Home Electrical Services

Panel upgrades are one way to add safety and convenience to your home.

What is a Panel Upgrade?

A panel upgrade involves replacing your old fuse panel with a new, more convenient circuit breaker panel.

Why Upgrade to a Breaker Panel?

There are several reasons why a breaker panel makes more sense than a fuse panel. First, circuit breakers are easier to reset than fuses. They can also be safer – it is easy to replace a blown fuse with one that is the wrong size. And finally, many fuse panels are just not equipped to handle the electrical needs of today’s homes. Pay attention to these signs you may to upgrade your panel:

• frequently blown fuses
• dimming/flickering lights
• burning/buzzing/cracking coming from the electrical panel

Things to Know Before You Book a Panel Upgrade

• It typically takes our licensed electricians less than one day to complete a panel change.
• The ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) requires a permit for this job, and your local utility will require that power be cut to your home until the panel is switched.
• A 100-amp is usually enough, but if you think a pool or hot tub is in your future, it might be wise to upgrade to a larger panel.
• The cost is far less than replacing a roof, windows, or heating/cooling units.

Fuse vs Circuit Breaker: Which is Best?

 

In this fuse vs circuit breaker breakdown, you’ll find which is safer, the differences between fuses and circuit breakers, and the cost of a panel upgrade.

Homes in Ontario built between the mid 1960s and late 1970s may have aluminum wiring.

• Properly installed and maintained aluminum wiring isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but there are some big differences between aluminum and copper wiring. Aluminum wiring requires more maintenance, and is more prone to overheating and failure.
• The absolute best option is to re-wire your home with copper, but you can choose to have repairs or maintenance done instead. Get in touch with us at Kraun, and we can help you determine the best solution for your home.

From the 1880s to the 1930s, people relied on knob and tube wiring to bring electricity into their homes.

• Unfortunately, knob & tube wiring doesn’t meet safety standards anymore. Most insurance companies won’t provide coverage for homes with knob and tube wiring, meaning these will need to be fully re-wired with copper.
• Benefits of upgrading from knob & tube are undeniable, and include more electrical capacity, added safety, and less overloading of circuits.

Niagara’s Only Tesla-Recommended Home Charging Installer

• If you’ve recently purchased an electric vehicle, you’ll want to get an Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) installed in your garage, outside your home, or at your office.
• We install ALL makes of electrical vehicle charging stations, including Tesla, Flo, and ChargePoint.
• Not sure if your electrical panel can handle the newly added charging station? Let one of our Licensed Electricians assess your situation and find the best solution for you. Your requirements will depend on the charging system in the car. Installing the right charger for your car will ensure that you can charge quickly and efficiently. In most cases, you will not need a panel upgrade, but in some high capacity vehicles you may need a panel upgrade to put your vehicle’s charging capabilities to full use.

Improve your home and enjoy the experience.

• Excited for your renovation, but dreading working with the contractor? At Kraun, we value our customers above all else. We’re happy to answer any question, and we work hard to make sure you are completely satisfied with the outcome of your project. We love seeing your vision come together.
• If you’re looking for a great contractor to partner with on your next home renovation project, contact Kraun Home Electric today.

Add safety, character, and ambience to your home.

• Lighting is one of the highest impact improvements you can make to your home. Adding lighting to an outdoor space extends its use into the evening, undercabinet lighting in your kitchen can make meal prep much more enjoyable, and adding a dimmer switch can set the right atmosphere for a dinner party with friends.
• Whatever your lighting needs are, our licensed electricians can work with you to determine the right solution. Contact us today.

Dreaming of adding a pool or hot tub to your home? Make sure you plan for any added electrical needs.

A pool or hot tub can add hours of enjoyment to your home life. However, it is important to make sure your electrical panel is able to handle additional load. Not sure? Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our licensed residential electricians.

• Generators
• Power Walls
• Contact us to find out more.