Home’s Performance
Home’s Performance | Electric Panel Upgrades | Electrical | Birchwood
Does your Birchwood home still rely on an aging fuse box or a cramped breaker panel that can’t keep up with today’s high-demand appliances, EV chargers, and smart-home tech? HEP’s Home Performance Electrical team brings the expertise—and the friendly, hometown service—to make your upgrade effortless. Our licensed electricians evaluate your current load, design a future-ready layout, and finish with meticulous workmanship that maximizes safety, capacity, and resale value. The result is a rock-solid foundation for every kilowatt your family needs, all backed by HEP’s “Happy You’ll Be” guarantee.
From seamless scheduling to spotless cleanup, we handle every detail of your electric panel upgrades so you can enjoy peace of mind and reliable power for decades to come. Whether you’re remodeling, adding solar, or simply outgrowing your existing system, call the Birchwood pros who put performance first—and let HEP light the way to a safer, smarter home.
FAQs
How can I tell if my Birchwood home needs an electric panel upgrade?
Common warning signs include frequently tripped breakers, flickering or dimming lights when large appliances start, warm breaker faces, a burning smell at the panel, or reliance on screw-in fuses instead of breakers. Homes built before the mid-1990s often have 60- or 100-amp service that was never designed for today’s high-demand appliances, EV chargers, or home offices. A licensed Birchwood electrician can perform a load calculation and visual inspection to confirm whether the panel is undersized, outdated, or unsafe.
What are the main benefits of upgrading my electric panel?
Upgrading to a modern 150- or 200-amp panel increases the total amperage your home can safely draw, reducing nuisance trips and fire hazards. It also provides space for new dedicated circuits, making future additions—such as hot tubs, HVAC upgrades, EV chargers, or solar inverters—much simpler and cheaper. New panels include improved grounding, whole-home surge protection options, and AFCI/GFCI breaker compatibility, which can lower insurance premiums and improve resale value.
How long will the upgrade take, and will my power be off the entire time?
A straightforward panel swap typically takes one full day (6-8 hours) once permits and utility coordination are complete. Power is usually shut off for 3-6 hours while the old panel is removed, service conductors are re-terminated, and the new panel is wired. Our crew supplies temporary lighting and always schedules work during daylight to minimize inconvenience. More complex projects—such as relocating the panel, upgrading service entrance wiring, or adding a meter base—may extend to two days.
Do I need a permit for an electric panel upgrade in Birchwood?
Yes. The City of Birchwood and Hamilton County require an electrical permit and inspection for any service change or panel replacement. As your electrical contractor, we handle the entire permitting process, coordinate with EPB (or your local utility) to disconnect/reconnect service, and schedule the final inspection. Upgrades that alter the exterior meter location may also require zoning approval, which we include in our project timeline.
What size panel should I choose if I’m planning for future EV charging or solar power?
Most new builds in Birchwood install a 200-amp panel, which comfortably supports an electric vehicle charger (40-60 A), modern HVAC, and typical household loads. If you anticipate multiple EVs, a workshop, or a large solar array with battery storage, consider 225- or 320-amp service with a load-center panel that has at least 40 spaces. During our site visit we’ll run a NEC load calculation and discuss future projects so your new panel won’t need another upgrade for decades.
How much does an electric panel upgrade cost in Birchwood and what affects the price?
For most single-family homes, a direct 100-amp to 200-amp panel replacement ranges from $2,200 to $3,800, including permits and inspection fees. Costs rise if: (1) the service entrance cable or meter base must be upsized, (2) the panel needs to be relocated to meet clearance codes, (3) the grounding electrode system requires upgrades, or (4) drywall/finish repairs are necessary after the swap. We provide a written, fixed-price quote after a free site assessment so you know the exact investment before work begins.