Typically speaking, electric panels get a good lifespan of up to 40-60 years before they are replaced. However, age isn’t always a primary consideration when contemplating an electric panel replacement. In some cases, it’s possible to find excellent electrical panel brands that have been sold for decades and whose age is nowhere near that of the panel. Still, in many cases, the older electrical panel is just as capable of handling your energy needs as any newer model without having to put in more money to upgrade or repair the old one.
When replacing an old electrical panel, some things to consider include the amount of current required by your home, the location of the breaker box, and how much wire is used to connect it all. Electricians will be able to tell you what the correct code numbers are for your particular region. They can recommend a reasonable new electrical panel that will handle all the power your home uses. He or she will probably also be able to replace your old fuse box with a modern one that matches your circuit breakers and wiring. In many cases, the circuit breakers and wiring in your home are not easily replaced, but the electrician will usually be able to suggest an easy alternative to upgrading everything.
When it comes to panel brands and individual models for electrical panels, there are many available and often many reasons why an electrician might choose one. The first thing to consider is the amount of electricity needed by your home. For many, a small electric panel replacement can actually increase their monthly electricity bills rather than reduce them. This means that choosing the right panel brand can be important.
The most popular brand for electrical panels is GE/Hitachi. They are both reliable and well-known. The GE Murray electric panels also come in many different sizes and models. There is a model for virtually every room in the house, including basements, laundry rooms, garage spaces, outdoor access garages, and more. This makes them great for any homeowner, regardless of their lifestyle.
Next, there is Brillion. This is a newer name in the electrical panel market, but they are a reputable brand. They are very consistent in the products they offer, and if a customer chooses to buy multiple units, they can typically expect the prices to remain competitive. They are a bit more expensive than other brands, but the cost is justified because of their quality.
Once it has been decided that panel brand is best for your home, you will need to consider which size of electric panel replacement is best for your requirements. You need to figure out what the maximum capacity of each panel is. Remember that larger electric panels provide more power, so you will want to make sure you purchase enough of them to power all the electronics in your home properly. If you are interested in using an alternative energy source for power, you will probably want to purchase the largest capacity panel possible. You can install these in locations where electricity is not readily available. In fact, installing large electric panels in remote locations is one of the fastest-growing residential solar panel market segments today.
Many older electrical appliances require an inverter. These are much smaller breakers, but they work just as effectively as larger ones. They are typically less expensive and can be installed on either the inside or outside of the house. You should make sure you purchase a branded inverter rather than an off-brand because those are not tested and guaranteed to work with the appliances you have in your home. With an inverter, you can reduce your dependence on traditional electricity, and you can save money on your utility bill each month.
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of new circuit breakers. Old, aged breakers may be suffering from thermal overload, so they may not handle the load placed on them by your appliances and other electronics. Over time, these breakers can develop shorts in their cables, causing them to trip or melt through wires. If this happens, you could have a serious problem in your home. To prevent this from happening, you should purchase new circuit breakers that are made from higher-quality materials. Newer breakers use hard-wired wiring, so there is no need for any additional wires.