Electric panels play a huge role in a modern home. Since most of us use gadgets and appliances on a daily basis, electricity is a necessity. As technology becomes more advanced and integrated into society, it’s important for a household to run on electricity seamlessly.

However, electric panels are obsolete and can become rusty. When left ignored, it can cause a lot of issues for homeowners and renters. Not to mention the potential dangers of fires due to wiring and outdated electric panels which should be enough to convince you to upgrade an electric panel.

Other than that, having an updated electric panel can boost a home’s potential selling price and will prevent electrical issues in the future. For homeowners or those with a rental contract, it’s important to know if they need to upgrade their electric panel or not.

Before it’s too late, you can spot obvious signs of an outdated electric panel. So, here are 3 signs that it’s time to get an electric panel upgrade:

Faulty wiring is one of the most common causes of electrical issues

Damaged Wires

A big reason for fires in the home is due to faulty wiring. Although the wires on your electric panel might look okay, they don’t age very well and might need to be upgraded. The reality is, the older the wiring is, the more likely it is going to be faulty.

The good news is, you can spot if an electric panel has faulty wiring from signs such as small shocks from touching your appliances, flickering lights, the smell of burning, sparks on power outlets, and even warmth around the panel itself.

New Gadgets

Have you ever been shocked by a kitchen appliance? This is usually a sign that it’s time to upgrade your electric panel. Another reason why you should upgrade your electric panel is that old panels cannot deal with new appliances. For example, an air conditioner or a hot tub might need a new electric panel because the existing one won’t be able to facilitate the electricity needed.

With the number of gizmos in a modern home today, an ancient electric panel won’t be able to handle all that electricity. To ensure your house can accommodate the appliances, it’s important to have an updated electric panel. This will also reduce issues such as small shocks from your appliances and prevent future issues that can endanger the home.

If your power strip cords are discolored in any way, throw them out immediately

Power Strips

The reality is, many electric panels aren’t made for modern use just like fuse boxes. With new gadgets, you are bound to be charging your devices more often. So, an old electric panel won’t have enough power to supply that demand.

The use of more power strips simply means that you need more electricity. It also means you are using more electricity than your home can handle. If this the situation in your home, then it is time to upgrade that electric panel.

How Much Will It Cost?

If you are still wondering if you need to upgrade your electric panel, there are many signs you can look for. A few of the obvious signs other than shocks from touching your appliances are flickering lights and a smell of burning. So, if yours looks a little outdated and these issues keep coming up, it’s probably time to upgrade it. Another thing you can do is find a professional to inspect the panel.

An upgrade costs around $1000-4000. Upgrading your electric panel is a big investment, but it saves you the hassle in the long run. If you’re selling your property, an upgraded electric panel can actually boost your property’s value. Unless you’re a legally certified electrician, it’s important to find a professional to do the job to avoid any unwanted results.

Upgrading your electric panel can also save you from expensive property damage by reducing the risk of a fire. Faulty wiring and circuits are a common cause of house fires that can result serious damage. If a fire affects your home, it can cause major losses and you will have to work with a fire damage restoration professional to get your home restored.

In conclusion, making sure your house is safe from disasters is a good enough reason to upgrade your electric panel.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.