Replacing the panel
When the breaker box has no empty slots, a larger panel on the same utility service often carries everything you're planning, and that's a smaller job. When the numbers show the house needs more power, we price a service upgrade as its own line so you can compare the two.
… Jesse and the team replaced our breaker panel, bringing everything up to code, and also wired our new hot tub. We knew the breaker panel needed to be replaced prior to the quote, and one of the best things we received from 4 Point Electric was a statement on the quote that read, "We wouldn't feel comfortable wiring the hot tub without updating the panel." This highlighted 4 Point's integrity and was honestly a major factor in choosing them for the project. …
Older panels we replace
Sixty percent of Springfield's homes and about half of Eugene's were built before 1980, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Panels from those years tend to be full, and brands like Zinsco and Federal Pacific come up often on home inspection reports. If yours is one of them, we'll show you what we see and what replacing it involves.
What happens on install day
The utility shuts the power off at the meter while we swap the panel, so we set the date with them. We take care of the electrical permit, move each circuit to the new panel, label every breaker, and call for the inspection. Ben did the install when R H. upgraded a 54-year-old panel to 200 amps with a generator hookup:
… The electrician, Ben, showed up on time and began prepping the workspace while he waited on the power company to pull the power meter. The electrician worked all day from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. I never even saw the guy take a break to eat lunch or relax. He was diligent in his duties. If he had questions about the install or wanted to run something by me, he communicated those things to me in an efficient manner.
At the end of the day when he was done, Ben cleaned up the workspace and removed every bit of trash and debris. …
Before we leave, we walk you through the new panel: which breaker runs what, and how to reset one.
… Ben was very oatient answering questions and teaching me how to use the new panel. …
Rebates and loans for panel work
If EWEB supplies your power, its Electric Service Upgrade Assistance Program offers residential customers "up to a $20,000 zero-percent interest loan" for panel or meter base replacement due to load growth or failure. Our service upgrade guide lists what each local utility offers.