How to Know if you Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

⚡️ Does Your Electrical Panel Need an Upgrade?

What Northern Colorado Homeowners Should Know

If you’re thinking about installing an EV charger, finishing your basement, or just running out of room on your circuit breaker, you might be wondering:
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel?

It’s a great question—and one we hear all the time at Choice City Home Services. As fully licensed electricians serving Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, and the surrounding areas, we help homeowners across Northern Colorado stay safe, up to code, and ready for the future.

Let’s walk through the signs your electrical panel might need an upgrade—and when it’s time to call in the pros.

🧰 What Is an Electrical Panel, Exactly?

Think of your electrical panel as the heart of your home’s power system. It distributes electricity from the utility company into the various circuits that power your lights, appliances, outlets, and more.

Most homes in Northern Colorado have one of these types:

• 100 amp panel — Common in older homes, but often underpowered for today’s electrical needs.
• 200 amp panel — Standard for newer homes and upgrades, especially those with additions or EV chargers.
• Fuse boxes or outdated panels — Often need immediate attention for safety reasons.

🚩 Common Signs You Might Need an Upgrade

Here are a few red flags that it’s time to consider upgrading your panel:

1. You’re Adding an EV Charger

EVs are becoming more common across Colorado, and most home chargers need a dedicated 240V circuit—and enough available power to support it.
If your current panel is full or doesn’t have the amperage, a panel upgrade is likely needed.

2. You’re Finishing Your Basement or Adding Space

Basement finishes and home additions typically require additional circuits for outlets, lighting, HVAC, and more. If your panel is already maxed out, we’ll need to upgrade to make room.

Good to know: As a licensed general contractor, Choice City can coordinate all trades—so your remodel, HVAC, and electrical upgrades happen smoothly under one roof.

3. You’ve Got a 100 Amp Panel

While 100 amp service was fine in the past, it’s often not enough for modern homes—especially if you have:

• Central A/C
• A hot tub or sauna
• A finished basement
• High-end appliances or electric heating

Upgrading to 200 amp service gives you more capacity now, and flexibility for the future.

4. Your Breakers Trip Frequently

If you’re constantly resetting breakers or noticing lights dim when appliances run, your panel could be overloaded or outdated.

5. You’re Dealing With an Old or Unsafe Panel

Some older panels (like Zinsco or Federal Pacific brands) are known for serious safety risks and should be replaced regardless of performance. If you're not sure what kind you have, we’re happy to inspect it for you.

🔌 Why Upgrade? The Real Benefits

Upgrading your panel isn’t just about “keeping up”—it’s about improving your home’s safety, performance, and value.

Here’s what you gain with a panel upgrade:

• Increased Capacity: Room for more circuits, more power-hungry devices, and future upgrades
• Improved Safety: New panels meet modern electrical code and reduce fire risk
• Home Value Boost: Up-to-date infrastructure is a big plus for buyers and inspectors
• Peace of Mind: No more breaker overloads or worrying if your system can keep up

🏠 What’s the Process Like?

At Choice City Home Services, we make electrical upgrades as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s what to expect:

1. Free Consultation
   We’ll assess your current setup, talk through your plans (like EV chargers or remodels), and let you know if a panel upgrade is needed.
2. Detailed Estimate
   We provide a clear, honest quote—including permits, materials, and any needed coordination with your utility company.
3. Professional Installation
   Our licensed electricians handle everything safely and to code, whether you’re in a classic Old Town Fort Collins home or new construction in Severance.
4. Inspection & Cleanup
   Once complete, we’ll make sure everything passes inspection and your home is clean and powered up.

⚡ Ready to Upgrade? We’ve Got You Covered

Whether you're modernizing an older home or prepping for your next big project, a panel upgrade is a smart move—and Choice City is here to help.

We proudly serve Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Longmont, Greeley, Timnath, Severance, and nearby areas with electrical work that’s done right the first time.

Give us a call at 970-308-3638, or visit choicecityhs.com to schedule your consultation.

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