There are Benefits Of Upgrading Electrical Panel: The whole electrical system is located there, including all outlets and light switches, so electrical panels are essential to every home. Many homeowners can live without opening or touching their electrical panels for months. This makes it one of the most important units that must be upgraded or maintained. It is often overlooked when it comes to maintenance or upgrades until a problem requires a professional electrician. These are the benefits of upgrading your electrical panel in your home office.
Benefits Of Upgrading Electrical Panel
1. Safety at home has increased.
An old and defective electrical panel or wiring can be a hassle to maintain and a potential danger that could lead to an electric fire.
Arc fault circuit breakers can prevent this problem. Arc fault circuit breakers work the same way as a smoke detector to detect any electrical discharge that sparks and prevent it from causing a fire.
2. Consistent power throughout your home
Your electrical panel can be upgraded to provide more power for your home. Your new electrical panel will handle all your workload so that you can say goodbye to flickering lights and internal power outages.
3. You can save money and add value to your home.
A 200-amp electrical panel upgrade could cost between $3,000 and $5,000. An upgrade to your electrical panel can save you money by increasing the efficiency of your home’s power supply and reducing your electricity bills.
A new electrical panel can increase the home’s value and be a selling point for potential buyers. As technology advances, we find that more of our possessions require more power. A typical electrical panel should be replaced every 20-30 years.
An upgrade to your electrical panel can make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you want to sell your home within the next few years. It will also show them that your home is up-to-date and safe.
4. It’s a great idea to add an addition.
Are you a homeowner who has recently begun to renovate or added a room to your home? You might need to install a new panel.
It can cause significant power draw depending on the type of addition. An upgraded electrical panel can be used to distribute power evenly between your home and the addition.
5. Circuit Capacity
You may need to upgrade your breaker panel to accommodate a major renovation or a new appliance. This will enable you to provide more safety features and circuits.
Consider large renovations such as adding a garage or renovating your kitchen. It is important to have enough circuit capacity.
It would help if you also considered any additional breakers you might need to power your new circuits. Upgrade your electrical panel if you plan to add appliances like a hot tub or an air conditioner.
6. Safety Features
You can update your home by installing a new panel. Resetting circuits can be done by switching from round fuses or breakers without replacing any components. This reduces the risk of electric shock and arcs.
Electrical code now requires that Afci breaks be installed. Afci breaks limit circuit ampacity and provide additional safety for circuits that might be arcing in walls. Arcing can cause a fire in your home.
Gfci breakers can now be purchased as a combination AFCI/GFCI breaker. This combination breaker is great for outdoor receptacles, bathrooms, and kitchen circuits. These combination breakers are easy to add to modern breaker panels.
7. Aluminum wiring
Upgrade an electrical panel to benefit from Afci breaks protecting aluminum wiring. A combination of AFCI-breakers can be used to add additional protection to homes that have aluminum wiring.
Aluminum wiring can only be fixed if it is completely removed. Electricians may “pigtail” the wiring to devices and fixtures to mitigate the problem. It would help if you used approved wiring connectors.
Pigtailing is an acceptable method of wiring, but it creates more connections. This is why copper wiring is preferable. Suppose breakers can be used to protect wire connections from becoming loose. If energized, loose wiring connections can cause excessive heat and arc.
8. Capacity for electrical load
Insurance companies require that your main electrical panel have a 100 amp rating. If you have a 60-amp electrical panel, you will need it replaced to comply.
This could include replacing the service mast, overhead or underground service conductors, and the meter base. Hydro utility providers might require that the meter base be replaced to meet their specifications.
These specs are available on your utility provider’s website and their terms and conditions. The common spec is to ensure that your meter base is rated at 200 amps per location.
9. Increase the resale price
A higher property value may lead homeowners to decide to replace their electric panels.
If potential buyers feel your home needs too much work to be worth the price, they may not pay you what you are asking for.
The electrical panel is a great way to build buyer confidence because it is something new owners won’t have to alter. It shows that you are willing to maintain your property and make repairs.
10. Increased power
You can upgrade your electrical panel to ensure that your home can meet its energy needs for many years. You are now ready for:
- Hot tubs can be added to your home.
- Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen
- Expanding your appliances in your house
You can reduce electricity consumption and increase your property and home’s value. When considering electrical upgrades, it is important to think about your future and the fixes you will need now.
11. An Energy-Efficient Home
An older panel requires more energy than a fully-updated one. Lower energy usage means lower utility bills and more money for you over the long term.
12. Lower Maintenance Costs
A panel upgrade will ensure that your new system lasts many years, and you don’t have to worry about repairs or replacements. You also have a lower chance of electrical fires and problems. This will reduce the need to repair or replace appliances.
13. Potentially lower insurance premiums
An electrical system and panel that are up-to-date and compliant with code can have a significant impact on the homeowner’s insurance premiums. An electrical panel upgrade can increase the safety of your home and reduce the risk of accidents or damage.
