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In a previous post, we took you inside and toured the anatomy of your home’s main electrical panel. This nifty devices controls the power distribution and electricity in your home. 

Upgrading electrical panel is not something we would ever recommend doing yourself. It’s risky and technical so hiring an electrician is the best way to go. 

Do You Still Have a Fuse Box?

Homes older than the 1960’s operated on fuse boxes instead of circuit breakers. Fuses burn out and have to be replaced, but circuit breakers just need to be switched back on. For safety and convenience, we would recommend upgrading your fuse box to a circuit breaker. 

How Old is your Home?

Homes that are 20 or 30 years old, typically have lower amperage capacity in their electrical panels. Most homes of this vintage support 60 or 100 amps versus today’s electrical panels which support an average of 200 amps which is more suitable for current lifestyles. 

Does your Panel Feel Warm?

A panel that feels warm to the touch may be overloaded and could use an upgrade. Ask your electrician for an expert opinion. 

Does your Panel Trip Often?

If your panel trips often or you hear a crackling noise, this typically means that you have more appliances or devices plugged into a circuit than it can support. This usually means it’s time for an upgrade. If your appliances are not running at capacity this could also be a sign that panels are outdated or overloaded. 

Are You Looking to Make Upgrades?

If you’re planning to upgrade your appliances, you may want to check if your current electrical panel can support them. If you find yourself using power strips a lot, you may want to add new outlets to your home. In this case, you will also want to consult your electrician if your panel is due for an upgrade. 

Upgrading Electrical Panel Cost

Electrical projects are not usually suitable even for the savviest of DIY-ers. You should hire an electrician to do this kind of work. 

The cost of upgrading electrical panel, like any contracting project, will vary. This typically depends on the current state of the panel, the age of the home and how many panels require upgrading. According to HomeGuide, the average cost typically ranges between $850 to $3,000. Permits for this kind of project is a requirement. At Wire Craft, we can take care of this for you, but it will be a component of the overall cost of the upgrade.

It’s another new year, which means it’s a perfect time to check up on your electrical systems for any potential issues and hazards. Today, we are going to discuss why electrical outlets need updating, and when you should seriously consider having this done.

Why you should update electrical outlets?

Much of the electrical system is found behind walls and ceilings, rendering them virtually invisible to people inside the home. When electrical malfunction strikes, you may find yourself scratching your head and wondering what the culprit is.

Perhaps the biggest reason why you should update electrical outlets is safety. When you replace old wires and outlets with brand new and industry-approved products, you minimize the risk of electricity-related hazards, such as fires and electrocution.

How do I know if my electrical outlets need an update?

The good thing is that you can look at telltale signs that your electrical outlets need to be updated. Do you experience any of these in your home? If so, it may be time for a visit from a professional electrician.

Frequent tripping of circuit breaker

When you observe that a circuit breaker trips frequently, it might be time for an update. The trip may be caused by power overload, when your wires and receptacles cannot handle the electricity requirement of your appliances.

Flickering of lights when turning on other appliances

This may look like a normal occurrence, but flickering or dimming of lights when you turn on another appliance could be a sign that you need an update. The fact that your lights are acting out may signify that your electrical system cannot handle your current load requirement

Age of the house

If you’re staying in a home that’s more than 30 years old, it’s highly unlikely for its electrical system to be up to date with the load requirement of today’s appliances. On top of this, the circuit breakers may have already become corroded or malfunctioned, and it may not trip in some cases

Plans to remodel or renovate the house

Most home remodeling projects involve an increase in space or a tech upgrade. In both cases, your electrical outlets and the entire system might not be able to handle the new home setup. We wrote about electrical issues that you could come across when remodeling your home last week, so be sure to reference this as well. It’s important to remember that you need to have your electrical system checked, in accordance with the house upgrade.

No matter how big or small the electrical issue is, you need to consult with professionals. This is to make sure that your electrical system is perfectly safe. Feel free to reach out to us at Wire Craft for a quick consult to start the new year. It’s time to consider to update electrical outlets.

Many of us know the basics to increasing the value of our homes. Electrical upgrades to the kitchen, bathroom and even the basement yield high valued investments. De-cluttering and a fresh coat of paint offer simple, cost-effective improvements with good return as well. While these value-laden upgrades remain the mantra of increased home worth, the electrical components of your home prove well worth considering in regard to value. Some of these updates will come with kitchen and bathroom spruce ups. However, several others offer value on their own.

Check out these 6 electrical upgrades to increase your Seattle home’s value.