3 Signs You Should Call An Electrician To Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Despite the fact that the average person relies heavily on electricity in their everyday life, far too many homeowners take their home's electrical system for granted. In fact, many people do not give this essential system a second thought until something goes wrong. This is really quite unfortunate since homeowners can often prevent serious problems with their home's electricity by learning to identify the warning signs that it is time to call in a professional electrician and have their home's electrical panel upgraded. Taking a moment to review these warning signs outlined below can help you to avoid making this same mistake.
The Frequent Use of Extension Cords
Extension cords can be a wonderful way to supply extra electrical outlets on a temporary basis. For instance, if you plan on hosting family and friends for the holidays and need a few extra outlets in order to plug in holiday decorations or small appliances such as a slow cooker, an extension cord can provide the perfect solution. However, these cords are not designed to be used to provide long-term electrical solutions or to be used in significant numbers. If you find that you are using multiple extension cords on a regular basis, this is a good indication that it is time to upgrade your electrical panel and install additional outlets.
The Frequent Tripping of Circuit Breakers
Despite the fact that many manufacturers have made significant efforts to improve the energy efficiency of their products, the fact remains that the average household still consumes far more electricity today than they did when their home's electrical panel was last upgraded. If you find that you are frequently needing to reset tripped circuit breakers in your home, this is a good indication that you have outgrown your existing electrical panel and are in need of an upgrade.
The Need for Upgrades in Other Areas of Your Home
As your home begins to age, you will find that many of the major systems in your home all begin to require upgrades around the same time. This is because many of these systems utilize similar building materials that will age at roughly the same speed. For instance, the copper pipes used in your home's plumbing system will age at roughly the same speed as the copper wiring used in your home's electrical system. Consequently, the need for systemic upgrades in other areas of your home can be a good indication that it is time to call a local electrician to get your home's electrical panel upgraded as well.
