When Should You Start Considering an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

An electrical panel change comes with a host of benefits—among them reduced energy costs and a safer home. Upgrading your electrical capacity can double—or even triple—the power supply to your appliances. How long will it take before the savings roll in? It depends on how much you save each month from lower power bills, but with luck, you may notice an immediate difference in household expenses by upgrading your service panel now.

The original home electrical panel is like the human heart—it controls the entire power system. Likewise, just as our brain sends messages to every part of the body, the panel manages where electricity flows. Like the brain, it is also quite small. Over time, however, these systems start to show their age.

Another home improvement project that requires permits and training is this one—especially if homeowners attempt to do it themselves. Without employing professionals, they risk both safety and costly errors.

Your electrical service location also requires the same upgrade, or your home will not be up to code.

But like any other part of your home, its life has an end. Signs of that? Flickering lights and tripped breakers. Your panel may need an upgrade—especially if you’re planning to renovate soon.

In this blog post, we’ll look at the signs it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, what happens if you ignore those warnings, and how High Output Electric can help protect your home and family from poor workmanship through expert panel upgrades and whole-home rewiring.

What Matters Electrically in Your Home

Electrical panels—whether called service panels or breaker boxes—deliver electricity from the utility’s trunkline (usually an overhead wire) into circuits around your house. If one overloaded circuit trips, power to a dozen or more lights might still work just fine. But with every added computer or signal system, the number of circuits increases, making it easier to overload them.

The electrical panel handles this hazard instinctively. Whenever a circuit’s current exceeds its upper limit—for instance, when you turn on the air conditioner—the corresponding breaker shuts down, cutting power to everything on that line.

Older homes were built to handle far fewer electrical tasks than we require today. As technology evolves and homes fill with power-hungry equipment, your panel may no longer be up to the task. When it can’t keep up, it becomes a major safety hazard.

1. If Your Home Is More Than 20–30 Years Old

If your home was built before the 1990s and you’ve never upgraded the panel, it’s probably time.

Older homes were often built with 60 or 100-amp panels, while today’s homes typically need a minimum of 200 amps to power air-conditioning systems, high-efficiency well pumps, electric water heaters, and an army of kitchen gadgets.

Still using an old panel? You’d be wise to upgrade sooner rather than later.

Outdated panels may lead to:

• Overloaded circuits

• Inconsistent power supply

• Higher risk of electrical fires

Insurance companies might also deny claims related to damage caused by overloaded or outdated panels. In fact, some won’t offer coverage at all until a proper upgrade is made. If you’re unsure about your panel’s size or condition, book a High Output Electric home inspection to find out.

2. Breakers Are Constantly Tripping

When a circuit carries too much electricity, the breaker trips. It’s a built-in safety device. But if this happens frequently, your panel isn’t handling the load anymore.

Constant tripping means:

• Circuits are overloaded

• Your panel is outdated

• Your home now needs more amperage

Instead of resetting the breaker every time it trips, have your panel inspected. It might be time for a long-term solution with more circuits or higher current capacity.

3. You Are Adding New Appliances or Home Additions

Installing a spa? A second oven? An EV charger? Building a home addition?

These upgrades all demand more power.

Before installation, make sure:

• Your panel has space for additional breakers

• The amperage is sufficient for your new electrical load

Avoid potential blackouts—or worse, damage to your home’s electrical system.

At High Output Electric, we specialize in electrical panel upgrades that are future-proof and fully code-compliant. We’ll evaluate your current panel and recommend a safe upgrade to match your expanding electrical needs.

4. Your Home Uses a Fuse Box Instead of Circuit Breakers

Before circuit breakers became standard, homes were equipped with fuse boxes. Today, those systems are considered outdated—and in some cases, unsafe.

If your home still has:

• A fuse box instead of a modern breaker panel

• Round, screw-in fuses

• Evidence of double-tapping (multiple wires on one fuse)

…it’s time to upgrade.

Fuse boxes simply weren’t built for today’s power demands. They’re more likely to overheat and fail under modern loads.

5. Lights Flicker or Outlets Buzz

If your lights flicker when the AC kicks on—or if outlets feel warm or emit a low buzzing sound—something’s not right.

This may indicate:

• Your panel is overloaded

• Wires inside the panel are damaged or loose

• The panel is malfunctioning or at full capacity

Each of these is a red flag that your electrical system isn’t delivering power efficiently—or safely. It’s time to upgrade.

6. Burn Marks, Odors, or Humming

If you notice scorch marks near your panel, a burning odor, or hear a constant buzzing sound—shut off your power and call an electrician immediately.

These symptoms often mean:

• Arcing within the panel

• Deteriorated insulation

• Imminent fire risk

Do not attempt to open or fix the panel yourself. High Output Electric’s certified electricians will assess the issue and recommend the safest next step—whether that’s a repair or full replacement.

7. Your Insurance or Home Inspector Recommends It

Many home insurance companies won’t issue or renew policies unless the panel is up to date. This is especially true if your system includes:

• Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels

• Aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring

• Known fire hazard components

If you’re buying or selling a home, a panel upgrade might also be recommended by the home inspector to meet code and safety requirements—and boost resale value.

8. You Want to Boost Home Value and Energy Efficiency

An upgraded panel improves more than just safety—it increases the resale value of your home.

Today’s homeowners want properties equipped for:

• Smart technology

• EV chargers

• Solar panel integration

• Energy efficiency upgrades

With a modern panel and proper wiring, you’ll be able to run all your devices—and save money on power over time.

This investment pays off in comfort, convenience, and property value.

Services That Support Your Upgrade

At High Output Electric, we don’t just install electrical panels—we deliver peace of mind. Our licensed, bonded, and insured team specializes in residential and commercial electrical systems with high attention to detail and safety.

Here are two of our most-requested services:

1. Electrical Panel Upgrades

Our complete panel upgrade services include:

• 100 to 200-amp panel replacements

• Surge protector and subpanel installation

• Code-compliant breaker labeling

• Load capacity analysis

• Permit coordination and inspection prep

We manage the process from start to finish, ensuring your system is modern, reliable, and built to last.

 2. Whole-Home Rewiring

Sometimes, the panel isn’t the only issue—especially in older homes with:

• Outdated or damaged wiring

• Knob-and-tube systems

• Aluminum wiring

Our rewiring services bring your home up to code and ensure compatibility with modern tech and energy-efficient systems.

Whether it’s partial or full-house rewiring, we’ll create a custom solution for long-term safety and performance.

Why Choose High Output Electric?

Choosing an electrician isn’t just about getting the job done—it’s about trust, craftsmanship, and long-term peace of mind.

Homeowners across Southern Utah choose us because:

• ✅ Decades of residential and commercial experience

• ✅ Free consultations and transparent pricing

• ✅ Licensed, insured, and respectful technicians

• ✅ Clean, efficient, and timely work

• ✅ Friendly communication and thorough documentation

We treat your home like it’s our own.

Ready for a New Electrical Panel?

High Output Electric is ready to support your electrical panel upgrade—whether you're planning renovations, installing new appliances, or simply improving your home’s safety.

📞 Call us today or fill out our contact form to get started.

Let’s bring your home’s electrical system up to modern standards—safe, efficient, and reliable for the next generation.