The Homeowner’s Guide to Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

For many homeowners, the electrical panel is a mysterious metal box that they rarely think about—until something goes wrong. However, this critical component of your home’s electrical system plays a vital role in ensuring safety and accommodating modern electrical demands.

As technology advances and our reliance on electronic devices grows, upgrading your electrical panel becomes not just a matter of convenience but of safety and efficiency. Sonner Electric is here to provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding when, why, and how to upgrade your electrical panel. Contact us at 661-728-0126 to learn more.

Understanding the Need for an Upgrade

The electrical panel, often referred to as the breaker box, is the hub where electricity from the grid enters your home and is distributed to various circuits. It also provides a safety mechanism to shut off power to prevent overload, which can cause fires. Several signs indicate the need for an upgrade:

• Frequent Tripping of Breakers: This often suggests that your current system is overloaded and unable to handle the electrical demand of your household.
• Use of Multiple Power Strips: Relying on power strips because you don’t have enough outlets can indicate your system’s incapacity to meet your electrical needs.
• Installation of Major Appliances: Adding significant appliances or systems, such as HVAC units or electric car chargers, often requires an upgrade to support the increased load.
• Age: If your home is over 25 years old and the panel has never been upgraded, it’s likely not equipped to handle modern electrical demands.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

Upgrading your electrical panel is a significant investment in your home’s safety, efficiency, and future readiness. Benefits include:

• Enhanced Safety: A modern panel reduces the risk of electrical fires by efficiently managing electrical loads and providing improved fault protection.
• Increased Capacity: An upgrade allows you to add more circuits, eliminating the need for dangerous daisy chains of power strips and extension cords.
• Future-Proofing: With a more robust electrical system, you’re ready to embrace future innovations, whether it’s smart home technology or electric vehicle charging.
• Improved Home Value: Upgraded electrical systems are a selling point, potentially increasing your home’s market value.

The Upgrade Process

The process of upgrading an electrical panel is complex and should only be performed by licensed professionals. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Assessment: A technician from Sonner Electric will assess your current system, discussing your needs and any future plans that might increase your electrical demand.
2. Permitting: Most jurisdictions require a permit for this type of work, ensuring that the upgrade meets local building and electrical codes. Sonner Electric will handle the permitting process for you.
3. Choosing the Right Panel: Based on the assessment, we’ll recommend a panel with the appropriate capacity. Most homes require at least a 200-amp panel, but this can vary.
4. Installation: Our certified electricians will safely remove your old panel and install the new one, making all necessary connections and ensuring everything is up to code.
5. Inspection: Once installed, the system will be inspected by a local official to ensure it meets all safety standards.

Call Now for Help

Upgrading your electrical panel is a critical step in ensuring your home’s safety and functionality. With Sonner Electric, you can rest assured that the process will be handled efficiently and professionally, from the initial assessment to the final inspection. Remember, electrical work is not a DIY project; always rely on experienced professionals to ensure the safety of your home and family. For more information or to schedule an assessment, contact Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126. Upgrade today and power your home safely into the future.