“What experiences have you had with this?”

According to Nearby Engineers, electrical panels are designed to last about 25 to 40 years. However, if your home’s electricity needs increase due to modern renovations, you may need to look for a replacement sooner rather than later.

A Reddit conversation highlighted the importance of an updated electrical panel for safety, efficiency, and power outage prevention.

The shovel

In a post to r/Homeowners, a Reddit user asked for advice about switching from a 100 amp panel to a 200 amp panel in his 1,300 square foot home. They had a few unused panels on a 24 panel circuit breaker and wanted to get some work done.

“Some electricians recommend upgrading, others say it’s not necessary,” the original poster reads. “What experiences have you had with this?”

Electricians quoted the homeowner about $3,000 to upgrade the panel.

Several Reddit users recommended that the homeowner move forward with the electrical panel upgrade, especially since the homeowner was planning on updating their kitchen. A Redditor who has remodeled many old kitchens shared that new kitchens require more circuitry than is typically present.

How it helps

Electrifying your home and completing electrification upgrades is beneficial for many reasons. This is one of the best ways to save money on monthly electricity bills while protecting the environment by reducing harmful gases released into the atmosphere.

Home electrification upgrades improve air quality and reduce harmful carbon pollution when you invest in sustainable appliances like induction cookers.

Since the OP was concerned about electrician quotes, it would be beneficial for him to look at Rewiring America’s free online tools. Rewiring America offers resources for comparing costs, finding reputable contractors, and affording electrification upgrades with valuable tax incentives.

🗣️ How much is your electricity bill every month?

🔘 Less than $100 😎

🔘 Between $100 and $200 💵

🔘 Over $200 💸

🔘 I’m not sure 🤷

🗳️ Click on your selections to see the results and express your opinion

Although federal tax incentives continue to be offered through the Inflation Reduction Act, savings from electrification may not be available forever. President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he will eliminate these subsidies, although doing so would ultimately require an act from Congress. Therefore, it is wiser to make electrical updates now rather than wait and miss out on savings later.

What people say

Redditors encouraged the homeowner to make the upgrade and discussed the benefits of going electric.

“You could get an electric car, you could replace your gas stove with an electric stove, you could get an electric dryer — “All things that would be difficult or impossible on a 100 amp panel,” one user wrote.

“Take the upgrade… it brings newer security features,” another Redditor recommended. “Upgrade as it will likely flesh out decades of hacked work and likely dangers.”

“If you already have a large scope of work for an electrical contractor, this is probably the best time to do it as they will already be doing large jobs on site,” someone else suggested. “FYI: There is a new tax credit for panel upgrades.”

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