While the electrical panel in your home may often be overlooked and underappreciated, it actually plays a pivotal role in your home’s comfort and safety. This gray or white panel brings electricity into your home and routes the currents to where they are needed most. It’s important to note that your electrical panel is sensitive to upgrades in technology, and it can quickly become outdated if you add devices or appliances throughout your house, especially if you have an older home.
Your breaker should be capable of supporting all of the modern electrical needs of your house and keeping the capacity of each wall outlet in your home at a safe level of electricity. If you have made recent upgrades to your home’s electrical usage or you fear that your breaker is in need of an upgrade, here are some common indicators that it’s time for a new electrical panel.
- You live in an older home. While more and more homeowners today appreciate the cozy “retro” vibes of older homes, they often come with an outdated electrical panel. This is especially true if you have remodeled and upgraded your older home to incorporate more modern appliances, lighting, and fixtures.
- You constantly trip your breaker. If you’ve become accustomed to shouting for your spouse to flip the circuit breaker because you’ve tripped it – again – then it’s time to consider upgrading your electrical panel to one that better meets your home’s demands.
- Your electrical panel uses fuses rather than circuit breakers. If your home was built prior to 1970, there’s a good chance it utilizes a fuse-based electrical system. While fuses and circuits essentially perform the same function, fuses will not trip when they are overloaded – rather, they will melt, blow, or short-circuit your electrical system. This can be not only expensive to repair, but a major fire hazard as well.
- Your lights flicker. If your lights begin to flicker, especially when using a certain appliance in your house, this is a clear warning sign that your circuit breaker is being overloaded and isn’t able to properly direct electrical currents safely.
- You notice a black spot or burnt smell on or near your breaker box. If your home has fuses, this could indicate that one has blown. As mentioned above in #3, this could be a dangerous fire hazard, so contact your local electrical technician right away to have them diagnose the cause.
While it may be tempting to try and replace your electrical panel yourself, we never recommend DIY-ing electrical work. Hiring a licensed and trained technician will ensure that your repairs or installation are performed safely and accurately. Faulty installation could lead to personal injury such as electrocution, or damage to your home. Either way, it will probably end up costing you more in repairs down the road.
If any of the above issues sound familiar, don’t worry! The experienced electricians at Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical can provide you with professional panel and circuit breaker services fast! Just give our team a call at (480) 550-9943 or schedule your appointment online!
Schedule Circuit Breaker Repair & Replacement in Phoenix
It’s recommended that you have your electrical panel inspected every five years to ensure safe and efficient operation. At Penguin Air, we are committed to providing quality services that will leave you 100% satisfied. That’s why, when you schedule services with us, you can expect the following:
- 24-hour emergency service backed by a 100% money-back guarantee
- Unmatched customer service
- Upfront, honest pricing
- Flexible finance options to suit your budget
Call our friendly team today at (480) 550-9943 to schedule the highest quality electrical panel inspection, repair, or replacement services in the region. You can also conveniently schedule your appointment online!