Have you ever had your electrical panel inspected by a professional electrician? If not, it’s probably a good idea to schedule an appointment. This is especially true when your home is older and your electrical panel is potentially outdated.
You can keep reading to learn more about why electrical panel inspections are so important, especially in older homes. We’ll also review some of the signs that can indicate problems with your electrical panel so you know when to call us if something is potentially going wrong.
Benefits of an Electrical Panel Inspection
Older electrical panels were not designed to meet the technological demands of today. It’s even possible that you have an electrical panel that was recalled at some point without you even realizing it. For example, Challenger electrical panels were recalled back in 1988, yet some customers still have them.
In the picture above, you can see that charring started with the main breaker, then moved down the buss bar and ultimately affected multiple breakers. This was a problem we discovered in one of our customer’s homes, and is a definite fire hazard.
You could have a similar problem in your home without even being aware of it. An inspection is a great way to Identify problems early and get them fixed. This helps keep your family safe and your home operating efficiently and effectively.
When to Schedule an Appointment
Ideally, you should schedule an annual inspection of your electrical panel and the electrical components in your home. This is a great way to identify problems early. After all, even if your electrical panel is not particularly old, problems can still arise.
It’s even more important to schedule an electrical panel inspection if you’ve never had one. We can offer recommendations for making minor upgrades to your electrical panel or overhauling it completely if it is particularly old.
Signs You Need an Upgrade
You may need a new electrical panel if if you don’t have many electrical outlets in your home to begin with. Older homes did not have as many outlets because there were fewer things that needed to be plugged in. Today we have phone chargers, game systems, televisions, and much more that all need outlets. You may think that you can purchase a power strip, but this may overload your electrical panel.
If you are tripping breakers frequently, that’s another sign of an older electrical panel. As the panel takes on more and more electrical needs, you may trip breakers more often from simple tasks like running the microwave or blow-drying your hair in the bathroom.
You can also consider the age of your home. If your house is 25 years old or older, there’s a good chance that the electrical panel needs to be replaced. Even if you don’t have any specific concerns, go ahead and schedule an inspection just to have our team assess your electrical panel and give you an idea of when we think it needs to be upgraded. When you’re proactive, you can stay ahead of unexpected problems that may cost even more to address.
Contact Althoff Home Services today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. Chicago’s Choice Since 1961. Hand It Off to Althoff!