Electrical panel replacement should be handled by a local electrical services company. It is complex and entails a lot of planning and decision-making that can affect your home’s safety, function, and efficiency. Making the right choices affects not only your current electrical capacity but also your future electrical needs (a well-maintained service panel can last 40 years or more).
The breaker panel distributes power to every circuit, device, and appliance in your home. Replacing an old unit addresses concerns as energy demands increase and your electrical panel becomes older and less efficient. Aside from having insufficient capacity, an aging panel may be a fire or shock hazard.
Is your existing breaker panel less than 100 amps and not providing enough power? Here are some pro electrical panel replacement tips to help modernize your home.
Know When It’s Time for Electrical Panel Replacement
The age and condition of your electrical panel affect your entire electrical system. A lot of current passes through a breaker panel over its lifetime. Wear and tear are unavoidable but issues such as corrosion, mechanical failures, and water damage can also occur. Consult an electrical company if you notice signs it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, such as:
- Circuit Breakers Trip Frequently: Your household’s amperage draw is too high for the panel, or the panel is too worn or damaged to handle the electrical load.
- Overheated Electrical Panel: Signs of overheating include scorch marks on the unit or a burning odor. The unit may also feel very warm to the touch.
- Power Fluctuations: An overloaded or malfunctioning panel can cause lights to dim or flicker when you use appliances. Buzzing, popping, or other strange noises may also come from the unit.
- Issues with Wiring Safety: If you see exposed wiring near breakers or around your electrical panel, or wires aren’t properly grounded, it’s time for a replacement.
- Your Home Is Being Renovated: A home renovation or addition can increase the electrical load to more than your existing panel can handle.
Choose a Panel That Meets Your Home’s Electrical Needs
Determining your home’s electrical load can be challenging (homes most often use 100-, 200-, or 400-amp service). An experienced electrician can perform an accurate calculation. This requires adding up the amperage of all appliances, devices, electronics, lights, and other electricity-using gadgets.
You also want to avoid maxing out your new panel’s capacity. A pro’s calculation can account for brief spikes as appliances start up or surges that can exceed capacity, which can cause damage. A professional can also help if you’re uncertain about your post-renovation or future electrical needs.
Other considerations for choosing an electrical panel include:
- Can your wiring and service entrance handle the additional load?
- Do you have safety features like ground-fault circuit interrupters and arc-fault circuit interrupters?
- What is the panel’s brand? This can impact its quality and maintenance requirements.
When aiming for a high-quality product, choose a reputable brand, find UL-listed products, and determine whether replacement parts are readily available. Also, electrical panels include either aluminum or copper bus bars. Although more expensive, copper is higher in quality and more durable.
Determine the Best Location
An electrical panel’s location can impact the complexity of the installation job. The more complicated the work, the more an electrician may charge for labor, which is already a major factor in the cost of electrical panel replacement. However, licensed electricians know the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC). It sets regulations on the placement of electrical panels; some of these include:
- The panel must have at least 3 feet of clearance in front of it.
- A panel near plumbing must be protected by waterproofing.
- The panel door must have enough room to open to at least 90°.
- Furniture should not be placed near the electrical panel.
- Breaker panels cannot be installed near combustible materials.
Ideally, an electrical panel should be in an easily accessible location that’s out of sight. Some areas that meet NEC guidelines include:
- Garages: Garages are typically large enough to meet NEC workspace requirements. An electrical panel can be installed near the door connecting an attached garage to a home.
- Basements: A basement provides enough code-compliant installation options for an electrical panel. Just make sure emergency lighting is available in case of a power outage.
- Stairs: Although less common, an electrical panel can be placed under a staircase if there’s enough room and you can easily access it.
Determine the Project Costs and Your Budget
A 200-amp electrical box costs around $250 to $350, according to Forbes. The higher its capacity, the more the panel will cost, but there are many other considerations when estimating the project’s total cost. Your budget must also account for installing the meter box, which can cost between $100 and $650, and circuit breaker switches, which usually cost from $5 to $20. However, labor can increase this to $100 to $200.
Other variables that can affect the project cost include:
- Labor: Electricians typically charge $50 to $150 per hour. Installing an electrical panel is usually a four- to eight-hour job.
- Panel Relocation: Relocating an electrical panel can add $1,000 to $3,000 to the cost of the new panel.
- Electrical Work: If electrical wiring, outlets, and other components need to be replaced, you’ll be charged extra for the work.
- Property Repairs: Updating your electrical panel and other components often requires gaining access to spaces behind walls. This requires removing and fixing drywall, which will cost extra.
- Permits: Obtaining a permit can cost $50 to $350, depending on your municipality. The permitting process typically requires submitting plans, undergoing a review process, and performing a safety inspection to ensure the work complies with the NEC and local codes.
Consider Energy Efficiency
Electrical panel replacement can dramatically improve energy efficiency. However, it’s not the only way to reduce electricity consumption; efficiency is impacted by many other factors. To realize your potential for a more energy-efficient home, consider the following when replacing your breaker panel:
- Integrate smart thermostats, lighting controls, and other smart home technologies to manage and reduce energy consumption.
- Install LED lighting in place of incandescent bulbs; LEDs use less energy and have a longer lifespan.
- Upgrade to Energy Star-rated appliances that meet the latest efficiency standards.
- Run appliances on programmable timers. Set a schedule for usage and turn devices off when not needed.
- Insulate your home by sealing gaps around windows and doors.
- Install double-glazed, energy-efficient windows with low emissivity coatings.
- Maintain your HVAC system by changing filters regularly, cleaning it often, and scheduling annual tune-ups by a professional.
- Have an electrician balance your breaker panel’s load to improve load distribution, prevent overloading, and improve efficiency.
Know Your Local Codes and Regulations
Earlier, we mentioned some NEC requirements for electrical panel installation. Like all electrical work, your panel must meet the minimum standards specified by local and national electrical codes. Any violation of these, such as not meeting wiring or circuitry requirements, can have severe consequences. Non-compliance can result in a fire hazard, increased liability, denied insurance claims, or a voided warranty and can affect the sale of your property.
Consult with a Professional Electrician
Always consult with a professional when considering electrical panel replacement. Aside from complying with electrical codes, they have the experience and knowledge to perform complex tasks safely. They also ensure high-quality work. If any issues occur during the process, a technician can diagnose and resolve them before there’s costly damage. An electrician should also have liability insurance, which protects you against financial liabilities if an accident causes damage or injuries.
In addition to verifying they are insured, make sure a qualified electrician:
- Is Properly Licensed: Research the licensing requirements in your state or local area and compare them with your electrician’s licensure.
- Holds Relevant Certifications: Industry certifications show the contractor has demonstrated competency in their trade and meets industry standards.
- Communicates Effectively: The contractor should listen to your concerns, explain your options, be responsive, and provide all pricing information, including the cost of materials and labor, in writing.
Cover All Your Bases Post Installation
Electrical panel replacement is a big home improvement project. Proper care and maintenance will make your investment worthwhile. Your breaker panel should be more reliable and last longer if you follow these practices:
- Regularly inspect the panel for signs of damage and call an electrician if necessary.
- Clean dust and debris from around the electrical panel; this prevents overheating and improves ventilation.
- Label each circuit, which makes resetting a breaker easier and helps in troubleshooting issues.
- Check for loose electrical connections and tighten them whenever necessary.
- Install surge protection devices to protect your electrical panel from voltage spikes and lightning strikes.
- Keep the area dry and promptly address any leaks or sources of moisture.
- Schedule regular inspections by a professional electrician and keep records of maintenance and repairs.
- Maintain and promptly repair lighting and other electrical fixtures to reduce strain on the system.
Immediately after your electrical panel is installed, ensure a local building authority performs a full inspection. It will verify code compliance. Also, confirm power has been restored to all circuits, outlets, and switches, and that all circuits are accurately labeled. If you’ve had a backup power source connected, make sure it’s working and you know how to use it during a power outage.
Call Air Stars for Professional Electrical Panel Replacement
Our licensed, bonded, and insured electricians are fully trained to provide high-quality electrical panel replacement in Kieser, Salem, and surrounding areas. We upgrade older panels to 200-amp panels that support most modern home appliances. A new panel improves your home’s functionality and reduces fire, shock, and other safety hazards. Allow us to help modernize your home, and check our special offers for opportunities to save. Call (503) 744-5879 to schedule a consultation and learn more.
