Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

You’ve lived in your cozy Cumberland home for almost two decades. In that time, your home has gone through a lot of changes. New windows, solar panels, new fridge, and your personal favorite…your air fryer!

As much as you adore your home, you’ve noticed your lights flickering and breakers tripping more than usual, leaving you wondering if there’s something wrong with your electrical system.

Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Your electrical panel is one of the hardest working components of your house. It keeps your AC running, the lights on, and the air fryer frying – no breaks, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But sometimes, you need an upgrade before the air fryer fries your circuits!

Here are some signs your electrical panel is reaching its breaking point:

• Your panel is between 25 and 30 years old
• Lights flickering or fluctuating when the AC turns on
• Burning smells (most often the smell of burning rubber or fish)
• Breakers frequently tripping
• Your panel is warm to touch

You also might need an upgrade if you need more outlets in your home or are adding some appliances, lights, or other electrical-dependent upgrades (like an EV charging station)! A panel upgrade now can prevent a major meltdown later.

Maintaining Your Electrical Panel

Inspecting your panel every 5 to 10 years is a good practice to keep your family safe. Electricity and related heat causes your panel, and the wires in it to expand and contract. Over time, that can cause arcing and lead to thermal events and even fires.

Old panels may not trip the breaker properly when they get overloaded. The last thing you want is for you or your family member to get an unexpected shock from a burnt-out breaker, or be left in the dark from power loss.

LaPlante Knows Electric

Don’t ignore the flickering lights until the power goes out. We have over 50 years of electrical experience. Our technicians are professionally trained, insured, licensed, and ready to take care of your home’s electrical needs safely.

We believe that you should never be left in the dark. That means having an electrical panel you can rely on.

Talk to one of our expert technicians today to learn more about your home’s electrical panel and if an upgrade is right for you.