Concerns about rising costs and the environment have led to an increasing emphasis on energy efficiency. When systems are more energy-efficient, they cost less to run. One way to increase your home’s energy efficiency is to upgrade your electrical panel or fuse box. Your home’s electrical panel distributes electricity throughout your home, but many houses have older fuse boxes that can’t keep up with the demands of modern appliances. Here is some information from the professional electricians in Gainesville, Florida at Mister Sparky about how an electrical panel upgrade can improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
What is an Electrical Panel?
An electrical panel or distribution board is the central hub through which electricity is distributed throughout your home. It connects your home’s wiring to the power grid and protects your electrical system from overloading and sparking fires.
The following are a few common types of residential electrical panels:
- Fuse boxes
- Circuit breaker panels
- Split-bus panels
While each type has distinct features, they all regulate the flow of electricity through your home’s wiring.
Fuse boxes are more common in older homes. They consist of a metal box that contains fuses. When the power exceeds what a fuse can handle, it will shut off as an emergency feature.
Split-bus panels allow people to control different sections of their homes independently and were popular 40 to 50 years ago. However, both fuse boxes and split-bus panels are now replaced with advanced circuit breaker panels that sense when too much energy flows through a circuit and turn it off to prevent electrical fires and damage.
Signs You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Some of the signs it might be time to upgrade your electrical panel include:
- Breakers that constantly trip
- Original panel in an older home
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Visible damage to the panel
- Burning smell
- Power surges
- Power interruptions
If you notice these signs, you should call a licensed electrician as soon as possible.
Dangers of an Old Electrical Panel
Some of the dangers an old electrical panel can cause if you don’t upgrade it include:
- Electrical shock because of a lack of safety features
- Electrical fires caused by faulty wiring or overloaded circuits
- Inefficient energy use because of an inability to distribute power efficiently
- Appliance and electronics damage
Failing to upgrade your home’s electrical panel is not worth the risk. If you upgrade your panel, you can decrease the chances of fires, shock, appliance damage, and high electric bills.
Why an Electrical Panel Upgrade Increases Energy Efficiency
New electrical panels are much more energy efficient because they are built to handle the energy demands of modern appliances and electronics. Since they are more efficient in how they distribute electricity throughout your home, your energy use will be lower, and your bills should go down.
By contrast, outdated electrical panels often can’t handle the demands of electronics and modern appliances, which forces them to use more electricity than would otherwise be necessary. This results in wasted energy and higher utility bills. Older panels were not designed to handle the demands of multiple appliances and devices, which can lead to tripping breakers, power outages, and other problems.
Other Benefits of an Advanced Circuit Breaker Panel
Besides increased energy efficiency, a modern circuit breaker panel offers the following benefits vs. outdated fuse box or split-bus panels:
- Improved safety – Circuit breakers have safety features to turn off the flow of electricity when there is a problem, preventing shocks and fires.
- Increased convenience – With a fuse box, you must replace the fuse when it blows. By contrast, when a circuit breaker trips, you only have to reset it.
- Greater reliability – Modern circuit breaker panels are much more reliable than fuse boxes or split-bus panels.
- Added protection – Since circuit breakers trip and stop the flow of electricity in case of a fire, they help to protect your home by slowing the spread of damage.
How Do You Choose a New Electrical Panel?
The right electrical panel for your home depends on several factors, including:
- How much energy your home consumes and the maximum amperage needed
- How many circuits are needed to accommodate all electronics and appliances, including future expansions
- Where the panel can be located for easy maintenance and access
- Your home’s size
These factors require the help of a licensed electrician to determine which panel might be the best choice for your home. An electrician at Mister Sparky can assess your electrical needs, make recommendations, and complete a professional installation to ensure your new panel is properly connected to the electrical system and meets your energy demands.
Contact a Licensed Electrician
Increased energy efficiency is only one benefit of upgrading your electrical panel. When you replace your panel, you’ll also reduce your risk of fire, shock, and damage to your appliances and electronics. It’s best to upgrade now before a major issue occurs. Replacing your panel can increase your home’s safety while decreasing electric bills. Call Mister Sparky today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help at (352) 316-7523.