Electrical panel upgrade Peterborough ON

In older dwellings, it was not uncommon to find a 100 amp electrical panel or even a fuse box. Here are some common questions from homeowners:

Should I upgrade my electrical panel?

Here are a few clues that you might need to upgrade service to 200 amp:

If you’re doing a large home remodel or a suite addition, there will inherently be a higher demand for power. An existing fuse box or 100 amp breaker likely won’t cut it, and tripped breakers will become a common occurrence.

If your home already has a lot of extension cords or power strips, that’s a sign the power outlets are overloaded. Overloading means more heat and more instances of short circuits.

If lights are constantly flickering or appliances are sputtering or have a burned smell (and you’ve ruled out light bulb and connection issues), this may indicate a wiring system that is old and outdated as it can no longer support the power demands of modern day appliances.

As mentioned before, large and/or modern appliances are more sophisticated and have higher energy demands. If your home has the typical appliances found in most homes today including refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, modern HVAC system and especially if you decide to add something a bit more uncommon like a hot tub installation, it would be wise to upgrade your electrical panel to 200 amp.

Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?

In Ontario, the answer is yes, any work done on the main electrical panel requires a permit, according to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). You must involve an licensed electrician to perform the upgrade, and as the homeowner, you can call the ESA yourself come in for inspections during the initial and finished stages of the job. If you involve a master electrician, they themselves can pull a permit with the ESA to have the work inspected by them.

This electrical endeavour is by no means a simple one, so many homeowners might have pricing questions on the forefront of their minds such as:

How much does it cost to upgrade to 200 amp service in Ontario?

In Ontario, you’re looking at a cost of about $3,000 to $4,000.

How much does it cost to upgrade electrical panel from fuses to breakers?

You’re looking at around $3,000 to $4,000 as well. Fuse breakers found in older homes have the same goal to prevent a fire hazard by killing the power when too much current passes through the circuit. The issues come not in the fuse breakers themselves, but the lower amperage rating that just doesn’t accommodate modern homes and appliances very well. Furthermore, many insurance companies will charge a higher premium if the home still uses a fuse breaker as opposed to the updated main circuit breaker.

To replace an electrical panel, you definitely need to call up your local electrician in Peterborough from start to finish of the job. This is not something a homeowner, no matter how handy, should attempt themselves. Give us a call to inspect your home’s situation and we’ll advise you on how best to proceed, given the years of experience and expertise of our Peterborough electricians.

Call now for a no-obligation quote:

705-996-2556