Is your Electrical Panel Ready For the Future?

Before planning additional loads to your electrical service, you should find out if your electrical panel is ready for the future.  New residential construction brings a host of technological upgrades to homes built in the greater Seattle Area.

Additional Requirements:

There are additional requirements for residential builders and re-modelers in Western Washington.  For example, Redmond Washington residential building permit requirements include updated standards for GFCI’s, or ground fault circuit interrupter outlets.   Also, the code requires you to protect your system by type-1 or type-2 surge protective devices.  If you build a home in the Puget Sound region it might have the potential for a backup power generator that will require emergency disconnects and a transfer switch.  According to the National Electric code or NEC, outdoor emergency disconnects are required for new construction,  This also covers service changes or homes being renovated.  This change assures that first responders will be safe when attending to electrical hazards caused by house fires or natural disasters.    You also might want to get a new electric vehicle, which requires a dedicated circuit.  If your panel is older and completely full, this could be an issue.

How to Find Out if Your Electrical System is Ready.

If you are wondering how to find out if your home’s electrical system is ready, it’s not as difficult as you think.  In the time of COVID, B&G Electrical Contracting is providing free, no contact virtual estimates.  Initial inspection of your panel can be as simple as emailing us a picture of your open electrical panel.   You can do that here.   You can easily upgrade your panel to handle additional circuits.  If your panel is full we might even be able to add a sub panel for extra circuits.  Also, sub panels require a certain amount of electrical potential as well as room for the panel itself.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel.

There are many reasons why you should upgrade you electrical panel.  These include safety and convenience, as well as having the piece of mind for the future.  A capable panel will ready your home for any future electrical requirements.   For example, municipal codes change all the time and it is important to stay up to date.  An upgrade to your electrical panel makes it easy for whatever new standards may come about.   If you are interested in getting a free quote for a panel upgrade or sub panel installation, contact B&G Electrical Contracting today.