No matter the time of year, it’s never a bad idea to upgrade your circuit breaker. You know, it’s that big metal box down in your basement or in the garage where you flip switches when there’s an anomaly with the flow of electricity in your home or to an appliance.
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Circuit breakers are a silent partner in your home that you will easily forget is around until something happens. But if you don’t have one or you don’t have a very good one, you’re sure to find out just how essential these unassuming silent partners are to the health of your home. Here’s why it is definitely in your best interest to upgrade your electrical panel.
1. Safety
If for no other reason at all, a great Square D 50 amp breaker is in your house to protect it. An upgraded panel can better handle the electrical burdens that modern living creates. In older homes, the circuits were usually a total of 30 to 60 amps, but this is not nearly enough for a home in the 2020s. Nowadays we have more appliances and more devices to pull electricity. The higher demand can overload the circuit breaker and trip to avoid overheating and decrease the likelihood of an electrical fire. Upgrading an electrical panel also involves the fuses, and the wiring and improves the fire safety of your home.
2. More Consistent Power
As time moves forward, humans are using more and more power. In the last 25 years there has been a huge leap in technology. Homes now have electric vehicles, more televisions, desktop computers and laptops, cell phones, tablets, portable speakers and a whole lot more. If an electrical system is unable to take this strain, the breaker will constantly tip, fuses will need replacing and brown outs can occur. An updated circuit breaker can put an end to the flickering lights, constant trips to the breaker box and trying to remember not to run the vacuum and the washing machine at the same time.
3. Increased Home Value
Resale values matter to every homeowner. Whether you’re in your forever home or not, it’s nice to know that if you have to sell, you can come out on top. Sure, investing in a new circuit breaker is nowhere near as trendy and eye catching as new siding, a remodeled kitchen or even a fresh paint job, but it will significantly add to your home’s value. Old circuit breakers are a liability and potential homebuyers know it. It’s the kind of thing that can stick out like a sore thumb during a home inspection and lead a buyer to ask for a lower selling price.
If you’re looking to reap the benefits of having a new circuit breaker and say good-bye to the hassles of your old one, then consider making the investment today. When the air condition comes on, you’ll also be glad for that new circuit breaker, because an air conditioning unit is a big electrical pull. You’ll probably never even think about your circuit breaker once it’s upgraded, and that’s a great thought not to have to have.