Electricity is one of those things a lot of us take for granted in the modern world, and when things start going wrong, it can be a bit overwhelming. In a lot of cases, persistent issues can be caused by an outdated electrical panel.
We’re going to go over eight common issues that are signs you need an electrical panel upgrade to keep the lights on.
1. Flickering and Dimming Lights
Like our guide’s title suggests, flickering lights are one of the earliest signs that you need an electrical panel upgrade.
If you turn on the lights and then start using an appliance, and you notice your lights flicker or dim a bit, that’s because your electrical panel isn’t able to distribute electricity properly for each connection. It is overloaded.
If it’s just one light that happens to be acting up, you can change the bulb or see if it’s loose in its fixture. However, if lights are doing it around an entire portion of the home, there’s likely a panel issue.
2. You’re Using Outdated Fuse Boxes
Fuse boxes are old school, and while they still get the job done in a lot of older homes, it’s best to replace them with modern circuit breakers as soon as possible. These breakers are a lot safer and more efficient.
While it can seem like a significant expense, it’s a great upgrade that enhances your everyday life. Also, if you decide to sell the home, it can be a good feature to highlight, especially if you’re in an area where the competing listings are also older with outdated electrical components.
3. You’re Plugging Power Strips in Frequently to Meet Your Needs
Power strips are fine, and we all need them occasionally. However, you shouldn’t need them all over your home.
This doesn’t mean that your electrical system is damaged or anything, but it does show that it can’t meet your electrical needs. This is common with homes that use old fuse boxes and have fewer outlets.
Modern homes rely on technology more than in the past, which requires a lot more electrical energy. If your home isn’t able to keep up with your needs, upgrading your electrical panel is a must-do.
Not to mention, using lots of power strips isn’t very safe. They’re more prone to having electrical problems. So, upgrading the electrical panel is also a safety measure.
4. Buzzing Sounds
If you can hear your electrical panel or outlets humming, it’s a clear sign you need an electrical panel upgrade. The electrical load is not being handled well, and it’s a hazard.
Don’t expect this to be loud buzzing, either. Listen closely to see if you can hear anything while you’re next to the outlet or panel. Even more subtle buzzing sounds are problematic, and you need to get the panel upgraded to fix it.
5. You Smell Something Burning
If you smell something burning around your panel or an outlet, you need to immediately turn everything off and call a professional electrician.
That smell is your electrical system being so overloaded that it is burning up, and it can catch your home on fire.
Unfortunately, there’s no time to waste. Once you smell burning around the electrical system, you could be minutes away from an electrical fire starting, and you have an immediate emergency on your hands.
Luckily, if you catch one of the other warning signs on this list before this happens, you typically have plenty of time to get a quote, save up, and have the repair handled. As long as you start the process, of course.
This is usually an avoidable situation if you know what to look for and take it seriously.
6. You’ve Installed New Major Appliances
Sometimes, you’ll have zero issues with your home’s electrical system, and then you get a new appliance that uses a lot of electricity. Suddenly, you’ll start noticing other issues on this list.
That means your home’s electrical system simply isn’t robust enough to handle bigger, more energy-consuming appliances.
You have to keep up with the times and boost your home’s electrical capacity. You can’t just let everything be outdated and hope for the best. Higher electricity needs are a clear sign that you need an electrical panel upgrade.
7. You Keep Blowing Circuits
Circuits are designed to blow. It’s a good thing, as it closes the breaker and stops the current before any damage can be done to your electronics or your home.
However, if you’re having circuits break regularly, it’s a sign of an outdated electrical panel that isn’t keeping up with your electrical needs. Your appliances consume too much electricity for your panel to handle, and you’re overloading it.
Most likely, life has required you to rely on more electronics, and now you’ve outgrown your current panel’s capabilities. A simple upgrade will fix that.
8. You’re Selling the Home
If you’re getting ready to sell the home, you’re likely doing major renovations to maximize its value. One of the best things you can do is upgrade the electrical panel, especially if your current panel is outdated.
You’re already spending money on other features. By spending a little more, you can offer a fully modernized electrical panel that shows buyers they won’t have to worry about making those upgrades in the future. It’s also an easy thing to get done. While roofing and whole-room renovations can take weeks, updating a residential electrical system is a short process.
Even if you’re not selling the home, but you’re renovating it for your own enjoyment, it’s a good time to tackle an electrical panel upgrade to make sure your home’s electrical capabilities are just as up to date as all its other new features.
This will also help prevent issues with outgrowing your panel’s capabilities when you add new appliances during the renovation.
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel in Metro Detroit
If you’ve noticed flickering lights, buzzing outlets, frequent blown circuits, or rely on outdated fuse boxes, these are clear signs you need an electrical panel upgrade. An outdated panel can’t safely handle today’s electrical demands, especially with modern appliances.
Ignoring the warning signs could put your home at risk. Upgrading ensures safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.
If you’re in Metro Detroit and have noticed any of these eight warning signs, you can rely on the professionals at M&M Electric. We will handle your electrical system upgrade to make your home suitable for your growing electrical needs.
When you decide to get an electrical panel upgrade in Metro Detroit, call us to get a quote and start upgrading your electric panel.