When to Upgrade Your Home’s Electrical Panel and Why We Are the Right Team for the Job

That breaker tripped again. Third time this month. You reset it, everything comes back on, and you go about your day. But somewhere in the back of your mind you’re wondering if something is actually wrong.

Usually there is.

Electrical panels don’t send polite notices when they’re struggling. They send warnings that most people ignore until something worse happens. Breakers that won’t stay on. Lights that dim when the AC kicks in. That faint burning smell you noticed once and then convinced yourself you imagined.

These aren’t quirks. They’re your house telling you the electrical system can’t keep up anymore.

The Problem With Old Electrical Panels in New Times

Here’s what happened to a lot of Houston homes. They were built in the 70s or 80s or earlier, with panels sized for that era. A few window units. A basic kitchen. Maybe a TV in the living room. The panel handled it fine because there wasn’t much to handle.

Now look at the same house. Central air that runs hard for six months straight. A kitchen full of appliances your parents never heard of. Multiple TVs, computers, gaming systems, phone chargers in every room. Maybe someone’s talking about adding an EV charger to the garage.

That original panel hasn’t changed. It’s still the same 100-amp box that was perfectly adequate in 1982. But the demands on it have tripled.

Electricity doesn’t negotiate. When you ask for more than the system can safely deliver, something gives. Sometimes it’s just a tripped breaker. Sometimes it’s a melted wire behind the wall. Sometimes it’s worse.

What Struggling Panels Actually Look Like

Most homeowners don’t know their panel is failing until we open it up and show them. But there are signs if you know what to watch for.

Breakers that trip repeatedly, especially the same ones. Not once in a while during a storm. Regularly, under normal use.

Lights that flicker or dim when large appliances cycle on. The AC shouldn’t make your kitchen lights stutter.

Outlets or switches that feel warm. They shouldn’t. Ever.

A panel that buzzes or crackles. Electrical systems should be silent.

Burn marks or discoloration around breakers. That’s evidence of arcing, which means fire risk.

The smell of burning plastic or hot metal near the panel. If you smell it, something is actively overheating.

Any of these warrant a call. Several of them together mean you probably should have called already.

Why Panels Fail

Age is part of it. Components wear out. Connections loosen. Breakers get weak.

But mostly it’s capacity. The panel was designed for a certain load. Decades of additions pushed it past that limit. Every new appliance, every upgraded AC unit, every bathroom exhaust fan added draw that the original system wasn’t built to handle.

Some homes also have panels that were problematic from the start. Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels were installed in thousands of Houston homes and both have known safety issues. If your panel has either name on it, replacement isn’t optional. It’s overdue.

What an Upgrade Actually Does

A new panel gives your home room to breathe. More circuits. Higher capacity. Modern breakers that actually trip when they’re supposed to.

We typically install 200-amp panels for residential upgrades. That’s enough headroom for current needs plus future additions. Want to add a hot tub next year? The panel can handle it. Thinking about a backup generator? There’s space for the transfer switch. Planning to finally redo the kitchen with all the appliances you’ve been eyeing? No problem.

Beyond capacity, new panels are simply safer. Better connections. More reliable breakers. Arc fault and ground fault protection where code requires it. Everything up to current standards instead of whatever passed inspection thirty years ago.

The Work Itself

Panel upgrades aren’t weekend projects. They require permits, coordination with the utility company, and work that needs to be done correctly the first time.

We start by evaluating your current system. Not just the panel but the service entrance, the grounding, the main feeds. Sometimes the panel is fine but the service needs upgrading. Sometimes it’s both. We figure out exactly what your house needs before we quote anything.

The actual replacement typically takes a day. We coordinate the power shutoff with CenterPoint, remove the old panel, install the new one, reconnect all circuits, and test everything before restoring power. You’ll be without electricity for several hours but you’ll have a completely new system by evening.

After installation we handle the inspection. City of Houston requires it for panel work and we make sure everything passes the first time.

Why This Matters Beyond Convenience

Nobody upgrades their panel because they’re excited about electrical infrastructure. They do it because something forced the issue. Breakers that won’t stop tripping. An insurance company that flagged the old panel. A contractor who said the kitchen remodel can’t happen until the electrical catches up.

But here’s what actually changes after an upgrade. You stop thinking about it.

No more resetting breakers. No more wondering if that flickering light means something bad. No more hesitating to run the microwave while the AC is on. The house just works the way it’s supposed to work.

And you stop carrying that low-grade worry about whether your electrical system might burn your house down. That worry is more common than people admit. Once the new panel goes in, it goes away.

Why Homeowners Call Us

Illuminations Lighting Design started in landscape lighting, but electrical work has always been at the core of what we do. You can’t install professional lighting systems without understanding power distribution, load calculation, and proper wiring practices.

Our electricians are licensed, experienced, and familiar with Houston’s specific requirements. They’ve seen every type of panel failure this climate produces. They know what corners other contractors cut and they don’t cut them.

We explain what we find in plain language. We tell you what needs to happen and why. We don’t upsell work you don’t need and we don’t minimize problems you do have.

When the job is done, it’s done right. Permitted, inspected, and built to last.

If your panel has been showing signs of strain, or if you just haven’t had it looked at in years and you’re curious what shape it’s in, we’re happy to take a look. Sometimes the news is good. Sometimes it’s time for an upgrade. Either way, you’ll know what you’re dealing with.