Table of Contents

• Introduction to Upgrading Your Service Panel in Fairfield County
• Assessing Your Current Electrical System
• Planning Your Service Panel Upgrade
• Preparing for the Upgrade
• The Upgrade Process
• Post Upgrade Considerations
• Why Upgrade Your Service Panel with Santella Electric
• Maximizing the Benefits of Your Service Panel Upgrade with Santella Electric

Introduction to Upgrading Your Service Panel in Fairfield County

When you take a look around your home, odds are that wherever you are, you’ll have an electrical device plugged in somewhere in sight. Most residents in Connecticut rely on electricity to get through their day, highlighting the importance of a reliable electrical system for a safe and comfortable home. Electrical needs are only growing for homeowners, whether it’s additional appliances, modern amenities, or even electric vehicles – your existing service panel may not be able to keep up. Upgrading your service panel could be the boost that your home needs to make sure your electrical capacity continues to meet your current and future needs.

Assessing Your Current Electrical System

Signs Your Panel Needs an Upgrade

There are some concrete warning signs that your service panel is in need of an upgrade. Luckily, in most cases you’ll be able to tell before your panel completely gives out, based on these signs:

• Frequent tripping breakers: Tripping breakers can be a tell-tale sign of an overload on your service panel, letting you know that it’s time for a newer version or higher capacity panel.
• Dimming or flickering lights: When running multiple electrical appliances at once, you may notice your lights dimming or flickering, which can be a sign of insufficient power or loose connections within your service panel.
• Warmth around your panel: If you notice heat radiating from your panel, this is a sign of overheating and can be a serious safety hazard for your home and your family. If this is something you experience, make sure to contact an electrical professional immediately.
• Outdated or damaged equipment: The obvious sign of needing a new service panel is if yours is outdated or damaged. Fuses and outdated panels are much less efficient, and more importantly, much less safe for your home and appliances.

Professional Evaluation and Recommendations

If you see any of the signs of your service panel needing an upgrade, it’s important to reach out to a licensed electrician, like the professionals at Santella Electric, to have them check it out. A skilled electrician will thoroughly assess your electrical system, identify any issues it’s experiencing, and recommend a plan of action to get your home a suitable solution for a service panel upgrade to get your home the power it needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for an evaluation!

Planning Your Service Panel Upgrade

Choosing the Right Panel for Your Needs

A professional electrician can assist you in understanding and selecting what’s best for your home and its specific electrical requirements. Here at Santella, our electricians will meet with you to discuss and identify your current and future electric needs. We’ll then guide you in selecting the appropriate level of amperage for your upgraded panel, ensuring your home and electrical needs are set up for success for the foreseeable future.

Understanding the Upgrade Process and Timeline

When it comes to upgrading your service panel, the timeframe is pretty straightforward, and will mostly depend on the urgency of your needs and the size & complexity of the project. As a general basis, here’s what you can expect: 

• Pre-installation
• Consultation and quoting: After contacting Santella Electric, one of our professionals will visit your home and assess your specific situation. We will then provide a detailed quote including your recommended panel, project timeline, and the costs for the project.
• Permitting: Our team will help in obtaining any necessary permits for your project.
• Scheduling: Once you approve your quote and any necessary permits are secured, we’ll discuss and schedule a day that is best for you to do the upgrade.
• Installation
• Power disconnection: If necessary, our team will coordinate with your utility provider to safely disconnect your power for the project.
• Panel removal and installation: Your old panel will be safely removed, and your new panel will be installed.
• Wiring and labeling: The new circuits will be connected to your new panel and labeled for any necessary reference.
• Inspecting and testing: We will ensure that your new panel meets all necessary safety codes and run tests that ensure the panel is functioning correctly.
• Power restoration: Once the project is complete, we will restore the power and you’ll be running on your new panel.

Remember, this is a general overview of a hypothetical installation of a new service panel. Each project is unique and Santella Electric will be able to provide you an exact project timeline after a consultation.

Preparing for the Upgrade

Safety Measures and Precautions

As mentioned in the timeline above, our team will prioritize safety and electrical best practices throughout your project. We will discuss any necessary preparations to make sure you have a smooth and seamless upgrade of your service panel. Our electricians are certified professionals that have extensive experience in completing panel upgrades.

What to Expect on the Day of Installation

On the day of your installation, your technician will arrive at the previously determined date and time. Our team will arrive prepared to efficiently execute your panel upgrade, minimizing any disruption to your daily routine.

The Upgrade Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading Your Service Panel

As previously mentioned, the specifics of any certain service panel upgrade may vary depending on the customer needs and situation. As a baseline, a typical upgrade process will include:

• Disconnecting the power from the main line
• Removing your old service panel
• Installing the new service panel in place of the old one
• Connecting and labeling the new circuits
• Metering and inspection done by the necessary professionals
• Restoring the power and testing the new electrical system

Roles of Professionals During the Upgrade

The roles of professionals during the upgrade are very simple: handle the upgrade project while ensuring that the new panel meets all safety codes and regulations. Our team is highly experienced and qualified, and will complete the job as efficiently as possible so that you can utilize your new panel.

Post Upgrade Considerations

Testing and Ensuring Functionality

Before leaving the job and finalizing the project, our team will run various tests and checks to ensure your new service panel not only functions, but functions safely. We will make sure we check in with the customer and can show them the properly functioning new service panel before heading out.

Maintenance Tips for Your New Service Panel

There are a few best practices that our team will inform you of in order to provide routine maintenance and checks to ensure your new service panel is working to the best of its ability.

• Regular visual inspections: Keep an eye out on your panel once every few months to check for any signs of damage, rust, corrosion, or burning odors. You should also check for any abnormally loose wires or any debris around the panel. If anything unusual stands out, contact Santella Electric as soon as possible to get an experienced technician out to check on your panel.
• Keep the area clear: Make sure to maintain a minimum of 3 feet of clear space around the service panel, allowing it to properly ventilate and easy access for maintenance or emergencies.
• Clear labeling: Make sure you personalize your labeling to ensure you know exactly what circuits control which portions of your home.
• Leave the electrical work to professionals: Avoid playing with the panel yourself, as electrical work should only be performed by professionals. If something seems off, contact an electrician to come and check it out instead.
• Be mindful of electrical load: Be weary of your overall electric usage, if you still notice tripped breakers consistently, you may be overloading the system. If it happens once in a while, pay attention to which appliances are running at those times and try to avoid putting a large burden on your system.
• Surge protection: Consider installing surge protectors for your devices and appliances. In the off chance of unexpected power surges, this will help protect and preserve your electric items.

Why Upgrade Your Service Panel with Santella Electric

Santella Electric takes pride in being a trusted resource for residents of Fairfield County. Whether you need advice, a new service panel, or have an electrical emergency at any hour, we’re here for you. Some of the things that set us apart as an electrical partner include:

• Expertise and experience: Our qualified and licensed electricians are extremely knowledgeable and possess the skills to handle any upgrade efficiently and safely.
• Upfront pricing: We’ll always be transparent with costs before any project begins, allowing all of our customers to make informed decisions about working with our team.
• Commitment to safety: Safety and professionalism will always be our priorities. We follow and adhere to strict safety protocols throughout any project, no matter the size or time needed to complete.
• Customer service: Santella Electric prioritizes clear communication from the beginning of any relationship with a customer. We always want to make sure the experience is positive and the relationship is lasting.

Maximizing the Benefits of Your Service Panel Upgrade with Santella Electric

Upgrading your service panel with Santella Electric always comes with a long-lasting electrical system that can support evolving electronic needs. Adding in new devices or appliances should always be no problem for your system, and we’re here to ensure that’s always the case. Enjoy your peace of mind that your home’s electric system is safe, effective, and efficient for as long as you live in your home supported by Santella.

Contact us today for a consultation and discover how we can take your electricity needs to new heights! Enjoy a safe and secure home, with the ability to utilize any type of electric appliance at any time.