Whether you keep your current electrical panel or upgrade it to a new one depends on a variety of factors. Reasons to upgrade include breakers that keep tripping, lights that keep flickering, sparking outlets, the smell of burning or the need for new outlets. Electricians also recommend an upgrade if your panel is over 25 years old, has less than 100 amperes or starts to rust. Here are some pros and cons of keeping your old panel or installing a new one. You can refer to them when you consult a professional electrician to discuss an upgrade.
Pros of Keeping Your Old Panel
One of the secrets some electricians might not tell you is that if your electrical panel is between 150 and 200 amps, you probably don’t need an upgrade unless you’re going to add a high-demand item, such as an EV charger or powerful HVAC equipment. Upgrading a panel can be surprisingly expensive, so save your money unless it’s necessary. The individual circuits of some older panels can be upgraded without having to upgrade the entire system; this is a cost-effective approach.
Cons of Keeping Your Old Electrical Panel
The cons of keeping an electrical panel that’s more than 25 years old are far more numerous than the pros. The older your panel gets, the more at risk your home is for an electrical fire, especially if you see warning signs such as sparks and flickering lights. An old panel also isn’t as energy efficient as a newer model.
Pros of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
The pros of upgrading your electrical panel are also plentiful. Some home insurance companies offer discounts if you upgrade. The risk of fires drops with a new panel. New models are also more efficient and can handle higher electrical loads.
Cons of Upgrading
The biggest drawback of upgrading your electrical system is that it’s expensive. The expense includes not only parts and labor but permits, too. However, a new electrical panel can last 25 years or more and will eventually pay for itself. Another con is that while the panel is being upgraded, you won’t have any power. An average job usually takes an electrician a few hours, but if the job is complex, it can take an entire day or longer. You might have to spend the day or night elsewhere.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both upgrading your electrical panel and keeping it the way it is. If your electrical panel needs servicing, or you’d like to discuss an upgrade, call our electricians at Paxton Electric of Rochester, MN.
