Your electrical panel has a very important role to play inside of your home. It affects energy efficiency and even the overall working ability of appliances and technology inside your home. If you have an older home or any of the signs listed below, it is time to upgrade your electrical panel and prioritize safety and security.
You need an electrician in Kenner, LA, and our team is here to help. We can assess your current electrical panel and offer your options for upgrading. Many older panels need to be completely overhauled, but if your electrical panel is relatively new we may still be able to make some smaller upgrades that make your home better and more efficient. You can keep reading to learn more about the signs that it is time to upgrade your home’s electrical panel.
Home Age
The age of your home is one of the biggest indications that your electrical panel needs an upgrade. This is especially true if your electrical panel is original to your home. Homes that are 40 years or older are most likely to be in need of updated wiring.
If you’re not sure whether or not this is a need for your home, you can give our team a call to schedule an in-home assessment. We can take a look at your electrical panel and talk to you about your options for upgrading or replacing your entire electrical panel.
Fuses Vs. Breakers
Maybe you aren’t sure how old the electrical panel is in your home. In that case you need to look for other signs that can help estimate your electrical panel age. If your electrical panel has fuses instead of circuits, that’s a major red flag.
The fuses are a very outdated method and need to be upgraded to a panel that uses circuits instead. In addition to being a safety risk for your home, a fuse box is less likely to be able to provide enough energy to power your needs when it comes to plugging in a variety of things around your home.
Outlets
Pay attention to how many outlets you have in your home. Older houses have far fewer outlets. Now there are laws in place that require a certain number of outlets based on the space in a room. This ensures that you have an outlet within reach for anything you might want to plug in.
Decades ago, we didn’t need to plug in computers, cell phones, and other technology items or appliances. As a result, there were far fewer outlets in homes. Plugging in today’s technology to an older electrical panel may demand more power than the panel can safely provide.
Visible Rust or Damage
No matter how old or new your electrical panel is, pay attention to signs of rust or damage. We all know that water and electricity don’t mix. Rust on your electrical panel also indicates the presence of moisture, which can be very dangerous for your electrical panel.
Damage is also a concern if there are visible signs of damage on the outside of your electrical box or even around outlets in your home. Visible damage is a red flag that there may also be damage where you cannot see it. It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with our team to check out your electrical panel, and see if it needs to be repaired or upgraded.
Natal’s Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical. Service Honoring the Golden Rule. Schedule an appointment today for electrical service with our team of experts.