Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Upgrade
Signs You Need a Service Panel Upgrade in Mount Holly, NJ
If you’re like most homeowners, you haven’t put a lot of thought into your home’s electrical panel. In many older homes, however, the electrical panel can wear out and need to be replaced just like a household appliance. If your electrical panel is showing signs of needing to be replaced, then it’s time to get a new panel that can upgrade the efficiency of your home and bring it into the 21st century.
Unlike a household appliance, most electrical service panels don’t simply break down and stop working. Instead, they experience a slow decline over several months before finally not working all together. During this time, a home can experience a number of issues relating to the electrical wiring. If your home has been experiencing any of the following, you need to call an electrician.
- Flickering lights
- Unusual sounds coming from fuse box/electrical panel
- Breakers constantly tripping
- Smoke coming from outlets, or outlets emitting a burning smell
It’s also important to note that if you have appliances that won’t work without turning off other appliances, or if you have new high-efficiency appliances that won’t work, there’s a good chance that your electrical panel needed to be replaced. In many cases, problems such as smoking outlets and tripping breakers are more than just a nuisance. They are safety hazards that can cause an electrical fire or another disaster. If you’re experiencing these problems, calling an electrician must become your highest priority.
Piece of Mind
Even if your current service panel doesn’t pose an immediate danger, it’s probably a good idea to replace it before it does become a safety issue. Fortunately, there are a lot of advantages to having a new service panel installed. Besides the peace of mind that a new panel provides, being able to tell potential buyers that they won’t have to worry about this repair for years can add a lot to the value of your home.
Steady Flow
A new electrical panel ensures that your home has a steady flow of electricity. Not only can that eliminate problems with flickering lights and brown-outs, but it can also allow you to add appliances and other electronics without worrying about tripping breakers, blowing fuses, or damaging the appliances. A steady flow of electricity will ensure that your appliances, electronics, and light fixtures are less prone to power surges. This can add years of life to these devices. A new electrical panel can also ensure that your devices run continuously without fear of causing a fire or other home disaster.
Saving Money and Energy in Southern New Jersey
Of course, a new electrical panel is almost always required if you’re renovating or putting an addition onto your home. Replacing your panel now could mean saving money in the future if you decide to start a construction project. If you’re contemplating a construction project in the near future, ask your electrician about adding a sub panel for the additional rooms. These panels are almost always required when the electrical load of the home is increased. Remember that this can occur as a result of additional appliances, electronics, and/or increased load on appliances such as an air conditioner or hot water heater.
As you renovate your home, a new service panel can bring you more than just safety and steady electricity. Appliances that require a 240V circuit will almost always require an electrical panel upgrade. While these types of appliances used to be rare, today many clothes dryers, water heaters, and even cars require this type of circuit.
More Outlets
A new electrical panel can also allow you to increase the number of outlets available in your home. Bathrooms and kitchens can have GFCI outlets installed, making them much safer and in many states, compliant with local building codes. Grounded outlets can be installed for safer electrical performance. These are particularly important if you use appliances, electronics, or power tools outside.
Reduce Your Insurance Bill
Finally, a new electrical panel can help to reduce your homeowner’s insurance bill. An electrical panel that is compliant with local building codes and safety standards often mean that homeowners can qualify for a discount or reduce their overall risk, thereby lowering their annual bill.
Why Choose Raynor for a Service Panel Upgrade in Mount Holly
If you’re having problems with the lighting, outlets, or appliances in your southern New Jersey home, it’s best to call Raynor Services before the problem worsens. A service panel upgrade is a good idea, not only from a safety perspective but also because of today’s electronics. Many appliances, such as washers and dryers and air conditioners, demand much more power than their predecessors did. The average older home simply wasn’t designed to handle that much demand.
To keep your Southern New Jersey home safe and up to date, call Raynor Services today!
