Signs You Need A New Electrical Panel
7 Signs You Need An Electrical Panel Service
Replacement In Your Chehalis, WA Home
From Tripped Circuit Breakers To Power Surges,
Here’s What To Be On The Lookout For
Your home relies on having dependable electrical service. Without a reliable electrical panel service in your Chehalis, WA home, you could face a lot of annoying and dangerous problems.
Knowing when you need a new electrical panel service can be confusing, especially if you have limited electrical knowledge. You can look for specific signs that indicate it’s time for a replacement.
It’s important to identify these signs as soon as possible, as having an outdated electrical panel can be a hazard to your home and family. These are the top signs you need an upgrade as soon as possible.
1. Your Circuit Breakers Are Constantly Tripping
Do you plug in or turn on an appliance only to have the breaker trip? Are you spending more and more time at the breaker box resetting it? Unfortunately, this is more than just a major inconvenience – your family and home are at risk.
When a breaker trips, it means your home’s electrical system cannot handle the power demand placed on it. If the demand is excessive, the breaker will trip to prevent an overload, eliminating the risk of associated fires.
Over time, as the breakers continually trip, they will eventually wear out. When this happens, they will be ineffective at stopping overloads and preventing fires.
2. Increased Electricity Bills In Your Lewis County Home
If your electricity bills are consistently higher than expected, it’s another sign that your electrical panel service is outdated. Electricity is inefficiently distributed when your home is outfitted with rusted or weakened wiring. You’ll often see this reflected in higher energy costs.
3. Your Panel Has No Room For Additional Circuit Breakers
Depending on the age and size of your home, you may have a 100-amp electrical panel service. For most modern homes, this isn’t efficient. If you have central heating and cooling, your home will need a 200-amp service.
Moreover, a smaller panel leaves no room for upgrades or renovations. If you plan on adding more modern appliances or upgrading certain electrical features throughout your home, you will need to upgrade to a panel that has enough room to add additional breakers.
4. Your Chehalis, WA Home’s Lights Dim Or Flicker Often
When you turn on the vacuum or start the microwave, do your lights flicker or dim? If this happens, it’s a sign that too much electricity is coursing through one circuit. This can lead to severe problems, including electrical fires.
While you may be able to improve the situation with the addition of extra circuits, your electrician may recommend the installation of an upgraded electrical panel to ensure the utmost safety.
5. You Rely On Extension Cords In Your Lewis County Home
If you have an extension cord or multiple surge protectors in every room of your house, you probably need more outlets. However, a shortage of outlets indicates that your electrical panel cannot handle the load of adding more.
In addition, forcing the additional load by using extension cords and surge protectors could cause an overload and an electrical fire. When you upgrade your electrical panel service, your home will be able to accommodate the addition of several more outlets.
6. Your Electrical Panel Service Is Old
Another clear indication that your panel needs to be replaced is its age. Most panels are only reliable for 24 to 40 years. However, those panels exceeding 25 years may not meet current electrical safety regulations. This results in not being able to obtain proper homeowner’s insurance coverage.
You’re also more at risk for electrical shock, overloads, and electrical fires with an old panel. Getting an upgrade will bring your electrical system up to current code requirements and ensure the safety of your family and home.
7. Burning Smells And Strange Sounds Coming
From Your Electrical Panel Service
Anytime you smell burning plastic or wood in the vicinity of your electrical panel, it’s cause for alarm. It could mean the wires inside the panel are melting or burning. This can be caused by overheating or loose wiring. Regardless of the cause, it indicates your electrical system is failing and needs immediate attention.
Buzzing and humming noises coming from the panel should also be responded to quickly. They can indicate loose connections or more significant problems.
If you believe you need an electrical panel service upgrade for your Chehalis, WA home or would like more information, contact the experts at Emerge Electrical. Contact us today at (360) 771-3869 for a free quote.