Your home’s electrical panel, or breaker box, is the heart of your electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit in your house. But as we add more modern, power-hungry appliances and devices—from electric vehicle chargers to smart home systems—many older homes’ panels are simply not equipped to handle the increased load.
If you have a home built before the 1990s, your electrical panel might be outdated. Common signs you need an upgrade include:
- Frequent breaker trips: A panel that’s constantly tripping means it’s working overtime and can’t handle your home’s power demands.
- Flickering lights: This can indicate that a circuit is struggling to get enough power.
- Warm or buzzing sounds: This is a serious sign of a stressed panel that could pose a fire risk.
- Outdated fuses: If your home still uses fuses instead of modern circuit breakers, it’s time for an upgrade.
