Your electrical panel is responsible for having multiple circuit breakers that distribute power throughout your home. If you have ever opened your panel, then you know that it’s full of different switches. Each switch controls a different part of your house’s electricity. Like anything in life, panels will also reach the end of their lives and it is a good idea to get panel upgrades before that time.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?”
If you have and the answer to any of the following questions is yes, then you probably should upgrade your electrical panel.
1) Is your Home 20+ Years Old?
If your home is older than 20, then upgrading its electrical panel may be necessary. Older homes possess panels that have significantly fewer amps than modern homes do. This is because everything is run on electricity now, all our appliances, devices, and smart systems all need electricity from your panel to function the way they should. On the contrary old homes had less technology in their homes giving them no real reason for so much electricity.
For certain old homes the government offers a $500 rebate to upgrade your electrical panel to a 100, 200, 300, or 400 amp panel. Our team can even help you get those rebates so you can upgrade your panel for much cheaper.
2) Does your Panel Frequently Trip?
Sometimes your electrical panel will trip and turn off a part of your home’s electricity, this means it may be overloaded and needs repair. This can happen if you have too many appliances plugged into a circuit and that circuit does not have enough power to facilitate this. Turning off the electricity is simply a safety measure the panel has to prevent overheating. Sometimes, only a breaker needs to be replaced and not the whole panel. When you call one of ACAP Electric’s red-seal certified electricians they will offer you a free consultation of what needs to be done and they will even prepare a free quotation for you.
3) Is your Electrical Panel Hot to Touch?
If your panel or circuit is hot to the touch this may be caused by something overheating. In these cases, it is best to call an electrician right away to get it assessed and also prevent any damage from happening to the panel and to your home.
4) Ever Sense a Burning Smell in your Home?
Have you ever sensed a burning smell coming from your walls or panel that is not a good sign and could mean that your panel is overloading the wiring in your home. If this is happening then you should consult with an electrician ASAP to make sure you, your family, and your home stay safe and unharmed.
It is good to be cautious, but if by chance you believe that a fire has already started, then evacuate everyone and call 911 immediately. It’s always better safe than sorry in those situations.
5) Building an Addition or Garden Suite
After the City of Saanich allowed Garden Suites to be built a lot of people realized the benefits and soon began construction. Companies like Advanced Capital Construction help people build these suites from start to finish. Due to all the new appliances and electricity going to the suite clients usually get a separate panel. The addition of this panel provides the necessary electricity and helps landlords separate out the electricity usage between the main home and suite.
6) Are you Doing a Renovation?
Whilst doing a renovation/remodeling of your home it is common to replace old, outdated appliances with newer models. It is common to integrate smart systems in new homes. Upgrading a panel will greatly elevate the way your new technology functions.
It is good to contact your trusted, local electrician if you think something may be going wrong in your home. Want to learn more about panel upgrades? Check out the following page about how our red-seal certified electricians will go about upgrading your panel.
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