When Is It Time To Update Your Homes Electrical System?

When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel? & The Top 5 Warning Signs Your Home’s Electrical System Is Outdated.

When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

Top 5 Warning Signs Your Home’s Electrical System Is Outdated

Is your home struggling to keep up with modern electrical demands? With more appliances, EV chargers, HVAC systems, and smart devices in today’s homes, older electrical panels often can’t handle the load. Knowing when it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel is essential for safety, performance, and preventing electrical hazards.

If you aren’t sure what a Full Electrical Service Upgrade includes, you can read our breakdown here:
What Is a Full Electrical Service Upgrade?

Below are the most common signs that it may be time to upgrade your panel and modernize your home’s electrical system.

⚠️ 1. Frequent Breaker Trips or Flickering Lights

If your breakers trip often or your lights dim when you plug in appliances, your panel may be overloaded.

Common signs include:
• Breakers trip when multiple appliances run at once
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Warm or buzzing outlets

This indicates your electrical system is operating beyond its capacity. Upgrading to a modern 200A or 400A service ensures your home can safely support today’s electrical load.

🔥 2. Burning Smells, Scorch Marks, or Buzzing Sounds

These are urgent red flags that should never be ignored:

• Burning odor near your panel
• Scorch marks or discoloration on outlets or breakers
• Crackling, popping, or buzzing sounds from the panel

These symptoms can indicate loose connections, overheating, or failing components — all of which increase fire risk. Contact a licensed electrician immediately if you notice these.

🏚️ 3. Your Panel Is 25+ Years Old or a Recalled Brand

Electrical panels have a lifespan. If yours is 25+ years old, it may no longer meet safety standards.

You should strongly consider an upgrade if your home has one of these older or unsafe panels:
• Federal Pacific (FPE)
• Zinsco / Sylvania
• Challenger
• Fuse box systems

These panels are known for failing to trip during overloads, which can lead to overheating and electrical fires.

🔌 4. Not Enough Outlets or Overuse of Power Strips

If your home looks like a maze of extension cords and power strips, your electrical system likely isn’t meeting your needs.

Consider an upgrade if:
• You depend on power strips for everyday use
• Your home has limited outlets per room (common in older homes)
• You have recently added high-demand devices such as a hot tub, EV charger, or home office equipment

Adding circuits or upgrading your panel may be necessary to support the increased load.

🧰 5. Recent Home Upgrades or New High-Demand Appliances

Home improvements often demand more electrical power than your current panel can provide.

This includes:
• Installing a new HVAC or heat pump
• Finishing a basement or building an addition
• Adding a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, or workshop
• Installing an EV charger
• Upgrading kitchen appliances

New circuits — and sometimes a full electrical service upgrade — may be required to support these additions safely.

👉Information on Dedicated Circuits And New Equipment

🏡 Do I Need a Full Home Rewire? In Most Cases, No.

Many homeowners worry that upgrading their electrical panel means rewiring the entire home. The good news is — a full rewire is rarely required.

In most situations, your existing wiring can stay in place as long as it is still in safe, functional condition.

Modern electrical code now requires AFCI (Arc Fault) and GFCI breakers, which add significant safety without the need to replace wiring throughout the house. These breakers are designed to:

• Detect dangerous arcing (a major cause of electrical fires)
• Protect against shock hazards
• Trip immediately if there is a wiring issue

This means older wiring can remain safe and code-compliant when paired with the correct upgraded panel and breakers.

If wiring is damaged, aluminum, cloth-wrapped, or shows signs of overheating, an electrician may recommend replacing only the affected areas — not the entire home.

Want more information on Arc Fault and GFCI breakers?👉 Click Here

🧠 Why Upgrading Your Electrical Panel Matters

A panel upgrade isn’t just about adding capacity — it’s about safety and peace of mind.

Benefits of a modern electrical service upgrade include:
• Reduces electrical fire risks
• Increases home value and resale appeal
• Supports modern appliances and smart devices
• Prevents electrical emergencies and breaker failures
• Improves energy efficiency and reliability

👉What is a full service upgrade?

👉More Information On Panel Upgrades

🧯 When to Call a Licensed Electrician

If you’ve noticed one or more of the warning signs above, it’s time to schedule an electrical inspection.

A licensed electrician can:
• Evaluate your current panel and electrical load
• Check for safety and code issues
• Recommend the correct upgrade (150A → 200A → 400A)
• Provide customized pricing options based on your needs

📍 Trusted Electrical Panel Upgrades in North Georgia

At North Georgia Electrical Services, we specialize in safe, efficient, and fully permitted electrical panel and service upgrades.

We complete your upgrade the right way — up to code, neatly labeled, inspected, and built to last.

📞 Call us today at 404-502-8252
📍 4282 Hamill Drive, Buford, GA 30519

We proudly serve Buford, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, and surrounding areas in Gwinnett County & Hall County, GA.

🔗 Ready to Find Out If You Need a Service Upgrade?

Request your inspection today and get expert recommendations tailored to your home.

👉 Call 404-502-8252 | 🌐 www.northgeorgiaelectricalservices.org