If you’re not sure if you really need an electrical panel upgrade in Folsom, think about how your house is changing and what you’re adding to it. Whether you’re installing an EV charger, hot tub, building an ADU, or investing in new appliances and HVAs, an electrical panel upgrade can help get your house ready while keeping the electrical system safe.
The easiest way to know whether you need an upgrade is to have a licensed electrician evaluate your panel and electrical service. Our team at Rios & Burke Electric can inspect your existing equipment, look at current and planned electrical demand, and determine what your home actually needs.
How Do I Know If My Electrical Panel Needs to Be Upgraded?
Panels don’t always need to be upgraded, even if you are adding new appliances to your property. But there are some signs that it’s time to have your electrical panel checked. Watch for:
- Breakers that trip repeatedly
- Lights flickering when larger appliances turn on
- An electrical panel with no room for additional circuits
- Your home still has outdated or problematic electrical equipment
- You’re planning a remodel or major electrical addition
Keep in mind that a panel without open breaker spaces and an electrical service aren’t the same problem. One of our licensed electricians should evaluate the system instead of assuming you need an upgrade to 200 amps. As SMUD-certified contractors, Rios & Burke Electric can troubleshoot and inspect your system to figure out exactly what you need.
Do I Need a Panel Upgrade or a Full Electrical Service Upgrade?
Homeowners often hear the terms “panel upgrade” and “electrical service upgrade” used interchangeably. A panel replacement can replace outdated or damaged equipment without changing your home’s service capacity. But a service upgrade increases the amount of electrical capacity available to your home, like if you move from 100 amps to 200 amps. A service upgrade can also require changes to service wiring, the meter setup, or other electrical equipment, depending on the existing system. Tell our electricians about anything you plan to add that could increase electrical demand, such as an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or ADU.
Electrical Panel Upgrade FAQs
How do I know if I need an electrical panel upgrade?
Start with what your electrical system is doing now and what you’re planning to add. Frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, a panel with no room for additional circuits, or plans for an EV charger, remodel, hot tub, or major appliance can all be reasons to have it checked. That doesn’t automatically mean you need a larger service, though. Rios & Burke Electric can inspect the system and tell you what your home actually needs.
Do I need a 200-amp electrical panel for my Folsom home?
Not every home needs 200-amp service. The right kind of electrical capacity depends on your current load, the equipment in the home, and what you plan to add later. You also shouldn’t assume you need 200 amps just because you’re upgrading the panel. Our electricians can calculate what your home needs now and account for anything you plan to add later.
Can I upgrade my electrical panel before installing an EV charger?
Yes, and it makes sense to check on your panel before buying or scheduling the charger installation. Our team at Rios & Burke Electric installs EV charging equipment as well as panel and service upgrades, so the team can look at both parts of the project together. If the existing system can handle the charger safely, you may not need the upgrade you thought you did.
Do electrical panel upgrades in Folsom require a permit?
Electrical panel work usually needs the right permitting and inspection. Folsom currently handles permit applications and inspections through its eTRAKiT system. If the project also needs SMUD service or meter work, you might also need utility coordination as part of the process. Our electricians can explain which approvals your specific project needs rather than leaving you to figure it out after work starts.
How long will my power be off during an electrical panel upgrade?
Your outage will depend on the scope of the upgrade and whether utility work is involved. The timeline can also depend on inspections and SMUD coordination, not just the electrical work itself. Before scheduling, ask Rios & Burke Electric how long the planned outage should last. We can give you an idea about whether or not you need to make arrangements for refrigerated food, medical equipment, working from home, or anything else that needs continuous power.
Schedule an Electrical Panel Inspection in Folsom
You don’t need to guess whether your Folsom home needs a larger panel or a full service upgrade. Our team at Rios & Burke Electric can inspect the existing system, talk through what you plan to add, and recommend the right next step. With experience in panel and service upgrades plus upfront pricing, you’ll know what needs to be done and what it will cost before work begins.
Contact Rios & Burke Electric to schedule an electrical panel evaluation and estimate in Folsom, CA.