Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity throughout the property and helps protect individual circuits from overloads and electrical faults. As electrical demands increase, an older or undersized panel may no longer be adequate for the way your home or business uses electricity today.
Your Naperville Electrician provides professional electrical panel replacement and upgrades in Naperville, IL and surrounding communities. With more than 20 years of electrical experience, owner Maciej Balwas can evaluate your existing electrical system and recommend the appropriate solution for your property.
Whether you’re replacing an aging electrical panel, increasing electrical capacity, remodeling your home, adding new equipment, or preparing for an EV charger, we’ll help make sure your electrical system is ready for your current and future needs.
Do You Need to Replace Your Electrical Panel?
An electrical panel doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced simply because it’s old. However, age combined with increased electrical demand, deterioration, recurring problems, or planned upgrades can make replacement necessary or worthwhile.
You may want to have your electrical panel professionally evaluated if you notice:
- Circuit breakers that trip frequently
- An older or outdated electrical panel
- Breakers that will not reset or remain on
- Signs of overheating or discoloration around the panel
- Buzzing or unusual sounds coming from the panel
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Insufficient space for additional circuits
- Electrical problems that continue to return
- Increased electrical demand after remodeling
- Plans to add major appliances or equipment
- Plans to install an EV charger
- The need for greater electrical capacity
If you’re unsure whether you need a complete panel replacement, an upgrade, or simply a repair, we can inspect the system and explain your options.
Electrical Panel Replacement vs. Electrical Panel Upgrade
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, replacing a panel and upgrading electrical service aren’t always exactly the same thing.
Electrical Panel Replacement
A panel replacement typically involves removing an existing breaker panel and installing a new electrical panel.
Replacement may be recommended because of the condition or age of the existing equipment, lack of available breaker spaces, electrical problems, or other concerns identified during an inspection.
Electrical Panel Upgrade
An electrical upgrade may involve increasing the amount of electrical capacity available to the property in addition to replacing the panel.
For example, some older homes may need additional capacity to accommodate modern electrical demands.
The appropriate solution depends on your existing electrical service, panel, wiring, anticipated electrical loads, and future plans for the property.
200 Amp Electrical Panel Upgrades
Many homeowners contact electricians specifically about upgrading to a 200 amp electrical panel.
A 200 amp service can provide additional capacity for homes with greater electrical demands, but that doesn’t mean every property automatically needs a 200 amp upgrade.
We evaluate the home’s existing electrical system and anticipated needs before recommending an electrical service or panel upgrade.
A higher-capacity electrical system may be considered when adding equipment such as:
- EV chargers
- Electric ranges or ovens
- Electric dryers
- Hot tubs or spas
- Additional HVAC equipment
- Major kitchen appliances
- Home additions
- Finished basements
- Workshops
- Other high-demand electrical equipment
Our goal is to recommend the electrical solution that makes sense for your property, rather than automatically recommending the largest upgrade available.
Panel Upgrades for EV Chargers
Electric vehicles are adding a significant new electrical load to many homes.
Before installing a Level 2 EV charger, the existing electrical system should be evaluated to determine whether it has sufficient capacity for the additional load.
Depending on the property, installation may require a dedicated circuit and other electrical work. In some situations, an electrical panel or service upgrade may also be appropriate.
Your Naperville Electrician can evaluate the existing electrical system as part of planning your EV charger installation.
Electrical Panel Upgrades for Home Remodeling
A remodeling project is an excellent time to evaluate your home’s electrical system.
Kitchen renovations, basement finishing, home additions and other major improvements can introduce new circuits and increased electrical demand.
If the existing panel doesn’t have sufficient capacity or available space, upgrading the electrical panel may be part of the project.
Planning for the electrical requirements early can also help avoid having to redo electrical work later as the renovation progresses.
What Happens During an Electrical Panel Replacement?
Every property is different, but an electrical panel replacement generally begins with evaluating the existing electrical service, panel and electrical requirements.
Depending on the project, the process may include:
1. Evaluating the Existing Electrical System
We inspect the existing panel and assess the property’s electrical requirements.
2. Determining the Appropriate Panel and Capacity
The replacement should be selected based on the electrical requirements of the property and anticipated future needs.
3. Planning the Replacement
We determine what electrical work is necessary to complete the upgrade properly.
4. Removing the Existing Panel
The existing equipment is safely disconnected and removed as appropriate for the project.
5. Installing the New Electrical Panel
The new panel and associated components are installed and circuits are properly connected.
6. Testing the Electrical System
After installation, the electrical system is checked to verify proper operation.
Because panel replacements can vary considerably depending on the property and existing electrical service, we explain the specific work required before beginning your project.
Benefits of Replacing an Outdated Electrical Panel
Replacing an older or inadequate electrical panel can provide several benefits depending on the existing system.
More Capacity for Today’s Electrical Needs
Modern homes often use significantly more electrical equipment than homes did decades ago. An appropriately sized electrical system can better accommodate current electrical demands.
Room for Additional Circuits
A new panel may provide additional breaker spaces for future electrical projects and equipment.
Support for Home Improvements
Panel upgrades can help prepare a home for remodeling, EV charging, new appliances, additions and other electrical improvements.
Improved Reliability
If an existing panel has deteriorated components or recurring problems, replacing the equipment can address those issues as part of a properly designed electrical solution.
Planning for the Future
Even if you don’t need every available circuit today, considering future electrical needs when replacing a panel can help avoid another major upgrade when your requirements change.
Residential Electrical Panel Replacement
We provide electrical panel replacement and upgrade services for homeowners throughout Naperville and nearby communities.
Whether you live in an older home with an aging electrical system or a newer property that needs additional capacity, we’ll evaluate the existing system and help determine the appropriate solution.
We can also coordinate panel work with other electrical improvements, including wiring, lighting, remodeling, EV charger installation and additional circuits.
Commercial Electrical Panel Services
Your Naperville Electrician also provides commercial electrical services, including electrical panel work and system upgrades.
Businesses can experience changing electrical requirements as equipment is added, spaces are remodeled or the use of a property changes.
We can evaluate your existing electrical system and discuss the electrical work required for your commercial project.