Along with the freedom and benefits of owning a home comes plenty of responsibility. You’re in charge of all maintenance and safety precautions of the home, such as a properly functioning electrical system. An old or overloaded electrical panel can malfunction and lead to an accidental fire, electric shock, or electrocution in the home, and it’s not uncommon. Here are four reasons to consider an electrical panel upgrade.
FPE Panels
From the 1950s to the 1980s, Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) Stab-Lok electrical panels were extremely popular in homes across the United States. But over the last few decades, these panels have proven defective, causing extensive damage to electrical systems and even fires in the home. If your home’s main electrical panel is an FPE Stab-Lok box, you should have a professional inspect your electrical system.
City and Code Compliance
Stafford Home Service Inc. provides electrical certification services for potential homebuyers and current homeowners alike. Before ownership can be transferred, a home’s electrical system, including the electrical panel, must meet the National Electric Code (NEC) or city requirements. If you’re house-hunting, trust the professionals at Stafford Home Service Inc. to make sure your potential future home is safe and up to code.
For current homeowners, maintaining code requirements helps prevent accidental electric shock, electrocution, fire, or damage to your home’s wiring or fixtures. Stafford Home Service Inc. can provide system upgrades, including new electrical panels, to maintain your home’s safety and city and code compliance.
Outdated Electrical System
It’s no shocker that homes use much more electricity today than they did in the ‘80s or ‘90s. Typically, panels in older homes top out around 60 to 100 amps. But with all the high-definition TVs, computers, and smart appliances, homes today require around 200 amps.
If your appliances aren’t running at full capacity, your electrical panel is hot to the touch, or your circuit breakers trip frequently, your system may be overloaded. An overloaded panel won’t supply enough electricity to support the load of your home, so it needs to be updated.
Home Additions or Major Appliance Upgrades
If you’re making home additions or updating major appliances, consider an electrical panel upgrade. Even if you haven’t noticed signs of an overloaded panel thus far, adding or upgrading energy-consuming systems and devices could be enough to cause trouble. Similarly, if you need extra wall outlets in your home and are using a lot of power strips, you may need to consider a panel upgrade to support your energy usage. Whether your home is new or old, a properly functioning electrical panel is a must for safety and peace of mind. Contact us today to learn more about an electrical panel upgrade or our other residential electrical services.
