Your electrical panel is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. In an age where nearly everything in our homes is electrical, the electrical panel keeps your home functioning and your daily rhythms moving like you expect them to. Without an electrical panel that’s sized properly (and working as it should), several problems could come up.
To upgrade your electrical panel for your home in the Loveland, CO, reach out to Save Home Heat Company. Our licensed electricians offer a wide range of products and can offer knowledge and expertise to help you make the right choice for your home.
What You Should Know About Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers
The electrical panel goes by many names, including a breaker box, electrical panel, and electrical service box. But no matter what you call it, it works the same. The electrical panel is typically located on a wall in the garage, a closet, or an unfinished part of the basement. Sometimes, it may even be outside in a weatherproof enclosure (attached to an exterior wall). Wherever it is—this is the heart of your home’s electrical system, controlling the electrical throughout your house.
Your electrical panel’s interior will show several switches; these are what we call circuit breakers. When you switch these circuit breakers, it turns the electrical flow on/off in specific areas (or circuits) throughout your home. There are both 120-volt and 240-volt inside the panel. You can tell the difference by how many slots they take up. 120-volt breakers take up one slot, while 240-volt breakers take up two. Typically, there are around 20-40 different electrical circuits in a single electrical panel, and these should all be labeled so you know which area of the home they correspond with. Some breakers might be dedicated to specific larger appliances, such as your AC system, well pump, or hot tub.
When Should I Consider an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
This is a really personal question, and the answer is: it depends. There are several factors that play into when you might want to replace your electrical panel. First off, if your home is older than 15 years or so, it’s quite probable that your electrical panel is not up to code. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace it, but it is worth keeping in mind as you consider the reliability and safety of your electrical system.
As we’ve mentioned, there are tons of things in our homes today that depend on electricity. When you consider computers and TVs, refrigerators, washers and dryers, there are quite a few items hooked up to your home’s electrical panel. But if the electrical load in your electrical panel becomes more than what it has the capacity to supply, you’ll suffer frequent power trips and other potential issues, so it’s best to get an electrical panel upgrade before you get to that point.
Other reasons that you might want to consider upgrading have to do with the age of your home. Internal wiring can deteriorate or come loose over time, and old-style fuses are no longer considered up to code. Electrical panel upgrades can fix these issues and provide exceptional real-time connectivity with your home’s electrical system. Not to mention you’ll be up to date in regards to safety.
Consider replacing home’s electrical panel if:
- Your current electrical panel capacity is not enough for your needs
- Safety concerns
- There is old, internal wiring that’s loosened over time
- You experience frequent circuit tripping for no obvious reason
- There are lights that dim or flicker frequently on multiple electrical circuits
- The electrical service panel, or wiring near the panel, is warm to the touch
- You see burn marks or rust inside the panel
- You hear buzzing sounds coming from the panel, either consistent or occasional
- It’s been recommended by an experienced, licensed electrician
- You’d like to upgrade to a safer electrical breaker that’s in line with those being installed in new homes
- You want Wi-Fi connectivity with a Smart electrical panel, giving you the option to monitor remotely and control your home’s electrical system from your phone
Smart Electrical Panels
Modern electrical panels frequently come with Smart options, so you can have more control over your home’s electrical system and better awareness of your power consumption. This typically comes in the form of smartphone apps with very user-friendly features.
Many homeowners in the Loveland area appreciate the benefits that come with our Leviton smart load center line. These innovative electrical panels offer real-time insights into the performance of each circuit in your home, giving you a comprehensive view of your system’s health. Not only do they track energy usage and costs, but they also send remote alerts, keeping you informed even when you’re away. Designed to accommodate various circuit breaker types, these panels meet the latest electrical codes and safety standards. With enhanced surge protection and cutting-edge false-tripping technology, they provide peace of mind, knowing your home is both safe and energy-efficient.
When Subpanels Can Be the Solution
In some cases, you might not need to completely replace your electrical service panel, but you still need extra capacity. In situations like this, an electrical subpanel (also known as a satellite circuit breaker panel) can be added to the system to power a certain area of the home. Determining if this is an option for you depends on your needs and your home. Consult a trusted electrician such as Save Home Heat Company to find out if this may be a potential solution for you.
What About Circuit Breakers?
You might be wondering why you need to replace the entire electrical panel if you can replace individual breakers. While this is an option, there are some caveats. Circuit breakers can be reset when they trip, but if they are frequently tripping, it’s often a sign that something bigger is going on. It’s worth having a trusted electrician take a look to determine which option is best for you.
Avoid an Electrical Fire with AFCI Breakers
When it comes to circuit breakers, there’s a lot to consider. Standard, resettable breakers have been a staple for over 40 years, designed to protect against overcurrent and short-circuit conditions that can lead to shocks or electrocution. But AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers have been used since 1999 and have significantly reduced the risk of electrical fires in homes. In fact, by 2017, the National Electrical Code (NEC) mandated AFCI breakers in nearly all residential circuits.
If your electrical panel is aging or if you’re experiencing recurring breaker issues, it may be time to upgrade to meet current standards and enhance your home’s safety.
You might need to replace some or all of your electrical circuit breakers if:
- Your circuit breakers are old or outdated
- Your circuit breakers have excessive wear
- The breakers are warm to the touch, discolored, or smell burnt
- Specific breakers are tripping frequently and will not reset
- You need to upgrade to AFCI circuit breakers for safety purposes
Safety First!
The most important factor in all of this is the safety of your electrical panel. While you might think flickering lights aren’t a big issue, they can be a sign of a bigger problem, so it’s important to make sure that your home is safe from potentially hazardous conditions. Electrical shock and fire risk are both front of mind in this discussion, and those are no small problems. Your electrical panel should be equipped to handle a variety of risky situations, such as problems caused by aging appliances, faulty electric motors, worn-out heating elements, or damaged wiring. It also helps guard against loose wire connections and electrical surges from both inside and outside your home. In short, your panel is your first line of defense against issues that could turn into dangerous situations.
Whether you’re considering upgrading to AFCI breakers, replacing breakers that are old or outdated, or even switching to a full electrical panel replacement, Save Home Heat Company offers unparalleled expertise and is considered a trusted electrical team in the Loveland area for a reason. Our Master Electrician and our team of skilled electricians are committed to providing top quality service evaluating the condition of your electrical panel and pinpointing any potential risks or needs in your home. Everything is done in an informative, low-pressure manner.
Quality, Professional Electrical Panel Service and More
If your home is 10 years or older and you haven’t had a qualified electrician evaluate your home (or if you haven’t lived there for 10 years but you’re not sure when the last time an electrician has looked at it), it’s a good idea to have a professional out. Other reasons include if you’ve added several electrical appliances over the years or are considering remodeling. In any of these cases, a trusted electrician from Save Home Heat Company can do a thorough inspection and let you know of any potential risks or concerns we see. Then, we can help you make an informed choice so you feel confident in your decision.
For more information about electrical panel replacement or other electrical services in the Loveland community, please reach out to our team today.
Our Complete Line of Quality Home Services Includes:
- AC Repair, Maintenance, and Installation – Ductless & Central Systems
- Furnace, Boiler, and Heat Pump Repair, Maintenance, and Installations
- Hot Water Baseboard and Radiant Floor Heating System Service & Installation
- Household Plumbing Services
- Complete Residential Electrical Services
- Central Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Products
- Water Heater Repairs & Installation – Standard, High Recovery, Tankless, and more
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