Electrical Panel Upgrade: Guide for Greenville Homeowners
Why Upgrading Your Electrical Panel Matters
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. It serves as the main distribution center, taking electricity from the service line and sending it throughout your home using a network of circuits. These circuits deliver power through electrical wiring to every outlet and switch you use daily. While it may seem like a simple metal box, your electric panel performs vital functions that keep your home running safely and efficiently.
That's why maintenance and timely upgrades of your electrical panel should never be overlooked. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 44,210 home structure fires are caused annually by heating equipment, including electrical panels, wiring, and circuit breakers. In fact, heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in U.S. homes, with most incidents occurring during colder seasons when heating systems operate at full capacity.
What does this mean for Greenville homeowners? Greenville experiences cold winters with temperatures often dropping into the 40s and below, accompanied by frequent rainfall. During these months, residents rely heavily on heating systems, making proper electrical panel maintenance crucial. But maintenance alone isn't enough; upgrading your electrical panel on time is equally important.
An electrical panel upgrade allows your system to distribute power more efficiently and safely, especially during periods of higher usage or increased capacity demands. Older panels can become overloaded, struggle to support modern appliances, or fail to trip during electrical faults. All of these issues increase the risk of overheating or electrical fires in your home.
When Should You Consider an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
There are several situations that call for an electrical panel upgrade:
Home renovations or additions
Installing an electric vehicle charging station
Adding high demand appliances (new HVAC system, hot tub, pool equipment)
Experiencing flickering lights
Frequent breaker trips
Most older electrical panels have a capacity of only 60 to 100 amps. If you're installing modern, high demand appliances, you need an electrical panel with at least 200 amp capability for safe and efficient power distribution. For homes adding new HVAC systems, multiple appliances, or an EV charging station, a panel capable of up to 400 amps may be required.
Before proceeding with any major electrical additions or installations, determine whether your current electrical panel can handle the increased power distribution. This is especially important if you have an older home. Chances are your electrical panel hasn't been upgraded to handle modern appliances and loads since the 1980s or 1990s, which is not safe.
The Golden Rule: Upgrade Every 25 Years
Even if everything seems to be functioning well, you should upgrade your electrical panel every 25 years. It's also recommended practice to have your electrical panel professionally inspected by a licensed electrician every 10 years. Keep in mind that the suggested lifespan of an electrical panel is between 25 and 40 years.
Here's an important fact: in the City of Greenville, about 69.3% of housing units were built before 1990. This means there's a good chance your home's electrical panel is long overdue for an upgrade. If you're unsure, we recommend scheduling a professional electrical panel inspection performed by a local, licensed electrician who can determine if your panel needs to be replaced.
If you’re dealing with a specific electrical issue, we recommend reading our article “Don’t Let a Small Electrical Issue Spark a Fire”, where we cover common warning signs that may indicate your home needs professional electrical repair.
Understanding Electrical Panel Upgrade Costs
An electrical panel upgrade typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000, depending on your current panel, the scope of the project, and the components required. Several factors affect the final price:
Number of circuits that need to be added
Length of wiring required
Accessibility of the electrical panel
Size and capacity of the new panel
Higher amp panels often cost more. For example, upgrading from 200 amps to 400 amps will be more expensive than a standard replacement. If you have an older home, your electrical panel upgrade may also require rewiring and new wiring installation, which can increase the project cost.
Smart Panel Technology
Another option homeowners may consider is installing a smart panel. Smart panels can manage electrical loads by automatically turning high demand equipment or appliances on and off to prevent your home from exceeding its limits or reaching dangerous temperatures. Smart panels also help save the environment by directing and distributing power efficiently when it's needed most.
While an electrical panel upgrade may seem like an expensive investment, it's an investment in your safety and the protection of your property. This is why it's essential that homeowners looking to upgrade their electrical panel hire licensed, insured, and local electricians who can safely complete the work.
Why Choose Redland Electric for Your Electrical Panel Upgrade
The electricians at Redland Electric are the right team to call! Our team is here to provide homeowners and businesses throughout Spartanburg and Greenville counties with safe, efficient, and budget friendly electrical panel upgrades. We believe that every Greenville home and business should have access to high quality electrical services, which is why our pricing is always transparent and competitive.
No surprise fees. Prior to any work, we show you a full breakdown of the cost, all components or materials required, and give you a clear estimate for the project so you can feel confident in your decision.
Redland Electric is a team of local, licensed, and insured electricians with combined electrical expertise of over 25 years. Our team consists of master electricians who have experience handling even the most challenging electrical projects. We are local Greenville electricians who are here to support our community. We know Greenville home layouts, common electrical panel problems, and the most effective solutions.
Electrical Panel Services
Our Greenville electricians handle all types of electrical panel upgrades, including:
Full panel replacement
Main breaker upgrades
Subpanel addition
Fuse box conversions
Amp upgrades (100 amp, 200 amp, 400 amp)
Smart panel installations
Meter upgrades
Wiring upgrades
Grounding system improvements
Service mast upgrades to safely support higher electrical loads
You may be undertaking a home renovation or starting new construction. Our electrical contractors handle projects of all sizes. We help you not only with upgrades but also with complete electrical panel installations.
Our Electrical Panel Upgrade Process
Redland Electric has designed a straightforward process to make your electrical panel upgrade as smooth and stress free as possible.
Step 1: Thorough Inspection
It all starts with scheduling a thorough inspection of your electrical panel. We work with you to pick the right time and day for one of our electricians to conduct a detailed electrical inspection of your system.
Step 2: Detailed Estimate
We then provide you with a detailed price quote, showing the components needed, the amount of time required to finish the upgrade, and what the total cost will be. If a project requires more than one visit, we work with you to pick convenient times for our electricians to arrive and complete the project. We help you make an informed decision by providing clarity and a seamless experience in the complicated electrical landscape.
Step 3: Safe Removal and Inspection
During the upgrade process, the old electrical panel is safely removed, along with breakers and other outdated components. We check for any damaged wiring, outdated grounding, and unsafe connections to ensure the safe operation of your new panel.
Step 4: Preparation and Organization
Existing circuits are carefully labeled and organized. We repair or replace any old wiring and verify that the grounding and bonding systems meet local South Carolina electrical codes.
Step 5: New Panel Installation
The new panel is carefully mounted, and we connect each individual circuit to the new breakers, ensuring correct distribution and proper load balance throughout your home.
Step 6: Testing and Final Inspection
Once everything is connected, our electrician tests all breakers, inspects connections, and checks for proper grounding and voltage levels to ensure the system operates safely.
Ready to upgrade your electrical panel? Schedule an inspection with Redland Electric today to have your electrical panel professionally evaluated by licensed and local electricians who understand Greenville homes!