How to Choose the Right Electrical Panel for Your Home
Are you looking to upgrade your home’s electrical service to support a new central AC unit or EV charger? Perhaps you’ve been told your main service panel is no longer code-compliant and needs to be replaced. Whatever the case, it all starts with finding a electrical panel replacement suited to meet your electrical needs. We’re here to help you make the right choice, ensuring safe and reliable operation for many years to come.
Understanding Electrical Panel Sizing
The main electrical panel — also called the service panel or load center — is the “brain” that operates your entire electrical system. It acts as a control center, receiving electricity from the grid and distributing it to the various circuits that power the outlets, fixtures and appliances throughout your home. Each circuit is connected to a circuit breaker designed to trip when overloaded, protecting against fire, equipment damage and other potential hazards.
Since all modern electrical panels perform these same basic functions, the most important factor to consider is size. The size of a service panel is determined by its amperage, which measures the amount of electricity it can safely supply. Panels with higher amperage ratings can support larger numbers of circuits, allowing them to power more devices and appliances at once.
To comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC), all homes must have a panel of at least 100 amps. As household electricity consumption continues to rise, however, panels rated at 150, 200 and even 400 amps have become increasingly popular. So, which of these options is best for you? It all comes down to supply and demand.
Determining Your Home’s Electrical Load
Now that we understand the importance of proper sizing, we’re left with one crucial question: how much power do you actually need? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Accurately calculating your electrical load — the total amount of energy needed to operate all of the circuits in your home — requires an in-depth evaluation that’s best left to the professionals. As such, it’s always wise to consult with a licensed and qualified electrician before making any decisions.
Nonetheless, following a few basic rules of thumb can help you determine a rough baseline for your overall power requirements. For instance, 100-amp service is often adequate for houses under 2,500 square feet with few electric appliances. A 150- or 200-amp panel is generally recommended for homes with multiple high-wattage appliances, such as electric water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers. An even higher amperage may be appropriate if you have a large home equipped with electric heating and cooling or other particularly power-hungry equipment.
In addition to your home’s total electrical load, you should also consider the ways in which you use electricity. If there’s rarely more than a single high-powered appliance running at a time, a smaller panel may be sufficient for your needs. If your family frequently uses multiple devices at once, however, a higher capacity can reduce the risk of accidentally overloading individual circuits.
Future-Proofing Your Home’s Electrical Service
When upgrading your electrical service, remember that you’re making a long-term investment. The panel you install today might meet your existing power demands, but will that still be the case a few years from now? As technologies evolve and life circumstances change, it can be difficult to anticipate your future electricity needs. With that in mind, it often makes sense to choose an electrical panel with a higher amperage rating than your system currently requires.
This ensures you’ll be able to install new appliances and more powerful equipment down the line without making further service upgrades. What’s more, larger panels offer plenty of space to accommodate new circuits. This provides tremendous flexibility and potential for expansion, allowing you to complete new additions, room conversions, large-scale renovations and other home improvement projects without worrying about overloading your system.
When To Install a New Electrical Panel
Selecting the right equipment is certainly important, but it’s even more essential to recognize when your service panel needs to be replaced. Not only are damaged, outdated or underpowered electrical panels less reliable, but they can be downright hazardous. Fortunately, there are a few key warning signs that may alert you when it’s time for an upgrade. These include:
Frequently Tripping Circuit Breakers
An occasional tripped circuit is rarely cause for alarm. If you find yourself resetting breakers with regularity, however, you’re likely demanding too much of one or more electrical circuits in your home. A new service panel can provide additional circuits to help distribute the load more evenly.
Dimming or Flickering Lights
Even if individual circuits aren’t being overloaded, you may notice dimming lights when your electrical panel is nearing its maximum capacity. This commonly occurs when refrigerators, air conditioners and other high-draw appliances turn on, causing temporary spikes in your home’s electrical load.
Damage or Overheating
It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your service panel for corrosion, scorching or any other signs of damage, especially if the equipment is over 10 years old. In addition, check to ensure the panel isn’t overheating. While slight warmth isn’t unusual, a panel that feels hot to the touch may have a serious problem.
Worrying Sounds or Smells
Is your electrical panel producing noticeable buzzing, sizzling or popping noises? Do you smell hot, acrid or strangely fishy odors coming from inside the unit? These are huge red flags that may indicate a short circuit or overheating components, which may be dangerous without prompt attention.
If you’re considering an electrical panel upgrade for your home when rewiring, the pros at Mister Sparky can help. We leave nothing to chance, providing detailed inspections, honest recommendations and expert installation services. To get started, schedule a free consultation today and see how we deliver lasting peace of mind.