Electrical Panel Upgrade in Rochester, NY

If your home was rocking leg warmers and Walkmans the last time that electrical panel got any love, it’s probably time for an overhaul. While panels can last decades, there are some glaring signs yours has overstayed its welcome:

Frequent Breaker Trips

Finding yourself constantly trekking to the basement to reset tripped breakers is a huge red flag that your panel is overwhelmed. Whether it’s too many modern devices pulling power or just outdated breakers failing, those persistent headaches indicate your system can’t keep up with today’s demands.

Flickering Lights

Do your lights dim or flicker like the house is having a seizure anytime you try to run the microwave and AC at the same time? Those fluctuating power issues are a surefire indicator your panel’s capacity is maxed out and struggling.

Appliance Struggles

Trying to run a full suite of modern, power-hungry appliances like high-efficiency fridges, ovens, computers and entertainment systems on an outdated 100 amp panel from the 60s is a losing battle. If you’re constantly juggling what you can have powered on, an upgrade is overdue.

Burn Marks or Damage

If you start noticing scorch marks, melting, or any other physical damage on your panel’s components, that’s a four-alarm fire indicator of serious underlying issues that need to be addressed immediately by a professional. Electrical fires are no joke!

Old Age

At a certain point, outdated panels from decades ago just can’t safely keep up with our power-hungry modern lifestyles – no matter how lightly you’re running things. If your system is rocking that vintage 1960s or 70s look, it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to leave you in the dark.

At the end of the day, if your home’s electrical situation just can’t seem to keep up with your family’s needs without persistent headaches, it’s time to bite the bullet and give Reimer a call for a panel overhaul. Don’t wait until it’s an emergency!

An electrical panel upgrade sounds like a headache, but having Reimer’s pros modernize that outdated system has some serious upsides that just might change your tune:

Improved Safety

New panels bring improved safety and peace of mind! Those outdated boxes with old-school fuses or sketchy circuit breakers are just ticking time bombs waiting to cause a fire. Upgrading to new panels with the latest safety mechanisms eliminates those dangers.

Increased Capacity

Struggling to keep your modern appliances and devices happily powered up? A panel upgrade allows you to bump up your electrical capacity to finally run everything simultaneously without those annoying breaker trips. No more juggling what you can have on at once!

Enhanced Efficiency

Newer electrical panels are designed to be way more energy efficient compared to those outdated relics. By reducing electrical resistance and eliminating unsafe workarounds like overloaded circuits, you’ll see a drop in wasted electricity and lower utility costs.

Improved Reliability

Having Reimer’s team upgrade your panel means saying goodbye to those persistent flickering light issues, random appliance shutdowns, and a constant worry that your system is one hiccup away from failure. A new panel just works reliably without the headaches.

Higher Home Value

For those looking to sell their home down the road, an updated electrical panel checked off by a professional is a major selling point for buyers. It shows you took good care of the property and allows them to use it with modern power needs in mind.

At the end of the day, while an electrical panel upgrade requires an upfront investment, the long-term benefits to your home’s safety, efficiency, and overall electrical performance make it well worth it. Your hairdryer and home theater system will thank you!

We get it – anytime you’ve got to schedule an electrician stampeding through your home, visions of a weeks-long renovation nightmare start dancing in your head. But upgrading that outdated electrical panel is actually a relatively quick job for Reimer’s pros.

A typical straightforward panel replacement can usually be wrapped up in a work day – 4 to 8 hours from start to finish in most cases. Obviously, more complex situations like upgrading an ancient fuse box or adding a new subpanel will take a little extra time. But you’re still likely looking at just a single day of work before you’re back up and running with a shiny new panel.

The bulk of that time window is dedicated to the crucial planning, prep work, and safety steps our team has to take. We don’t just rip out the old and slam in the new willy-nilly.

There’s a very methodical process involved:

• Calculating your electrical load requirements
• Choosing the right size and model panel for your needs
• Carefully disconnecting the existing electrical lines and circuits
• Installing the new panel and grounding components properly
• Reconnecting all circuits and appliances to the new panel
• Thorough testing and inspection to ensure safe, reliable operation

While it’s a very hands-on process, our electricians have it down to a science at this point. As long as there aren’t any major curveballs or hidden issues uncovered, they can typically have you upgraded and powered back up with a new panel before your pizza gets cold that evening.

So don’t sweat an electrical panel replacement turning into a long-term ordeal. Reimer’s crew gets in and gets it done quickly and properly, allowing you to enjoy those safety and efficiency benefits with minimal disruption!

You’d better believe the City of Rochester isn’t messing around when it comes to major electrical projects like panel upgrade. Permits and inspections are an absolute requirement before any work can proceed.

Rochester has strict residential and commercial codes in place to keep electrical systems safe and up to code. Before Reimer’s electricians can legally install your new panel, we first have to obtain the proper permit from the city.

The permitting process allows the city’s inspectors to review the upgrade plans in detail, such as the panel size, working space clearances, wire sizing, grounding, and circuit configurations to ensure everything meets code. It’s their job to verify we’re doing things properly and safely before giving approval.

Once the panel installation is complete, an inspector will also come out to perform an in-person inspection. They’ll give the new panel setup a thorough examination to confirm it was installed correctly per code. Only after their sign-off can the new panel be certified and energized.

While permitting adds an extra step, it’s a crucial one for your safety. Reimer would never dream of trying to bypass this process and cut corners on such a major safety issue. Your family’s well-being is the top priority.

When you call us for an electrical panel upgrade, just know we’ll handle the entire permitting process from start to finish. All you need to worry about is how you’ll take advantage of that new electrical capacity! We’ll make sure everything is fully approved and inspected by the book.

We get it – anytime you’ve got to schedule contractors into your humble abode, visions of being kicked out for weeks start dancing in your head. But have no fear, an electrical panel upgrade is actually a pretty seamless process that allows you to stick around.

For the most part, Reimer’s electricians can complete the entire panel swap without ever needing to give you the old heave-ho from your own home. The work area around your existing panel just needs to be clear of any major obstructions or hazards.

Now, there is one key caveat to keep in mind: at a certain point during the upgrade process, we will need to temporarily kill the power to your entire home while we disconnect the old panel and wire up the new one. But we’re talking a relatively short full-home outage, usually just a few hours at most.

Our team will work with you to schedule this main power-down at a time that’s as minimally disruptive as possible to your daily routine. That way you can prepare ahead of time and your family isn’t left scrambling in the dark while trying to make dinner or binge the latest streams.

Once we give you a heads up, just be sure to conserve your device batteries, keep fridge/freezer openings to a minimum, and maybe even plan a candle-lit family game night if it’ll be an extended stretch. You can even pack a cooler with drinks and snacks to make the temporary outage feel more like a fun little camping trip!

But rest assured, as soon as that new panel is installed and tested, our team will have your lights and electricity fired back up and running like normal in no time. A little temporary inconvenience is a small price to pay for a safe, reliable electrical system!

When it comes time to put that “For Sale” sign out front, having an upgraded electrical panel can be a major asset that puts some serious dollars back in your pocket. Modern homebuyers are getting savvier about inspecting and valuing electrical systems.

Think about it – an outdated panel from the 60s or 70s just screams “expensive headache” to prospective buyers. They know they’ll likely need to shell out thousands right away to bring that ancient electrical situation into the 21st century and up to code. That’s a major deterrent and bargaining chip when offer time rolls around.

On the flip side, a newly upgraded panel checks off a huge item on buyers’ safety and maintenance checklists right off the bat. It shows you took pride in maintaining and modernizing the home’s major systems. You’ve eliminated a glaring red flag before they could even bring it up.

Even better, having ample electrical capacity with that new panel allows buyers to use the home for all their modern power needs without any hassles or restrictions. No more struggling with tripped breakers every time they run the AC and dishwasher at the same time. Everything from home theaters to energy-hungry appliances can run smoothly.

While it’s difficult to put an exact dollar figure on it, research shows safety features and updated electrical systems are among the top factors influencing home prices. Spending a few thousand on a panel upgrade today can easily translate to getting top dollar and multiple offers when you go to sell down the road.

So in addition to enjoying better safety and performance in the meantime, upgrading your electrical panel is a smart investment in your home’s future resale value. It pays for itself!

We’re taught from an early age that nothing lasts forever. Whether it’s your favorite childhood toy or that trusty old car, eventually even the best-made things need to be replaced when they’ve just plumb worn out. Your home’s electrical panel is no different.

Now, to be fair, those panels are built to be sturdy and last for quite a long tenure. In ideal conditions with no extenuating circumstances, you can typically expect to get a solid 25-40 years of service out of your electrical panel before age catches up with it. Plenty of homes still rocking those 1980s and 90s vintage models are a testament to their potential lifespan.

But just like anything else, hard use and adverse conditions can accelerate that aging process and shorten a panel’s expected lifetime. If your system is constantly being maxed out, subjected to power surges, or taking a beating from the elements, it’s going to show its years faster than expected.

That’s why, in addition to keeping tabs on your panel’s actual age, you need to stay vigilant for the telltale signs that it’s on its last legs like:

• Frequent tripped breakers or fuses
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Burn marks or physical damage
• Persistent electrical code violations
• Inability to handle new appliances or devices

If your home’s electrical panel starts displaying those kinds of issues and headaches more regularly, it’s probably time to stop bandaging it and just replace the whole outdated unit. Keeping an old, overwhelmed panel on life support is just asking for a dangerous situation.

The bottom line is there’s no universal expiration date, but once a panel enters that 25-40 year range, you’ll want to keep a very close eye on its performance and condition. As soon as it starts showing its age, cutting bait and upgrading is the smart play for your home’s safety and electrical needs.

We get it – upgrading electrical components is one of those projects that’s easy to keep kicking down the road. But ignoring an outdated electrical situation is just asking for trouble down the line. Here are some of the major risks you’re playing with:

Fire Hazards

This is the big one that should have you sprinting to call an electrician. Outdated panels and components increase the risk of electrical fires from issues like overheated wiring, arc faults, and short circuits. Those old fuse boxes are basically ticking time bombs waiting to turn your home into a crispy critter if they can’t handle the load.

Power Inefficiency

Electrical systems aren’t exactly known for getting better with age. That old panel is operating far less efficiently than its modern counterparts, wasting electricity through resistance and incompatible appliances. Those losses show up as higher utility costs month after month.

Inability to Support Modern Living

Trying to live in today’s world by powering all your TVs, computers, appliances, and devices through a 1960s electrical system is a recipe for frustration. You’ll be constantly struggling with tripped breakers, overloaded circuits, and not having enough juice to go around. That’s no way to live!

Increased Maintenance Headaches

From replacing burned-out fuses and breakers to repeatedly resetting overloads, outdated panels create a constant cycle of minor issues and maintenance headaches. It’s like driving an old junker that always needs another repair before you can go anywhere.

Renovation Roadblocks

Looking to upgrade your kitchen, add a home office, or install a hot tub? Trying to connect new high-powered appliances and devices to an ancient electrical system is basically impossible. That panel will hold you back from making any improvements.

Running on an outdated electrical panel is like tempting fate. Don’t wait for an emergency – call Reimer and get that upgrade scheduled!

Picking out a new electrical panel isn’t quite as simple as grabbing the first one you see off the shelf at the home improvement store. There’s actually some key factors you need to consider to make sure you’re getting a panel properly sized for your home’s needs – both now and down the road.

Square Footage and Energy Demands

The bigger your home’s footprint, the more electrical capacity you’re going to need to keep everything peacefully powered up. Those 5,000 square foot monstrosities with tons of lighting, appliances, and energy-hungry toys obviously require a beefier panel than a 1,200 square foot starter home. Reimer’s pros will calculate your total electrical load based on square footage and energy demands.

Number of Circuits and Devices

Similarly, the number of individual circuits and hardwired devices you need to support plays a big factor. More circuits mean more spaces in that new panel’s circuit breaker configuration. If you’ve got a bunch of large appliances, hot tubs, security systems, and other powered equipment, you’ll need a panel with enough slots to dedicate circuits properly.

Renovation and Expansion Plans

Unless you’re planning on living in a preserved 1970s timewarp, you’ll likely want to future-proof your panel for any upcoming home renovation projects. Adding rooms, pools, workshops, or updating appliances and systems will increase your electrical needs. Get a panel now that can accommodate those growth plans to avoid replacing it again in 5 years.

Potential for Solar, EV, or Generators

Playing the long game? Investing in a larger capacity panel could be wise if you envision going solar, installing electric vehicle chargers, or tying into a generator down the road. Having enough panel space and dedicated circuits built-in for those additions now prevents costly alterations later.

While the default option may be to just replace your existing panel with another similar size, don’t shortchange yourself. The Reimer team will work with you to calculate the perfect panel capacity for your home’s current situation and factor in any future needs you can foresee. A little extra investment now avoids growing pains later!

We get it – the idea of having to tear out and re-run every last inch of wiring during an electrical panel upgrade probably just made your wallet whimper in fear. But in many cases, replacing the entire home’s wiring isn’t necessarily required when installing a new panel.

But don’t go celebrating just yet. Whether your existing wiring can stay put or needs to get the old heave-ho depends entirely on its current condition and if it’s up to snuff with modern electrical codes. Reimer’s electricians will need to perform a thorough evaluation first before giving you the final verdict.

During the inspection process, they’ll go through and assess factors like:

• Wiring material (aluminum, copper, etc.)
• Wire gauges and amp ratings
• If grounds, neutrals, and hot wires are configured properly
• Any potential damage, deterioration, or outdated installation methods
• If wiring can properly support the new panel’s capacity

If your home’s wiring passes that white-glove inspection and is certified as being up to current code standards, it may be able to stick around and simply get reconnected to those shiny new panel terminals and breakers. This allows for a less disruptive, more affordable upgrade.

But if the inspection reveals any deficiencies, deterioration, or areas of wiring that don’t make the cut, those sections will need to be brought up to code with new wiring before connecting to the panel. Older homes or ones with a lot of renovations are more likely to require partial or even full re-wiring.

The bottom line is Reimer’s crew would never take shortcuts by leaving substandard, unsafe wiring in place just to make the panel upgrade easier. Their top priority is ensuring your electrical system is 100% certified as legit and up to code from that new panel all the way through to the last outlet. Don’t risk your family’s safety trying to cut corners!

We totally get the temptation to try and take the DIY route with an electrical panel upgrade. Watching a few YouTube videos and figuring “Hey, how hard can it really be?” Those visions of saving some cash by doing it yourself are certainly appealing.

But before you start sizing up that old panel to take a swing at it solo, let’s pump the brakes for a second. Electrical work, especially when it comes to major components like panels, is inherently complex and flat-out dangerous if you don’t really know what you’re doing.

Proper panel upgrades require an immense amount of knowledge and expertise, from calculating electrical loads and sizing new equipment, to understanding wiring methods, grounding requirements, circuit configurations, and ensuring every last connection is perfect. One tiny lapse in judgment or missed step can potentially create a hazardous situation like fires, shocks, and code violations.

Then there’s the permitting process to consider. Trying to DIY a panel upgrade without proper licenses and inspections is basically a crime around these parts. You’d be opening yourself up to fines, having to rip it all out again, and a whole mess of headaches.

At the end of the day, your home’s electrical system is simply too critical a component to go rogue on. Cutting corners or learning on the job opens a real Pandora’s box in terms of safety risks that just aren’t worth it. This is one of those times you need to call in the certified professionals at Reimer who know panel upgrades like the back of their calloused hands.