Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
Your home's electrical panel has the important job of distributing electricity in your home and protecting your home from fire. An electrical panel usually lasts for many years, but you may have to replace yours when the panel gets old or damaged. Here are some reasons to consider getting a new electrical panel and what it entails.
Why You Might Need A New Electrical Panel
An electrical panel can sometimes be damaged by lightning or fire and need to be replaced. Sometimes, a single circuit is bad, and in that case, repairs might be possible instead. Since the electrical panel is a safety device that flips off electricity when there's a problem, you want the panel to be fully functional at all times, so replacing a damaged panel is necessary and worth the expense. You might also want to replace the panel when you renovate your home and upgrade the panel to a more modern version. An old panel brand that's proven to be unsafe may need to be replaced as a safety precaution, but even if the old panel isn't a hazard, it may not be able to keep up with your demands for power.
If your circuits are overloaded, you may notice lights flickering or the circuit breaker flipping off occasionally, and that could be a clue you need a new electrical panel. Also, if you plan to add a hot tub or other home addition that uses a lot of power, you might need a new electrical panel to handle the added load.
What Installing A New Electrical Panel Entails
Putting in a new electrical panel is a job for an electrician, and it will probably require a permit and inspection from your codes office. The power company is also involved since they must cut the power to your house so the electrician can work on the panel. For these reasons, you need to plan ahead and coordinate the job unless getting a new panel is an emergency situation. For instance, you'll need to prepare your food and home to be without electricity until the job is complete, the inspection is done, and the power company comes back out to hook up the electricity. The process could take a full day.
Since the old panel is removed to put in the new one, this is a good time to move the panel to a new location if you want to. You'll also be able to upgrade to more power and more circuits with a new panel. Also, the electrician will check the circuits and wiring, because it might be necessary to replace some wiring at the same time. If you're replacing the panel as part of a home renovation, then you may want to add additional outlets for the convenience of plugging in your computers and devices without having to use power strips or extension cords like you might have to do with an older electrical system.
If you worry about your home's electrical system because it's outdated or you're frustrated that you can't use all the devices and appliances you want, then having a new electrical panel put in will solve your problems and put your mind at ease. Homes today demand much more power than was planned for when older homes were built, so upgrading your electrical panel is something that will probably need to be done to make your life easier. Contact a service, like Cole Electric Inc, for more help.