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Electrical Panel Upgrade: A Guide

Feb 01, 2021
Electrical panel — San Diego, CA — White Horse Electric

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends that you regularly check your electrical panel, even if it doesn’t need any fixes. It’s because the electrical panels can get signs of scorching or rust, which is evidence of underlying damage. 


Therefore, it’s crucial that you routinely maintain your electrical panel. But in some conditions, it becomes necessary for you to upgrade your panel. Here’s a guide for that. 

Why Do I Need an Upgrade?

You must upgrade your electrical panel after every 25 years. So, if your home is this old, you’ll have to upgrade the panel. There’s also a range of other signs that you must look for that’ll tell you when an existing electrical panel is getting outdated. 

Faulty Wiring

When it comes to wiring, your safety should be of utmost importance. Faulty wiring is a leading cause of electrical fires in the US. Usually, it’s the older wiring that’s likely to develop faults, but a regular inspection can identify the issue at an early stage. 

Electrical box — San Diego, CA — White Horse Electric

Getting New Appliances

If your electrical panel can’t handle modern and heavy electrical appliances, it’s a sign that you need a panel upgrade. For instance, if you decide you install a hot tub or an air conditioner at your home and your electrical panel can’t manage the capacity, its circuit breakers will keep on tripping.

Use of Extension Cords

Many electrical panels aren’t made for modern-day electricity use. With the increased use of gadgets and other electrical appliances filling our homes, there’s more power demand as there was a decade ago. Evidence of it can be seen through the lack of wall sockets. 



If you see that you’re excessively using extension cords and power strips in your home, it’s a sign that you’re using more power than you’re supposed to, and your electrical panel needs an upgrade.

How Much Will It Cost?

The best time to get a panel upgrade is when you’re remodeling the house. It’s when you’ll be hiring a residential electrical contractor, so you can ask them to upgrade your panel as well. It would cost you between $600 to $2,000.

White Horse Electric’s Expert Residential Services in San Diego, CA

Contact White Horse Electric for the best residential electrical services. Our residential electricians in San Diego can take care of your electrical appliances and help you avoid any unforeseen, unfortunate events because of fluctuating voltages or faulty wiring. Our licensed electrical contractors also manage industrial and commercial projects. 

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