Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power system. It routes electricity to every outlet, light, and appliance you use daily. But like any system, it has its limits—and if your home is more than a couple of decades old, those limits may be holding you back.
From safety concerns to increased power needs, there are many reasons why upgrading your electrical panel could be one of the smartest investments you make in your home or business.
What Is an Electrical Panel?
Also known as a breaker box, service panel, or load center, your electrical panel distributes electricity to the circuits throughout your home. It contains breakers (or fuses in older systems) that shut off power if a circuit becomes overloaded.
Modern panels are designed to handle today’s high-demand appliances and technology—everything from HVAC systems to EV chargers and smart home setups.
If your panel is outdated or undersized, you might experience:
- Frequent tripped breakers
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Limitations on adding new appliances or outlets
- Increased fire risk due to overheating circuits
When Should You Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?
Here are the most common signs and situations that may require a panel upgrade:
1. Your Home Is Over 25 Years Old
Older panels often weren’t designed to support today’s electrical loads. If your home was built before the mid-1990s and still has its original panel, it may be time for an update.
2. You’re Adding High-Power Appliances
Installing a new electric range, HVAC system, hot tub, EV charger, or washer/dryer combo? These upgrades require dedicated circuits and more available amperage than older panels can typically provide.
3. You’re Planning a Renovation or Expansion
Home additions or room conversions increase your overall electrical demand. A modern panel ensures your system can safely handle the added load.
4. You Experience Frequent Power Issues
If breakers trip often or lights flicker when multiple appliances run at once, your panel may already be maxed out—or it could be deteriorating internally.
5. Your Panel Uses Fuses or Outdated Components
Fuses are no longer used in modern construction. While they can still function, they offer limited protection and aren’t built for modern energy demands. Some older breaker panels (such as certain Zinsco or Federal Pacific models) are even known fire hazards.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
A new panel isn’t just about solving current problems—it’s also about preparing your home for the future.
Increased Capacity: Modern panels offer 100 to 200 amps (or more) of capacity—far more than the 60-amp systems found in older homes. This lets you safely run more devices and appliances without overloading circuits.
Improved Safety: New panels offer more reliable protection against electrical faults, reducing the risk of overheating, arcing, and fire.
Better Energy Efficiency: Upgrading your panel allows for more efficient electricity distribution, especially when paired with LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, or solar installations.
Future-Proofing: Thinking about solar panels, battery backups, or electric vehicles? A panel upgrade is often the first step toward supporting these technologies.
Trust a Licensed Electrician for the Job
Electrical panel upgrades require proper permitting, code compliance, and coordination with your utility provider. This is not a DIY project. Working with a licensed electrician ensures the job is done safely, correctly, and up to current standards.
Ready to Upgrade?
If you’re unsure whether your electrical panel is up to the task—or if you're already experiencing power issues—Have Lights Will Travel can help. Our licensed electricians perform detailed inspections, recommend the right panel size for your needs, and handle the entire upgrade from start to finish.
Contact us today to schedule an electrical panel assessment and make sure your home is powered safely and reliably for years to come.