Many businesses still call older buildings home, and those buildings are showing their age in an unexpected way. The wiring in those structures was not designed for today’s electrical needs.
While many appliances and electronics have become very energy-efficient, many others have only increased the number of watts they need to function. And overall, people are using more electronic gadgets than ever before.
Be it a new electric kettle that requires 1,800 watts in the office kitchen or an array of USB charging ports that are always in use, electrical demand is higher than ever. That can place a lot of strain on buildings with older wiring that was never updated.
Systems can fail as circuit breakers trip. Business delays can occur as people have to wait their turn to use a particular piece of equipment when the electrical system is at its limit.
Your business can’t go on like that.You need adequate power to run your business efficiently. If you’re located in an older building with older wiring, look into electrical upgrades to protect your operations and support your growth. \
If you’re still not sure whether an upgrade is warranted, take a look at these 10 signs your business need to upgrade its electrical system.
Quick Takeaways
- If your circuit breakers are tripping frequently, that’s a sign the electrical system is overloaded.
- Older circuit breaker panels might not support current and future electrical demands.
- Electrical upgrades also improve safety and reliability, along with increasing energy efficiency.
- Miami’s heat, humidity and frequent storms create additional strain on electrical systems.
- Not upgrading increases risk over time of fires, equipment damage and additional downtime for your business.
- A commercial electrical upgrade can help keep your older building code-compliant.
1. Your Breakers Trip Constantly
Each switch in a circuit breaker panel controls one circuit. A circuit is a grouping of outlets that share a specific amount of power, usually either 15 amps or 20 amps. When you plug in items that attempt to draw more than that upper limit, the circuit’s wiring can become hot and create a fire risk. The circuit breaker switch flips off, or “trips,” in order to prevent the circuit from overheating.
If you’ve had to reset breaker switches more than once in the past few weeks, that’s a huge sign that your electrical system is inadequate. The demand for power will only increase as more tasks demand electrical appliances such as:
- HVAC systems
- Commercial kitchen equipment
- Computers, servers and printers
- Building security systems
- EV chargers
2. Your Building Still Uses Outdated Electrical Panels
If it’s been several years since the electrical panel in the building was updated, you need to look into upgrading as soon as possible. Aging breaker panels may be on the verge of failure simply due to how old they are.
If the building still has fuse boxes, that’s an immediate concern as those (and older circuit breakers) have limited capacity. They really can’t support modern technology and may be so old that they constitute a safety hazard themselves.
3. Your Lights Flicker or Power Fluctuates
Another sign you need to upgrade your building’s wiring is that the lights keep flickering. This (and other fluctuations in power) indicates that there are voltage inconsistencies.
These could be due to loose connections or strained/overloaded circuits. These can have an impact on sensitive equipment and create distractions as the brightness of the lights suddenly changes.
4. Your Business Is Expanding
Even if the electrical system appears to be handling everything well now, an upgrade is still a good idea if you plan to expand. More employees, new workstations, more equipment, new room additions and more can all increase the demand for power.
This growth and increased demand can quickly grow beyond your expectations. For that reason alone, you’d want to upgrade your electrical panel.
5. Your Energy Bills Keep Rising
An unexpected sign of an electrical system in need of an upgrade is that your electric bills keep increasing. This is beyond any rate increases or obvious additional demands, like adding new workstations. The bills just won’t stop getting higher and higher.
This occurs due to older electrical systems becoming less efficient as they age. The strain on outdated wiring can contribute to the problem as well. Upgrading helps restore the system to maximum efficiency.
6. Your Electrical System Shows Signs of Wear
Have you noticed any of the following in the building:
- Warm outlets
- Buzzing panels
- Burning smells
- Wiring corrosion
- Other damage to wiring
Those are all indications that your current electrical system is in trouble. You need to have the system inspected and upgraded quickly.
7. Your Business Depends on Constant Power
One of the risks of using an outdated electrical panel with an inadequate power supply is business downtime. If your business relies on having power constantly available, you need to upgrade. This includes:
- Restaurants
- Offices
- Retail stores
- Medical facilities
- Warehouses
- Gyms and other fitness facilities
8. Your Building Struggles During Miami Storm Season
Miami’s climate isn’t that friendly to electrical systems and wiring. The heat and humidity, especially during storm season, can increase the risk of damage and strain to the system.
Older wiring can also suffer from surge damage and corrosion due to salty air. The increased air conditioner demand doesn’t help. All of this takes a toll on the aging infrastructure in Miami, which in turn affects your building.
9. Your Electrical System Is No Longer Code-Compliant
The National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated frequently; every three years, to be exact. The older your building is, and the longer it’s been since the wiring was updated, the greater the chance that your building will fall out of compliance with the current NEC. Upgrading now brings your building back into compliance.
10. You Rely on Extension Cords and Power Strips Everywhere
Even if you think the power provided on each circuit is adequate, you really should upgrade if you don’t have enough outlets for everything.
If you’re constantly using extension cords or have power strips all over the place, have the wiring upgraded. Electricians can add new outlets wherever you need them.
Why Upgrading Your Commercial Electrical System Matters
Upgrading your commercial electrical system is about more than just getting a shiny new circuit breaker panel. New circuits and wiring improves safety and offers much better reliability than an older, fading system.
You reduce the number of hours of possible downtime, and a new panel can offer excellent support should you decide to grow your business. Upgrades also lower your potential long-term repair costs because all that older wiring will no longer be a concern.
FAQ
How do I know if my business needs an electrical upgrade?
If your electrical panel is many years old, or if your building still uses fuse boxes, then an upgrade is in order. If you’ve noticed flickering lights, buzzing sounds or burning smells, frequent breaker switch trips or warm outlets, have the system upgraded immediately.
How long do commercial electrical systems last?
Commercial electrical systems are fairly hardy and can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years. But that means that your building’s system could begin to develop issues at any time during that large range of years.
Can an outdated electrical system increase business risks?
Outdated commercial electrical systems can increase risks to businesses ranging from fires to closed operations. They can also limit the amount of expansion a business can undertake.
Will an electrical upgrade improve energy efficiency?
Newer electrical panels are much more energy-efficient than older panels. They’re in better shape, of course. The newer wiring is better at carrying electricity than an older, failing wire. Technological improvements over time also help increase energy efficiency.
What businesses need electrical upgrades most?
Any business that has an older system that hasn’t been upgraded in several years is a candidate. Businesses that need a constant, uninterrupted supply of power (medical buildings, restaurants and so on) also need electrical upgrades. Finally, those businesses that are planning big expansions need to upgrade now to ensure they have enough power.
How often should commercial electrical systems be inspected?
Commercial electrical systems need to be inspected at least once every five years. Every three years is preferable. This allows you to catch damage and potential code violations quickly.
Upgrade Your Business Electrical System Before Problems Shut You Down
When you upgrade your commercial electrical system, you make your business a lot safer to be in. You also no longer have to worry if you’ve overloaded a circuit that’s going to trip and cut off power. Newer wiring and panels help protect your business’s power supply against Miami’s difficult weather conditions.
Don’t let your business be at the whim of your building’s aging electrical system. Contact Mr. Sparky in Miami, FL, to keep the lights on and the air conditioner humming.
We can install new wiring and panels, add subpanels and inspect systems to find the cause of any problems you’ve been having. We’re Miami’s on-time electrician and are here to help you. Call us now to discuss services!