There are several warning signs and situations where an electrical panel replacement makes sense.
When it comes to home improvements, an electrical panel replacement may be the last thing you think about. But the truth is that your electrical panel is an ideal place to start when upgrading your home! Your electrical panel provides a first line of defense against the dangers of overloads and other electrical hazards, and it also enables your home to support new gadgets and appliances.
At TCA Electric, electrical panel replacements are one of the most common services we provide. While it may not be as flashy as a new smart home gadget or a home EV charging station, an electrical panel replacement can do a whole lot for the health of your home’s electrical systems. Here are some situations where you should consider an electrical panel replacement.
Your electrical panel is damaged or outdated
The clearest situation where an electrical panel replacement is needed is if your panel is old or damaged in some way. Old or damaged panels can malfunction or even fail. Because your electrical panel is there to provide a defense against dangers such as electrical surges, overloads, and even fires, that means it’s especially important to replace them when they start to deteriorate.
It’s often easy to tell if your electrical panel is damaged in some way. Things like rust, dents, or burn marks are strong indicators that your panel should be replaced immediately. Determining whether your panel is outdated can be trickier, however. If you aren’t sure how old your electrical panel is, a Vancouver electrician will be able to help.
Your current panel is operating at or near capacity
One of the most common reasons for an electrical panel replacement is to enable your home to safely use more power. If your panel is already operating near its maximum capacity, it’s a good idea to schedule an upgrade.
How do you know if your electrical panel is facing more power demands than it can handle? One of the most common signs is if your circuit breakers are constantly tripping. While an occasional breaker tripping isn’t necessarily cause for concern—it’s the intended function, after all—frequent tripping suggests that your home is constantly drawing on more power than your electrical panel can provide. Dimming lights and lowered power levels of appliances also indicate that your electrical panel is struggling to keep up.
You’re planning other home upgrades that will demand more power
If your electrical panel can handle enough power to support your family’s current needs, that’s great! However, if you’re planning to install new appliances, add new devices, or make expansions to your home, you may start to see many of the above signs that your electrical panel is being pushed too far.
Because of this, it’s often a good idea to consider an electrical panel replacement before making upgrades to your home that will demand more power. Depending on the size of your current electrical panel, an upgrade may not be necessary. However, it never hurts to get a second opinion from a professional electrician that understands the capacity of your panel and the demands of the upgrades you’re intending to make to your home.
Contact TCA Electric to Schedule Your Electrical Panel Replacement!
At the end of the day, you need to be able to trust your electrical panel to keep your home and family safe. When it comes to replacing it, then, it only makes sense to call on the most reliable and experienced electricians in Vancouver!
At TCA Electric, we’ve helped many homeowners gain greater peace of mind and expand the electrical capacity of their homes with our professional electrical panel replacement services. With more than 60 years of combined electrical experience, you can trust our team of electricians to install your new electrical panel efficiently and expertly. So whether you’re looking to upgrade your home or if your current electrical panel is out of date, contact TCA Electric today!