You’ve probably never thought about your home’s electrical panel—until something goes wrong.
Maybe the power cuts out when you plug in your air fryer and microwave at the same time. Or the lights dim when your AC kicks on. Or your panel makes a low buzzing sound you’re pretty sure didn’t used to be there.
These are signs your panel might be under more stress than it was designed to handle. And in Colorado Springs, where we see everything from 70s ranches with fuse boxes to 200-amp setups powering full smart homes, it’s not always clear when an upgrade is necessary… or just overkill.
So let’s talk about it. Here’s everything you need to know about electrical panel upgrades, and whether you actually need one.
What Is an Electrical Panel, Really?
Your electrical panel (also called a breaker box, distribution board, or service panel) is the central hub where electricity from your utility company enters your home and gets split up into individual circuits.
Each of those circuits powers different parts of your house — kitchen, HVAC, lighting, garage, and so on. If something goes wrong (like an overloaded hairdryer tripping the breaker), the panel shuts that circuit off before it becomes a fire hazard.
The Problem? Homes Have Changed.
Appliances draw more power than they used to.
Electric vehicles, hot tubs, and smart home systems need their own dedicated circuits.
Many panels in Colorado homes are 20–40 years old and weren’t built for today’s demands.
9 Signs You Might Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Let’s get straight to it. Here are the clearest indicators you may need to replace or upgrade your panel.
1. Frequent Breaker Trips
If you’re resetting breakers more than once a month, it’s not “just old wiring.” It could be a panel struggling to manage the load — especially if the same circuits trip over and over.
2. Buzzing, Humming, or Warmth Around the Panel
Electrical panels should be silent and cool. Any warmth, vibration, or buzzing is a red flag. If you smell burning plastic, shut off power and call an electrician immediately.
3. You Still Have a Fuse Box
If your home has fuses instead of breakers, it’s not just outdated — it’s potentially dangerous. Fuses don’t offer modern safety protections, and they’re often improperly replaced with oversized ones to “fix” tripping problems.
4. Flickering Lights When You Use Appliances
Does the overhead light dim every time you start the vacuum? That’s usually a sign of circuit overload or poor load balancing — both of which suggest your panel is at capacity.
5. Not Enough Circuits
Adding a new appliance and your electrician says, “You’re out of room in the panel”? You’ll either need a subpanel or an upgrade.
6. Your Home Was Built Before 1990
Panels from the 70s and 80s weren’t designed with modern loads in mind. Some older brands like Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Zinsco are actually fire hazards and are known to fail to trip during surges.
7. Adding New Loads (EV, Hot Tub, Kitchen Reno, etc.)
New demands often require dedicated circuits. If your panel is already maxed out, you’ll need an upgrade to safely accommodate the addition.
8. Insurance Pushback
Some insurance providers now refuse coverage for homes with outdated panels or certain brands (like FPE). If your premium just jumped unexpectedly, this could be why.
9. You're Remodeling or Selling
Upgrading your panel during a remodel simplifies permits, improves resale value, and avoids surprises in the home inspection later on.
What Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Actually Involve?
An upgrade isn’t just swapping the box. Here’s what it includes:
Service Assessment
Your electrician will measure how much power your household uses (measured in amperage) and determine if your existing panel can safely handle it.
New Panel Installation
A new panel is installed, often upgraded from 100 amps to 200 amps (the new standard for homes). This may include adding breakers, AFCI/GFCI protections, surge protectors, or a whole-home energy monitor.
Permits & Coordination with Utilities
In Colorado Springs, this involves pulling permits, scheduling utility disconnect/reconnect, and coordinating city inspections. HOMEfix handles all of this for you.
Rewiring or Relocation (If Needed)
In some cases, the panel is moved (e.g. from a kitchen pantry to the garage). This can increase complexity and cost, but improves accessibility and safety.
Is a Smart Panel Worth It?
Short answer: maybe. Smart panels (like Span or Leviton Smart Load Center) allow you to:
- Monitor energy use from your phone
- Turn circuits on/off remotely
- Prioritize loads during outages (if you have solar or a battery system)
- Get alerts before problems become emergencies
In our opinion, smart panels are most worth it if:
- You’re adding solar, a backup battery, or an EV charger
- You want whole-home energy visibility
- You like to future-proof your home tech
When You Don’t Need an Upgrade
Let’s clear the air. You don’t need a new panel just because:
- You think your home is “old”
- A neighbor upgraded theirs
- You’re getting new kitchen appliances (unless they require more amperage)
- Your power occasionally trips once in a blue moon
The best way to know is to have a licensed electrician do a load calculation.
Final Thoughts
An electrical panel upgrade isn’t just a box swap. It’s a safety upgrade, a future-proofing decision, and one of the smartest ways to ensure your home can keep up with your life.
Think of it like replacing your home’s heart — if your current panel is overworked, undersized, or just plain outdated, it’s only a matter of time before it starts causing real problems.
If you’re unsure whether you need an upgrade, we’d be happy to give you an honest assessment. No scare tactics. No nonsense. Just the truth, so you can make a decision that makes sense for you and your home.
