Just like with your home’s appliances, plumbing, and other systems, your circuit breakers have a limited life span. When they start going bad, they will let you know through certain signs. Below are some of the top indicators that it’s time to replace your circuit breakers.
Why You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel When Rewiring
Frequent Tripping
It’s normal for your circuit breakers in Niceville, FL to trip as a result of inclement weather passing through the region. All you need to do to restore power is to flip the switches back to “on.” However, if you experience frequent tripping without any obvious reason, you may have an underlying issue with your breakers.
A breaker that trips often could be a sign that it’s wearing out. In this case, a repair won’t suffice since it’s just a temporary solution. It’s better to enlist a company like Mister Sparky for circuit breaker replacement. Newer breakers can handle the energy load that comes with modern appliances that draw a lot of power.
Weird Smells and Noises
It goes without saying that you should never hear any sounds or smell any odors coming from your breakers. If you notice either of these things, or both, set up service immediately.
A burning smell is serious and can mean an electrical short or frayed wires. Regardless of the cause, make sure to have an electrical contractor over to your home as soon as you start smelling this odor. Shorts and damaged wiring can cause fires if not addressed promptly.
Noises that resemble buzzing are also serious and require immediate assistance from professionals. If you hear this sound, it can be a symptom of similar problems like with burning smells. The wiring may be in bad shape, for example. Breakers too damaged to repair should get replaced.
They’re Too Old
Circuit breakers age and can become less efficient over time as they start to wear down. Breakers can last upward of 20 years or so. Of course, this assumes you’ve had service when problems surfaced and kept them in good shape. If your circuit breakers are closing in on 20 years of age, or you’re in an older home and you haven’t made any updates to it regarding the breakers, consider a replacement.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights could mean there’s an issue with your bulbs. However, if you have recently put in all-new bulbs and you’re still noticing constant flickering, get your circuit breakers checked out. The issue could be from your breakers beginning to fail. A professional electrician will investigate and determine if replacing the breakers is the best option.
The Top Benefits of Upgrading Your Home’s Electrical Panel
Upgrading your home’s electrical panel can provide you with plenty of benefits. These eight benefits in particular can save you money and provide your home with better electrical service.
1. More Affordable Electric Bills
When you upgrade your home’s electrical panel, you could save a reasonable amount of money on your monthly electric bills. The electrical panel can provide you with more energy-efficient power. This improved energy efficiency can trim your utility bills and make lighting, heating and using appliances or devices in your home more affordable.
2. Better Lighting
A new electrical panel can also provide you with better lighting throughout your house. Flickering or dim lights can not only inconvenience you.
They can also put the safety of your home at risk, such as when someone cannot see to walk down the stairs safely. New circuit breakers will provide a sufficient amount of power to the lights throughout your home.
3. Fire Risk Prevention
An outdated electrical panel can put your home at risk of an electrical fire. This fire could start when you and your family sleep or you are away from home. You can ensure a safer flow of electricity throughout your house when you hire an electrician to install a new electrical panel for you.
4. More Outlets
You might also experience inconvenience when you want to plug something into an outlet, only to find no outlet available to you. The solution to this problem involves installing a new electrical panel and, in turn, more outlets. An experienced electrician can handle this project for you.
5. Increased Home Value
A new electrical panel can boost the value of your home. If you want to put the home up for sale, you can highlight the fact that it now has a new electrical panel in it. This new addition can put potential buyers’ minds at ease and compel them to consider buying your house.
6. Better Visual Appeal
New electrical panels also look more appealing than outdated models. Whether you sell your house or not, you might appreciate having a new, sleek and modern-looking electrical panel in it.
7. Homeowners Insurance
Your homeowners’ insurer may require you to upgrade your outdated and unsafe electrical panel. You can provide proof of this upgrade when you hire an electrician like Mister Sparky to install the new one for you.
8. Cost Effectiveness
Compared to the costs of rewiring your entire house, you will find the price of upgrading the electrical panel more affordable. You could spend a fraction of the price putting in a new panel, rather than spending thousands to rewire the entire house.
An electrical panel upgrade can resolve problems in your home like flickering or dim lights and unusual noises like crackling. This upgrade also provides you and your home with benefits that save you money on your electric bill and prevent potential dangers like an electrical fire.