Residential and Commercial

If you currently own a home or business with an older electrical panel you might be wondering if there are any significant advantages to upgrading your electrical panel or simply just cleaning it up with a new, more safe panel. Replacing your electrical panel will ensure you an adequate supply of clean electricity whenever you need it. It will also help protect your electronics from damage and even eliminate one of the more common electrical fire hazards.

Circuit Capacity

A major renovation or new appliance may require that you will need to upgrade to a new panel. Doing so will allow you to facilitate more circuits and safety features. If considering a large renovation such as adding a garage, renewing your kitchen or finishing a basement. You will need to have sufficient circuit capacity. Consider any additional breakers you will need to power the new circuits. Adding appliances such as a hot tub, air conditioner, or electric vehicle charging may also require that you upgrade your electrical panel.

Safety Features

Installing a new electrical panel will allow you to update your home with all the latest safety features. General rule of thumb is that panels be replaced every 25-30 years, if your home falls in this age range its time to start thinking of the safety concerns associated with that old panel. This eliminates the potential risk of electrical shock, arcs or worse- risk of a fire. AFCI breakers are now enforced by electrical code. Not only do AFCI breakers limit circuit ampacity, they also provide a added safety measure for circuits that could be arcing within the walls. This arcing can lead to a house fire.

Aluminum wiring

Upgrading a electrical panel to take advantage of AFCI breakers protecting aluminum wiring. Combination AFCI breakers can also add an additional layer of protection to homes with aluminum wiring. Using AFCI breakers and “pig tailing” connections at devices and fixtures can protect against loosening wire connections.

Electrical Load Capacity

With the changing times and required electrical loads of new home necessities, some insurance companies are mandating that the main electrical panel be at least 200 amp rated. This that means if you have a 60 or 100 amp electrical panel you will be need to replace it to be compliant.

This may also include changing out the service mast, under ground or overhead service conductors and the meter base. 

Increase Resale Value

When selling a home you may not get your asking price if potential buyers feel there is too much updating needed to justify your homes value. Replacing the electrical panel helps build buyer confidence as it is one thing that the new owners wont have to change. It also shows that you have taken initiative to routinely maintain and repair.

Upgrading your home or business to LED lighting has never been a better idea than today.  With a full LED home/business upgrade customers will see savings between 40 and 80%. Not only the day to day savings but BC Hydro offers rebates for you to cut back on your communities energy footprint!

Greater Efficiency

LEDs emit very little heat (approximately 5% of their energy). In comparison, fluorescent lights release 90% of their energy as heat, and CFLs release approximately 80% of their energy as heat. This means that LED bulbs will not only work better, but they’ll also result in much lower long-term costs.

Options for Lighting Color

LED bulbs are extremely versatile and come in a variety of color and lighting options that are well suited for different applications. This creates safe and productive workspaces, and a home ambiance that matches your preferences. 

Reliability

One of the biggest benefits of LED bulbs is that they are very dependable and don’t require any maintenance. They can last over 40,000 operating hours! This means you’ll spend less time changing faulty lights, which not only saves you time, but also gives you big savings, particularly in a commercial or industrial setting.

Energy-efficient

LED lights are extremely energy-efficient. So while their initial cost may be higher than for other lighting options, the return on investment will definitely be worth it. You will begin to see the benefits very soon after your upgrade.

Enhanced Safety

LED lights are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion and accidental house fires, keeping you and your family safer.

Homes, Multi- Unit Strata's, and Businesses should all look to take advantage of these savings and advantages by upgrading their lighting!