Five Tips For Upgrading Electrical Panels In Your Allentown, PA Home
Five Key Ingredients To A Successful Home
Electrical Upgrade In Allentown, PA
Hiring A Licensed Electrician Is Key #1
Are your home circuit breakers frequently tripping?
Do the lights dim or flicker when you turn them on?
Is your electrical box old and outdated?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time for some electrical service upgrades in your Allentown home.
The electrical panel in your home is critical to maintaining the functionality and safety of your property. At Shafnisky Electric, we provide homeowners with professional electrical service upgrades because we value the safety of your family and home as much as you do.
Upgrading your electrical panel is necessary at various points in your home’s life. Electrical upgrades make your home safer and more compatible with modern appliances.
But you need to know five key items that will make or break your new electrical service project.
1. Hire A Licensed Pro – DIY And Electricity DO NOT Mix
Electrical work is hazardous, so you want to hire a qualified and licensed electrician to do the job correctly. Professional electricians undergo thorough training to prove they can safely perform electrical tasks.
They also know local and national electrical regulations and codes for electrical panel replacements, ensuring their work meets all safety standards. With a licensed pro, you’ll get high-quality work from an experienced electrician. They will also carry liability insurance (which protects YOU from liability) and communicate project costs and timelines.
While it’s tempting to call that uncle or in-law who dabbles in electrical work or to do the work yourself, hiring a licensed electrician means doing the job right and safely the first time.
2. Ensure You’re Getting The Right Panel Type
When upgrading your electricity, selecting the right panel type is essential to keeping your home energy efficient and compatible with electrical demands. It’s also another place where a qualified electrician can prevent costly mistakes.
Determining the right panel type includes:
- Identifying your current power load and future electrical requirements
- Knowing your panel’s capacity (amps)Using a panel with room allows for installing safety features, such as CAFCI and GFCI protection circuit
- Selecting a panel from a company with an excellent reputation for safety and reliability.
The correct panel for your home will ensure that your electrical system does not overload.
This issue results in circuits blowing over and over again as the circuit receives more electrical current than it can handle. A new panel gives you peace of mind, knowing that your home’s electrical system is safe and efficient.
3. Know Your Permits And Regulations
A significant home improvement project like replacing an electrical panel involves paperwork — lots of it.
Some local building departments require permits for electrical work as it impacts the safety of your residence. Applying for an electrical panel permit often involves paying a fee, submitting formal plans, and having an inspection.
Hiring a licensed electrician makes the permit process much easier. Your electrician will be familiar with local codes and will ensure your new panel complies with legal standards.
Residential electrical work must follow local and national codes that set the standards for electrical equipment, wiring, and circuitry. Code violations may cause fire hazards, endangering your home.
4. Consider Your Future Electrical Needs
Technology moves fast, and you may purchase newer modern appliances, a solar energy system, or smart home devices in the future.
These technologies will place a higher demand on your electrical panel, so you want one that can handle future additions.
Modernizing your panel allows you to add new appliances and even an EV charger down the road without compromising your home’s electrical bandwidth and safety. At Shafnisky Electric, we ensure that your new electrical panel has the amperage to safely provide enough electricity to support your home’s demands.
5. Inspection. Label Checking. Maintenance.
After installing your new electrical panel, your licensed electrician should schedule a final inspection with your local building authority. The inspection will verify that the electrical work meets all code requirements and safety standards.
After that, you should receive copies of all installation and inspection paperwork for your records. Before you sign off on a job well done, you should address two more things.
- Double-check that your new circuits are clearly labeled.
- Establish a maintenance schedule so your new panel stays in working order.
Once you are certain that all is well, the electrical power upgrade process is complete.
Boost Your Panel Upgrade With Shafnisky Electric
If you are struggling with an old electrical panel or are concerned about the safety of your electrical system, contact Shanifsky Electric, which proudly serves the Lehigh County area. We recently became a Paxton Platinum Partner Award recipient, further proof that we always do the right thing—and well.
If you want an electrical power upgrade for your home and want to work with a respected company in the Allentown area, contact Shafnisky Electric for a free quote.