When your home’s power starts acting up—flickering lights, tripped breakers, or unresponsive outlets—it’s easy to brush it off as minor. But these could be signs that your electrical panel is no longer up to the task. As a trusted Lakewood electrician, we often help homeowners uncover hidden electrical issues that start with an outdated or overloaded panel.
CBR Electric provides professional electrical panel upgrade service to ensure your home can handle today’s power demands safely and efficiently. Whether your home is older or you’ve recently added new appliances, it’s worth considering whether a panel upgrade is in order.
What Does Your Electrical Panel Do?
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power system. It distributes electricity from the utility company to different circuits throughout your home. Each circuit is protected by a breaker that trips when there’s too much current. While it’s a critical safety feature, frequent tripping usually signals a deeper issue—your panel might not be handling the load anymore.
If you’re unsure whether your panel is outdated, consider this: Homes built before the 1990s weren’t designed to support the technology we use today. Smart appliances, home offices, EV chargers, and entertainment systems all place added pressure on your electrical system.
Warning Signs You Might Need a Panel Upgrade
As a local electrician in Lakewood WA, whom homeowners rely on, we recommend keeping an eye out for the following issues:
- Flickering or dimming lights: This often occurs when large appliances turn on, pulling more power than your panel can distribute evenly.
- Frequently tripped breakers: Occasional trips are normal, but if it’s happening regularly, especially when you’re using more than one device, your panel may be overloaded.
- Burning smells or warm panels: Heat or odor near your electrical panel is a serious red flag. It could mean loose connections or overheating components.
- Two-prong outlets or a lack of GFCIs: If your home still has outdated outlets, it likely also has an outdated panel.
- New appliances or home additions: Upgrades like central AC, hot tubs, or EV chargers significantly increase your power needs. A panel upgrade ensures your system can safely support them.
Why Panel Upgrades Matter for Safety and Performance
An aging or insufficient panel can pose safety risks like overheating and electrical fires. But even if you don’t notice immediate problems, performance can be an issue. You might experience slow-charging devices, limited appliance use, or unexplained outages.
That’s where our electrical panel upgrade service comes in. We help ensure your system operates reliably and meets current code requirements. This is especially important if you’re planning any renovation or system additions.
What’s Involved in a Panel Upgrade?
When you call us to evaluate your panel, we begin by assessing your home’s current load and your future power needs. If a panel upgrade is needed, we’ll walk you through the process, which includes the following:
- Removing the old panel
- Upgrading to a modern panel with higher amperage
- Coordinating with the utility provider for proper disconnection and reconnection
- Ensuring all work meets local codes and safety standards
As a dependable Lakewood electrician, we handle each step with care and professionalism, so you don’t have to worry about permits, inspections, or hidden issues.
Why Upgrading Your Electrical Panel Is a Smart Move
Investing in an upgraded panel gives you more than just peace of mind. It also means that you are assured of the following:
- Increased capacity for modern appliances and future upgrades
- Better safety through updated components and circuit protection
- Improved home value by aligning with modern electrical standards
- Fewer disruptions from overloaded circuits or failed breakers
If you’re planning to add an EV charger, update your HVAC system, or even convert part of your home into a rental space, a panel upgrade ensures you won’t run into power limitations later on.
Your Trusted Partner for Panel Upgrades in Lakewood
CBR Electric has built its reputation on high-quality, code-compliant service and long-term customer trust. Our team of licensed professionals is here to answer your questions, inspect your system, and provide recommendations that make sense for your home, not upsells you don’t need.
We serve the Lakewood area with a commitment to safety, reliability, and honest communication. Our work is clean, efficient, and aligned with Washington State regulations, so you can feel confident in every connection we make.
Further Reading:
- Planning a Hot Tub or Sauna? Don’t Skip the Electrical Work in Auburn
- What Bonney Lake Homeowners Must Know Before Installing an EV Charger
Is It Time to Upgrade?
If your home is showing signs of electrical strain, don’t wait for a more serious issue to occur. Let us help you determine if an upgrade is the right step. With our expertise and reliable electrical panel upgrade service, we make the process simple and safe from start to finish.
Power Your Home With Confidence
When it’s time for an electrical upgrade, turn to a Lakewood electrician who understands both your home and your needs.
