You are blow-drying your hair and your spouse is watching a show when suddenly the power in the house goes out. Your spouse goes out to reset the circuit breakers but you can’t shake the feeling that something is off. That is the third time this type of problem has occurred this month. At this point, you are wondering if you’re doing something wrong?
In short, no you aren’t. But this doesn’t mean that those electrical issues are something you should just deal with. The truth is that problems like these are usually an indicator of an electrical panel that is in dire need of an upgrade.
Why Your Electrical Panel Is Important
Not so long ago, homes were outfitted with fuse boxes. Whenever there was a power surge or electrical issue, the affected fuse would burn out and need to be replaced. Thankfully, we’ve graduated from fuse boxes to electrical panels. Not only do electrical panels save you cash (no more having to replace fuses whenever there is an issue) but they also remove the fire risks that fuse boxes sometimes presented.
Your electrical panel is meant to protect your home’s electrical systems and appliances from issues like power surges or shorts that might otherwise cause damage. Instead of excess electricity flooding your home, your electrical panel is able to handle the extra energy by flipping a circuit.
When Do You Need to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
So if you already have an electrical panel rather than a fuse box, you should be good to go right? No necessarily. Circuit breakers have been around for a while and in some cases they aren’t equipped to handle the larger demand for electricity that many homes now have.
So, how do you know it is time to call in an electrician in Ashland, KY to upgrade your electrical panel? Watch out for these warning signs from your electrical system and appliances:
- The panel is 20+ years old: Our electricity demands 10 to 20years ago were vastly different than they are today. A panel installed back then may not be able to handle the electrical demands your home has now, especially if your home is now trying to keep up with multiple computers at the moment.
- Frequent circuit trips: When there is a power surge to your home, your circuit breakers will trip. This shouldn’t happen often as it indicates the circuits can’t accommodate your electricity needs. If it is happening weekly or even daily it means you have an electrical panel in need of an upgrade.
- Flickering lights: Have you noticed that the lights around the house flicker or dim when you plug other appliances in? Or perhaps they struggle even without any extra demand. This is a likely sign that your electrical panel is struggling too. Your circuits are getting overloaded and that is no good. An upgrade can help to address this.
Need a professional to help with your electrical systems? That’s what the team at Air Supreme Heating and Air Conditioning is here for!
We are Your HVAC experts in Flatwoods, KY. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.