Electrical panels last for 20 to 40 years. Old and outdated panels increase the risks of trouble like electrical fires and tripped breakers. However, there are pros and cons to replacing the breaker box in your home. Let’s examine both to help you decide if and when to upgrade it.
The Pros of Electrical Panel Upgrades
Replacing your breaker box with a brand-new one offers numerous appealing benefits. For example, it enhances your home’s safety. Older panels typically struggle to handle the electrical loads of modern devices and appliances, putting anything plugged into your electrical system at risk of overheating.
New panels are more reliable and less likely to damage electrical fixtures. You also minimize the risk of sparks flying out of your outlets or shocking yourself when you plug in an electrical cord.
Further, new panels better support modern technology. They are more effective at charging high-efficiency appliances, electric vehicles, smart home systems and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Additionally, a new electrical panel adds value to your home. It makes your home more attractive to prospective buyers if you decide to list your home for sale. They will have the satisfaction of knowing the new breaker box meets current electrical codes.
The Cons of Electrical Panel Upgrades
Even with these advantages, upgrading your panel does have some downsides. Primarily, it can cost a substantial amount of money to install a new breaker box.
The price of upgrading it can cost more than $2,000, depending on your home’s specific electrical needs. The costs can go even higher if your home needs a transformer replacement or electrical service upgrade.
It also takes several hours to replace the breaker box in your home. The amount of time needed for the job will depend on the panel’s size and complexity.
Most installations take four to eight hours to complete. During that time, you must go without electrical power, which is a significant inconvenience.
Even more, you may have to apply and pay for a local permit and coordinate with your local electrical service provider to upgrade this panel. Both these tasks add more time to the project. You might have to wait for several days or longer to receive the permit and get a response from your utility provider.
After the installation, you may also need to have it professionally inspected. The inspection adds to the amount of time it takes before you can use the new circuit panel. You also have to pay for the inspection out of your own pocket. The cost of this inspection typically exceeds $100.
These pros and cons are a few that you should know about before upgrading the electrical panel in your home in Lafayette, LA. Contact Comeaux Electrical Services to learn more about electrical panel replacements today.
