allow for substantially increased power, which allows for more outlets and additional and more powerful appliances. Newer panels deliver power more efficiently, which can lower utility expenses. Your maintenance costs will be lower, and you may save on your home insurance premiums as well.
The Hazards of an Outdated Electrical Panel
It’s important to schedule an electrical panel replacement as soon as possible if your panel is damaged in any way, or if it no longer meets the standards set by federal, state, and local building codes. The main risk you run with an outdated electrical panel is a fire, and while you can operate an older panel without an incident for a long time, the risk is still significant. The other issue is that modern appliances are designed according to current electrical codes, which means that your electrical system is more prone to tripped circuit breakers, inadequate power delivery, electrical shocks, and other issues.
What an Electrical Panel Replacement Entails
An electrical panel replacement can range from a simple swap that can be completed in several hours to an involved rewiring that takes up to a week. Most projects require acquiring an electrical permit, so that is the first step. The electrician will then detach all wires connected to the old panel. The new panel will then be wired, and if the old panel is located in an improper position due to the current electrical codes, the new panel will be moved and the original location repaired. The electrician will need to install the main disconnect breaker if one does not exist, which is common in older homes, and finally, a local building inspector will come out to the home to inspect the new panel and sign off on it.
Trust Oliver for Your Electrical Panel Replacement
Oliver has many years of experience planning and carrying out electrical panel replacement for area homeowners, and you can trust us to install a modern panel that meets your power needs and protects your home. Call us today at 1-888-810-2681 or contact us online with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
