If your home has an old electrical panel, you may be thinking of upgrading it. But, you may wonder if there would be any advantages to upgrading your electrical panel. Actually, there are several advantages to upgrading your electrical panel, and in some cases, it may even be necessary.
Increased Safety
A big advantage of installing a new electrical panel is the additional safety it will provide. In some cases, it will mean changing from round fuses to circuit breakers. This has the benefit of allowing you to reset circuits without the necessity of replacing fuses, thus removing the danger of receiving an electrical shock.
AFCI breakers are now required for most residential outlets. These circuit breakers limit circuit ampacity and reduce the risk of fires by detecting potentially dangerous arcs.
You could also choose to have GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters circuit breakers. These circuit breakers are primarily intended to prevent severe fatal electrical shocks. However, they can help to prevent fires in some cases or reduce the severity of fires by interrupting the flow of electricity. This type of breaker can be particularly good for kitchens or bathrooms where electrical shock can be a concern.
Better Circuit Capacity
You could find at some point that you’ll need to upgrade your breaker panel. Sometimes an upgrade is necessary due to a renovation of your home, such as remodeling your kitchen or buying a new appliance. An upgrade may be required in these situations in order to have adequate capacity.
When upgrading your breaker panel, be sure to consider how many breakers you will need. Adding certain appliances may necessitate upgrading your electrical panel
Higher Amperage Rating
Another issue to consider when deciding whether or not to update your electrical panel is your insurance company’s requirements. Some insurance companies require homeowners to have a main electrical panel that is rated for a minimum of 100 amps. So, if your electrical panel is rated lower than this, you will need a new electrical panel to meet your insurance company’s requirements.
Changing your electrical panel to one that is rated for higher amps may mean that you’ll also need to change the meter base, service mast, or underground or overhead service conductors. You can find out from your utility company what its requirements are.
Longer Lifespan for Your Appliances
An upgraded electrical panel is likely to be more reliable. This could mean fewer tripped circuits and the potential damage to your appliances that this can cause.
Improved Home Value
If you are thinking about selling your home, upgrading your electric panel could easily improve its resale value. If your electrical panel needs updating, potential buyers may think that you failed to properly maintain your home. This could cause buyers to be reluctant to pay the asking price for your home.
There are many advantages to upgrading your electric panel. It can increase your and your family’s safety while improving your home’s electrical performance. An upgrade can even increase the value of your home.
Contact Us
If you would like more information on upgrading your electrical panel or would like to make an appointment to help you determine whether or not you need a new electrical panel, call Clark Electric at 844-431-8050 or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
