We’ve probably all noticed lights flickering or fading when turning on a machine or appliance. As our houses become older, the little things that make everything inside function also become old and obsolete. Proper home maintenance is difficult, so we’ve compiled this list of signs you might need to upgrade your electrical panel to help you out.

There Are Frequent Breaker Trips

It’s time to examine your whole system if your breaker trips more frequently when you use a device like a hairdryer or an appliance like a microwave or dishwasher. Things of this type need a significant amount of power to run. In a well-functioning system, these appliances should work without trouble. Your system may not be able to deal with the strong draw of large appliances if it has an electrical problem. Before your device begins to run, the breaker detects an electrical hazard and trips.

You Use Extension Cords Extensively

Have you noticed that many of your home outlets have extension cords or power strips plugged into them? You should have an electrician check your electrical panel if this is indeed the case. When you use a power strip sparingly, your system doesn’t take too much electricity. But you do pull more power from this outlet than the original builders planned for it to provide. Overusing these extensions is one of the most common causes of outages. You pull too much power from too many parts of the house when you do this. You may need to add new outlets if your home doesn’t have enough for your demands. Make sure you upgrade your electric panel when you do this to avoid overloading your system.

The House Is Old

You can’t fake the history and charm of an antique house. However, an outdated electrical system probably isn’t as alluring. Upgrading your electrical system when your home is older than legal adulthood is generally a good idea. Consider all the appliances you might’ve seen around your parents’ house growing up. Then, take a look at what you currently have around you. They’re likely larger, more numerous, and far smarter. Because of this, you will need more electricity to power them. This is because your antiquated system doesn’t reliably supply enough power. Electrical systems from the past aren’t cute. When integrated with modern appliances, they’re potentially harmful. People often forgot this because these electrical systems don’t need frequent repair. As a result, this is among the most important signs you might need to upgrade your electrical panel.

If you’re looking to have professionals fix your electrical panel, or you just need a breaker box upgrade, talk to us at No Shorts Electric today!