When you think about upgrading your home, the electrical panel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are a lot of benefits with upgrading it. An electrical panel upgrade is a fairly simple and inexpensive process, but can make a big difference in how your home operates. Whether you’re in the early planning stages of construction or have already finished building your new home, an electrical panel upgrade cost can help make your house more energy efficient and safer to live in.
There are also some tax incentives available for those who are able to upgrade their electrical panel. There are many reasons why an electric panel upgrade is a good idea. An upgraded electrical system will lower your energy costs, reduce your risk of fire, and increase the resale value of your home. If you’re ready to take that next step forward by upgrading your home’s electric system, read on to learn more about what that entails and how much it will cost you!
What is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
An electrical panel upgrade is the process of replacing an older electrical service panel with a newer and more updated system. Electrical panels are found at the central point of power distribution in your home and are responsible for sending electricity to every room. If you’re building a new home and want to future-proof your electrical system, you can also add an electrical panel upgrade to your plans for the existing home. There are two main types of electrical panels: circuit breakers and fuses.
A circuit breaker system is more modern and can be found in newer homes whereas fuse panels are more common in older structures. An electrical panel upgrade will replace the old panel with a more updated model that will increase the amount of watts your home can handle and add some safety features like ground fault interrupters.
The new panel might resemble the previous one, or it may look completely different. When you’re replacing an electrical panel, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician do the work. This way, you can be sure the work is done properly and the new panel is installed to code.
Why Should You Update Your Home’s Electrical Panel?
The main reason for an electrical panel upgrade to improve the energy efficiency of your home. A fuse panel will only supply the amount of power necessary for the appliances you have plugged in, but a circuit breaker system can sense when more power is needed and supply it without blowing a fuse. While fuse panels are safe and effective, circuit breaker systems are more energy efficient. They can be programmed to supply different amounts of power to different circuits, and can help you reduce energy use and lower your monthly energy costs.
The fuse panel in your home is designed to shut off when there is a short or an overload of electricity. This will work great in the short term, but it can be dangerous. A circuit breaker panel has a built-in mechanism that detects when there is an electrical problem. When an issue occurs, it will trip the circuit breaker and stop the flow of electricity right away. This is much safer than relying on fuses to detect and shut down unexpected problems.
Things to Know Before Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
Before you get started with the electrical panel upgrade process, there are a few things you should know. First and foremost, you need to make sure your home’s electrical system is up to code. There are certain requirements that need to be met for an electrical panel upgrade to be considered safe and legal. Some factors that could affect your panel’s code compliance include your home’s age and where it is located. You’ll also want to make sure you have the right amount of power for your home and appliances.
This means you’ll need to know how much power your panel can supply and how much your appliances draw. When you’re ready to start the process of upgrading your electrical panel, you’ll first want to call an electrician. They can assess your current electrical system and let you know if an upgrade is possible. They can also help you design a plan for the upgrade that meets your specific needs and is within your budget.
How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost?
The electrical panel upgrade cost will vary based on several different factors, including the panel you choose, the type of wiring you want, and any additional features you would like. There are two main types of panels you can install: a breaker panel and a fuse panel. Breaker panels are the more modern option and they’re usually the recommended choice. Fuse panels are what was used in older homes and they’re more common in areas where electricity is at risk of short-circuiting.
You also have a few different wiring options to choose from when you’re upgrading your panel. Whether you go with copper or fiber, you can expect to pay around $5,000 on average. Whatever type of panel you decide on, the cost of the electrical panel upgrade will vary based on the features you want and the wiring type you choose.
Conclusion
An electrical panel upgrade is a worthwhile investment for any home that wants to save money on energy costs and be safer to live in. There are many benefits to upgrading your electrical panel, including an increase in power, energy efficiency, and circuit protection. A new electrical panel upgrade will be bigger and more modern and can better support modern appliances and larger homes.
An electrical panel upgrade can help you save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable to live in. When you’re ready to start the process of upgrading your electrical panel, be sure to call an electrician to determine if it’s feasible.
To get the best results and ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and efficient. Urban Piping is here to assist. If you need help in determining your electrical panel upgrade costs, get in touch with us today.
