Electrical Panel Upgrade Services in Central Texas
A panel that's outdated, overloaded, or on its way out isn't something to put off. Our licensed master and journeyman electricians will look at what's going on with your system and give you a straight answer on what it actually needs, then handle the upgrade from there.
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Types of Electrical Panel Upgrades
All homes have different electrical needs. The right upgrade often depends on your existing panel, service capacity, wiring, and any improvements you have planned. Whether you're adding an EV charger, installing a new HVAC system, or remodeling, Texas Strong Electric provides a range of upgrades to help Central Texas homeowners safely support increased power demands.
Electrical Panel Replacement
We replace old, damaged, or unsafe electrical panels to keep your home safe, code-compliant, and able to support modern appliances and systems.
200 Amp Panel Upgrade
A 200-amp panel upgrade provides the capacity many homes need for today's appliances and heavy-duty systems like HVAC and EV chargers.
400 Amp Panel Upgrade
A 400-amp service suits larger homes and properties with unusually high electrical demand, such as multiple HVAC systems, hot tubs, or large workshops.
Fuse Box Replacement
If your house still has a fuse box, we can convert it to a modern circuit breaker panel with more capacity and better protection for your wiring.
Subpanel Installation
An electrical subpanel is a great way to add circuits and breakers during a home addition, garage conversion, or other expansion.
Smart Panel Upgrade
Smart electrical panels provide real-time energy monitoring and, depending on the system, let you manage certain circuits or loads from a mobile app.
Circuit Breaker Upgrade
We replace faulty or outdated breakers and install breakers for new dedicated circuits when appropriate. Proper breaker sizing helps protect your wiring from overloads.
Electrical Service Upgrade
When your existing service can't safely support your power needs, we upgrade the service itself. Depending on the project, this may involve the meter base, service entrance, wiring, or other equipment connected to your main panel.
Benefits of a Panel Upgrade
An electrical panel upgrade can improve safety, add capacity, and make it easier to meet your home's electrical needs.
- Improves Electrical Safety: A properly installed panel can replace outdated equipment, improve system protection, and help bring your electrical system in line with current code requirements.
- Adds Capacity for Modern Appliances: Today's homes often use more electricity than older systems were designed to handle. A panel upgrade provides the capacity for new appliances, additions, and major renovations.
- Provides More Breaker Space: More breaker space makes it easier to add circuits for appliances, lighting, outlets, and other equipment as your needs change.
- Prepares Your Home for Future Upgrades: Extra room and capacity mean you won't have to rethink your electrical system every time you add something new.
Outdated and Recalled Panels
If your panel says Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Challenger, or Pushmatic on it, that's worth knowing about.
These panels have a track record of breakers that don't trip when they're supposed to,
and putting in new breakers doesn't actually solve the problem, since it's the panel itself that's the issue.
Most electricians will tell you the same thing: replace it.
It's also worth knowing that some insurance companies won't cover a home with one of these panels,
so this can come up when you're selling a house or just renewing your policy.
If you're not sure what kind of panel you have, we can check during an inspection and tell you whether it needs replacing.
When Do You Need a Panel Upgrade?
Certain signs can point to a panel that's outdated or overloaded. These signs don't always mean you need a complete panel upgrade, so have our team take a look to determine whether your home needs a panel replacement, additional circuits, or a larger service upgrade.
- Your breakers trip frequently.
- Your electrical panel is old, damaged, or rusted.
- Your home has a fuse box or a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Challenger, or Pushmatic panel.
- You don't have enough breaker space for new circuits.
- Your lights flicker when appliances turn on.
- Your panel buzzes, hums, or makes other unusual noises.
- You're adding a major appliance or HVAC system.
- You're installing an EV charger.
- You're remodeling or adding square footage.
- Your home still has an outdated electrical service.
Heat, discoloration, or a burning smell around your panel can be a safety concern. Don't wait for a routine appointment. Call us right away, and if you see smoke or fire, call 911.
What Happens During a Panel Upgrade
Our process is designed to determine whether an upgrade is truly necessary and to get it done safely.
1. Electrical Inspection and Load Calculation
We inspect your panel, wiring, breakers, and service capacity, and calculate your home's electrical load so any new panel is sized correctly for your needs.
2. Recommendation and Upfront Pricing
Once we've looked everything over, we'll tell you what your home needs, which may be less than you expected. Sometimes that's a new panel. Other times it's a few added circuits or a bigger service. You'll get our price and timeline in that same visit, before any work is scheduled.
3. Permit and Utility Scheduling
Before we can touch the old panel, the utility has to disconnect power at your meter, and the job needs a permit with the city. We take care of both, plus the inspection afterward, and we'll tell you the day and roughly what time your power will go off.
4. Professional Installation
Our electricians mount the new panel, connect your circuits to it, and swap out any breakers, wiring, or grounding that doesn't meet current code. If we find a damaged wire or a bad connection once the old panel is open, we'll show you and go over the fix before we do it.
5. Testing, Inspection, and Final Checks
We test your system and verify the upgraded equipment is operating properly. Once the work passes inspection, we restore power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panel Upgrades
As local electricians, we get plenty of questions about panel upgrades.
Here are some of the most common.
How much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel?
The cost depends on the panel size, your home's wiring, whether the service needs an upgrade, and how much other work is needed. Because every home is different, we provide free estimates and are upfront about pricing and timelines when we meet with you.
Do you offer financing for panel upgrades?
Yes. We offer financing through Affirm, available right on your invoice so that you can pay for your panel upgrade over time instead of all at once.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical service?
Your panel and your electrical service are two different things. The panel distributes power inside your home, while the service is the equipment that brings power in from the utility. Frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, or a fuse box or outdated panel can suggest you've outgrown your setup. An inspection from our licensed electricians will tell you whether you need a new panel, a service upgrade, or both.
How long does an electrical panel upgrade take?
The timeline of an electrical panel upgrade often depends on your home’s wiring, service size, permits, and the amount of work needed. At best, an upgrade can be done within a day, but permitting, inspections, and utility scheduling can cause delays.
Will my power be off during the upgrade?
Yes. Power to your home will be off while the old panel is removed and the new one is installed and tested. We'll explain the schedule ahead of time so you can plan around it.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Panel and service upgrades typically require a permit and inspection. We take care of the permitting process as part of the job.
Can I upgrade my panel without upgrading my electrical service?
Sometimes. If your existing service has enough capacity, you may only need a panel replacement. An electrician can determine whether your service can support a new panel.
How Long Does an Electrical Panel Last?
Most electrical panels can last between 25 and 40 years, but it often depends on your property’s power demands. Unless your panel is old or you plan to add an EV charger soon, you won’t need an upgrade just yet.
What Is the Difference Between an Electrical Panel Upgrade and Replacement?
A replacement means removing your existing panel and installing a new one. An upgrade improves your home's capacity or capabilities, often by moving to a higher amperage. Depending on your needs, you may need a replacement, an upgrade, or both.
Do older homes need electrical panel upgrades?
Not necessarily, but older homes may have outdated panels, limited capacity, or wiring that doesn't meet current needs. An electrical inspection can help us determine whether you need an upgrade.
Will a panel upgrade protect my home from power surges?
A new panel is a good opportunity to add whole-home surge protection, which protects your appliances and electronics. Ask us about surge protection when we inspect your panel.
Electrical Panel Upgrades in Central Texas
Texas Strong Electric is based in San Marcos and provides electrical panel upgrades for homeowners throughout Central Texas, including:
Contact Texas Strong Electric Today
Not sure whether your home needs an electrical panel upgrade, panel replacement, or service upgrade? Texas Strong Electric can assess your system and recommend the right solution. Contact our licensed electricians today to schedule a service or request a FREE quote.
Financing available through Affirm.