The microwave and space heater are on and your breaker has to trip? Or perhaps you have a fuse box that is more of an anachronism than anything else. With winter not far off in Lenawee County, you may be mulling over putting in a generator or an EV charger.
Then you will find what you are looking for here. We at Current Craft Electric are a small operation out of Adrian; you will not be put in touch with some remote office when we come to do panel work for our customers in the county. In this article we cover how to make a sensible upgrade and why fall is the season for it. Or if you prefer to have a conversation about it, give us a ring at (517) 888-7193.
Why Make Your Move in the Fall
There is a good reason to put an upgrade on the calendar now, before the months that are the harshest and most taxing on your system. The home will be drawing more power as the temperature drops: the furnace will be running, you will be using the space heaters and putting up holiday lights. Should your panel be close to its limit already, the extra load will be the last straw.
By taking care of it you avoid any January scramble and can plan the project in a measured way rather than put out a fire after the fact.
When to Have a Look at Your Panel
An electrician is not required to spot the trouble. Some of the more telling signs are:
- Breakers going off with any frequency, particularly with more than one appliance in use
- An old fuse box where there should be a modern panel
- Lights that dim or flicker at the turn on of a big appliance
- Any warmth or even a hint of burning from the panel
- Corrosion, scorching or rust in the vicinity
- A lack of room for new circuits
- Making do with extension cords and power strips for want of an outlet
Any of the above is cause to have the panel inspected before you put further demand on it.
Upgrades You Can Plan For
In most cases the panel is but a means to an end. It is the first order of business for something larger you have had in mind. So consider the whole of it in the fall so your new panel has the capacity for what is planned.
We see plenty of homeowners who need a sound panel for projects such as:
- Standby generators
- Putting in an EV charger
- More indoor or outdoor lighting
- Ceiling fans requiring their own wiring
- New switches and outlets for rooms short on them
- Finishing a basement or an addition that will be a power draw
With those in place we can put together a panel that is right for your needs now and later.
The Process
How much time does it entail? That is a question we get a lot. A residential panel upgrade is done in a day in the majority of instances. But then no two homes are alike; it is a matter of your wiring, the demand you have and the upgrades you wish to do.
What you will find with Current Craft Electric is you are talking to the production manager and the electricians that will be there to do the job. There is no call center or a succession of subcontractors to be passed around. Our 20 years plus of experience in the field, both commercial and residential, is what we put to work in Lenawee County, whether it is an outlet or a full replacement.
On the Subject of Budget
We are aware that the timing of a sizeable investment does not always suit the budget. Qualifying projects can be put on flexible financing so the payments are manageable. You can also count on a free estimate with us to know exactly what you are up against before making any decisions.
Time to Put Pen to Paper
Your panel is wearing its years or you have some ideas for the coming months? This is the time of year to do something about it. Current Craft Electric is in the office from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday serving Adrian, Tecumseh, Saline and all of Lenawee County. Call (517) 888-7193 for a free estimate and to speak with the crew.
