StayLit .pro
Licensed Master Electrician | Houston, TX

Electrical Panel Upgrades

Your panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. If it is undersized, outdated, or defective, everything downstream is at risk. We upgrade, replace, and modernize panels to code.

Why Upgrade Your Panel

Modern homes demand far more power than they did even 15 years ago. If your panel has not kept up, you are living with a system that is either limiting you or actively dangerous.

Not Enough Capacity

EV chargers, tankless water heaters, dual AC zones, hot tubs, and home additions all require significant amperage. A 100-amp panel may simply not have the room or capacity to support modern loads.

Fire Hazard Panels

Zinsco, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), and certain Sylvania panels from the 1960s-1980s have documented failure rates. Breakers can fail to trip during an overload, leading to arc faults and fires. These should be replaced immediately.

Insurance Requirements

Some insurance carriers are now requiring panel upgrades or refusing coverage for homes with known defective panels. An upgrade can make your home insurable and may reduce premiums.

Adding EV, Solar, or Generator

All three of these systems require dedicated breaker space and sufficient service capacity. If your panel is already full or undersized, it needs upgrading before the new system can be safely tied in.

Panel Over 25 Years Old

Electrical panels degrade over time. Bus bars corrode, breakers weaken, and insulation breaks down. If your panel is over 25 years old, it warrants a professional inspection at minimum.

Home Value and Sale

An upgraded panel is a selling point. Buyers and home inspectors flag old or undersized panels as defects. Upgrading before you sell avoids repair credits and closed deals falling through.

Panel Sizes Explained

Panel size is measured in amps. The right size depends on your home's square footage, number of major appliances, and future plans.

100A

Found in older homes. Barely sufficient for a modest house with gas appliances. Adding an EV charger, tankless water heater, or second AC zone will likely require an upgrade.

Older homes / Insufficient
150A

A middle-ground option for medium homes. Can support most loads but leaves little headroom for future additions like solar or a generator transfer switch.

Mid-range
STANDARD
200A

The modern standard for new construction. Handles virtually all residential loads including EV charging, dual AC, and solar with room to spare. Most upgrades land here.

Modern standard
400A

For large homes with multiple AC zones, pools, spas, solar arrays, EV charging, and generator systems. Typically split across two 200A panels or a single large panel.

Large homes

Signs You Need an Upgrade

Your panel tells you when it is struggling. These symptoms should not be ignored.

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Flickering or Dimming Lights

When large appliances cycle on and your lights dim, your panel is struggling to handle the load. This is a warning sign of insufficient capacity or loose connections.

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Breakers Tripping Frequently

If breakers trip regularly, either the circuit is overloaded or the breaker is failing. Both indicate the panel is not coping with your home's demands.

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Warm or Buzzing Panel

A panel that feels warm to the touch, buzzes, or smells of burning plastic has a serious problem. Shut off the main breaker and call immediately.

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Relying on Extension Cords

If you are running multiple power strips and extension cords because you do not have enough outlets, your panel may lack the circuit capacity you need.

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Adding an EV Charger or Solar

Both require significant dedicated capacity. If your panel is already near its limit, an upgrade is the prerequisite, not the option.

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Panel Is Over 25 Years Old

Even without symptoms, an aging panel is a liability. Components degrade, and safety standards have evolved. An inspection can tell you where you stand.

The Upgrade Process

1

Load Assessment

Full NEC 220 calculation of existing and planned loads to determine the correct panel size for your home.

2

Permit Pulled

We pull the electrical permit from your city or county. The work is documented and legal from day one.

3

Panel Swap

Power is secured at the meter. Old panel removed, new panel installed, all circuits landed and labeled. Done by a Master Electrician.

4

Inspection

City or county inspector verifies the installation meets current code. No exceptions, no shortcuts.

5

Re-energize

Power restored, all circuits tested, and panel labeled. Your home is ready for the next 30 years of demand.

Smart Panel Options

Smart panels replace your traditional breaker box with a connected system that monitors every circuit in real time. If you are upgrading anyway, these are worth understanding.

Span Panel

Replaces your entire panel with a smart system. 32 controllable circuits, real-time energy monitoring via app, and the ability to shed non-essential loads automatically during an outage. Ideal for homes with solar and battery storage.

Lumin

A smart subpanel that integrates with your existing panel. Provides circuit-level monitoring and automated load management. Works well for managing backup power from a generator or battery system.

Schneider Square D Energy Center

Combines a main panel with smart breaker technology, solar tie-in, and generator-ready design. A flexible option for homes planning multiple energy systems.

Not sure if you need a smart panel? Most homes do not. But if you are investing in solar, battery backup, or whole-home generator systems, the load management features can be valuable. We will give you an honest assessment.

Why Panel Capacity Matters for Generators and Solar

If you are planning to add backup power or renewable energy, your panel is the critical link.

Generators

A transfer switch or interlock kit requires dedicated breaker space. If your panel is full or undersized, there is no room to tie in the generator circuit. The panel upgrade has to happen first.

Solar and Battery

Solar tie-ins require a compatible panel with available breaker slots and a main breaker rated to handle backfeed. Battery systems also need a dedicated circuit. A panel assessment is step one of any solar project.

Is Your Panel Keeping Up?

If your panel is outdated, undersized, or showing warning signs, do not wait. Get a professional assessment from a Licensed Master Electrician.

Schedule an Assessment

Licensed Master Electrician | Electrical Contractor TECL #31608