ServicesPanel Upgrades
Panel Upgrades in Kennedale
If breakers trip when the air conditioner starts, or your panel has no room left for new circuits, we can help. We measure what your home actually uses, install a panel sized for it, and walk you through every breaker before we leave.
When a New Panel Makes Sense
Your electrical panel decides how much power your home can safely draw at once. Many panels were sized for a smaller load than today's homes carry. Central air, an electric dryer, a pool pump and an EV charger running together can push an older panel past what it was built to handle. A panel upgrade replaces that box with one rated for the way you live now.
An upgrade isn't always the answer, and we'll say so. If one breaker is worn or a single connection has loosened, a repair may be all you need. If the panel shows heat damage, has run out of breaker spaces, or is a model with a poor safety record, replacement is the safer choice. We look first, explain what we found in plain words, and let you decide.
On a hot North Texas afternoon, the air conditioner is usually the heaviest load in the house, so we size your new panel for August, not April.
What Comes With a Panel Upgrade
A load calculation done properly
We total your appliances, heating and cooling and any plans you share, such as a shop, hot tub or EV. That figure sizes the new panel, so you don't pay for extra amperage or end up short.
A new panel with new breakers
The old panel comes out and a new one goes in with fresh breakers. Circuits that current code says need arc-fault or ground-fault protection get those breakers.
A check of the service and ground
We look over the meter base, service entrance cable, grounding and bonding. A new panel fed by a rusty meter base or a poor ground leaves the real problem in place, so we check what supplies it as well.
Permit, inspection and power company
We get the permit and book the inspection as your local jurisdiction requires. If the utility has to disconnect and reconnect your service, we arrange the timing with them.
Breaker labels that make sense
Each breaker is labeled with the room or appliance it runs. When something trips later, you'll know right away which one to look at.
Clues That Your Panel Needs Replacing
The AC starting up trips a breaker
An occasional trip means the breaker is working. A trip every time the compressor starts, or each time the dryer and microwave run at once, says the panel or circuit is carrying too much.
Warmth, a hum or a scorched smell
A warm cover, a constant buzz or burn marks near a breaker point to connections that are loose or breaking down. Shut off what you can and get a visit on the calendar soon.
Every breaker slot is taken
Tandem breakers or two wires under one screw are signs someone squeezed in extra circuits. Once a panel is that full, adding something new safely usually calls for a bigger one.
Corrosion or water inside the box
Panels mounted outside face years of rain and humid air. Rust on breakers or bus bars slowly loosens the connections.
Big appliances make the lights dip
When lights flicker or fade as a large appliance starts, the panel or service may be struggling with the demand.
A major project is on the way
An EV charger, an addition, a generator or a battery backup system often asks for more capacity than an older panel offers. Upgrading first keeps the project moving.
What Happens on an Upgrade
- 1
We come look it over
We open the panel, test the connections, check the meter base and ground, and ask how your household uses power. You see what we see before we suggest anything.
- 2
You get the estimate in writing
The itemized estimate lists the panel size, breakers and any added work such as a new meter base or grounding upgrades. Nothing gets added later unless you approve it.
- 3
We file the permit and pick a date
We file for the permit and choose a day that suits you. If the utility must shut off service at the meter, we arrange it so it only happens once.
- 4
Installation day
Expect the power to be off most of the day. We warn you in advance so you can plan for the fridge and any medical equipment. Floors get covered, the work area stays neat and we clean up before leaving.
- 5
Inspection and a tour of the panel
After the inspector approves the work, we show you the new panel, the main shutoff and the labels. We treat your house the way we'd want a neighbor to treat ours, and that means you leave with answers instead of guesses.
What Sets the Price of a New Panel
We price a panel upgrade only after seeing your setup, since neighboring houses can need very different work. The box is just one piece. The parts that feed it and surround it often affect the total more than the panel does.
- Amp rating and number of spaces
- Moving up to a larger service with more breaker spaces costs more than replacing like for like. The load calculation shows which your home truly needs.
- Shape of the meter base and service wire
- A corroded meter base or service entrance cable too small for the new panel gets replaced as well, which may bring the utility into the job.
- Where the panel sits
- A panel in an open garage swaps faster than one set in a finished wall or closet. Moving a panel to meet clearance rules adds labor and material.
- Code-required breakers
- Today's code requires arc-fault and ground-fault protection on many circuits. These breakers cost more than standard ones, and how many you need depends on your circuits.
- Permit fees and fixes
- Each jurisdiction sets its own permit fees. If existing wiring won't pass inspection, we show you and price that fix on its own so the choice is yours.
Common Questions About New Panels
Something not covered here? (682) 841-6649
How much time does swapping a panel take?
A typical swap fills most of one workday, and the house is without power for a good part of it. Adding a meter base, moving the panel or extra grounding work can stretch that out. Your estimate includes an honest time frame so you can plan the day.
Will you get the permit?
We will. We file for the permit and book the inspection the way your local jurisdiction requires, so there's no need for you to contact the city or the power company.
Does an EV charger require a 200-amp panel?
Not in every case. Some panels have enough room left for a charger and some don't. A load calculation settles it, and we give you the honest result before you pay for an upgrade. The charger itself is covered on our EV Charger Installation page.
If my breakers trip a lot, is a new panel the fix?
Possibly not. A single overloaded circuit, a failing appliance or a tired breaker can all cause repeat trips, and those fall under electrical repair. We test before recommending anything and suggest a new panel only when the panel is what's failing.
Could my old panel be unsafe?
Certain older panel models are known for breakers that don't trip when they should, and heat damage or corrosion in any panel needs a look. If we see either, you'll get photos and a plain explanation of the risk. If your panel checks out, we'll say so, and a Torque & Cleans visit may be enough.
Is a new panel a good time to add surge protection?
Yes, since the panel is open anyway. A whole-home surge protector mounts at the panel to help shield appliances and electronics. Our Surge Protection page explains more, and it goes on your estimate only if you request it.
Ready for a Panel That Keeps Up With Your Home?
Tell us what's tripping, what you're planning, or just what worries you about the old box. We'll set up a visit, look it over with you and explain your options before any work begins.