Electric panel upgrades are often overlooked. It’s no surprise that they are since they’re usually found in basements or garages. However, they play an important role in running a home.
Our homes run on electricity 24/7. The reality is, our world is becoming more technologically advanced, and the use of power is increasing steadily.
As a result, our electric panels take a toll. With years and years of constant use, it’s bound to break down and cause problems.
Some signs of an electric panel breaking down vary from flickering lights to severe cases of tripping circuit breakers. You might also notice an increase in power strip usage which doesn’t look good in a home and might drain more electricity than you think.
With a troublesome electric panel, you might need to upgrade it. In this article, we’ll discuss why you need an electric panel upgrades and signs that it’s time to get it replaced.
Flickering Lights May Indicate A Need For Electric Panel Upgrades
The first sign and reason why you should upgrade your electric panel are flickering lights. If this isn’t scary enough for you, we’ll tell you why.
Flickering lights are a byproduct of wiring that is faulty. Other than the problem with the lights, faulty wiring will cause a burnt smell and even shocks when touching certain appliances such as microwaves or laptops. You will also find scorch marks and sparks on power outlets or sockets in your home. Another thing to look out for is when your electric panel feels warm.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
So you installed a new air conditioner, but your circuit breakers trip each time you turn the air conditioner on. So, what’s the problem? Circuit breakers trip and shuts off electrical flow because a circuit is overloaded.
The reality is, you need to upgrade your electric panels every 25-40 years. If your home is still using an old electric panel, it won’t be able to handle new appliances.
Old electric panels can’t handle too much electricity.
These days, modern homes run on new and advanced appliances. With an ancient electric panel, your home will experience blackouts on the daily. When this happens, you know it’s time to upgrade your electric panel.
Power Strip Usage
Are you using more and more power strips to charge your devices all over your home? Using more power strips happens because you have limited wall sockets in the house. However, using these many power strips means you’re using more electricity than your electric panel can handle.
Twenty years ago, two or three wall sockets were enough for a home. These days, we need more outlets due to the overflowing demand for electricity.
If you have a bunch of extension cords and power strips all over the home, it’s time to upgrade your electric panel.
Your Home Safety
Besides upgrading your home’s electricity capability, you will be doing your home a favor by ensuring that it’s a safe place for your family. According to research, faulty wiring and electric panel issues are some of the leading causes of house fires in the US.
By being prepared and ensuring you upgrade your electric panel, your home will be safer from fires and other electrical disasters.
Another thing that homeowners can do to minimize the risk of electrical problems is to use outdoor lights that don’t need wiring. Solar-powered post lights, lamps, and floodlights are perfect additions to outdoor spaces. They help save energy and reduce the risk of outdoor lights going haywire. Moreover, solar lights require little to no effort and resources to install and maintain.
Also, investing in an electrical panel upgrade can increase your home’s value. For those who plan to move out, upgrading your electrical panel will help future owners since they don’t need to update it.
If you’re unsure whether your home needs an electrical panel upgrade, you can hire a professional to inspect your electric panel. They can also help you figure out what steps to take to make sure your electric panel is in good shape. They might suggest you change the wires or upgrade the panel as a whole. Either way, it will be a good investment for your home.