Electrical
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Upgrade an old 60, 100 or 150 amp panel to 200 amp service so your home can safely run an EV charger, heat pump, solar or battery backup. Our licensed electricians handle the load calculation, permit, utility coordination and inspection.
Updated
When to upgrade
Signs your panel needs an upgrade
Breakers trip often
If breakers trip when the dryer, microwave or space heater runs, the panel or circuits are overloaded.
Fuses or 100 amp service
Fuse boxes and 60 or 100 amp services were sized for homes with far fewer electric loads than today.
New big loads
An EV charger, heat pump, electric range, hot tub or shop often needs more capacity than an older service has.
No open spaces
A full panel with doubled-up or tandem breakers leaves no safe room to add circuits.
Warm, buzzing or rusty
Heat, buzzing, scorch marks or corrosion inside the panel are reasons to call an electrician soon.
Older problem brands
Some older panel brands, such as Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco, have known breaker problems and are often replaced.
100 vs. 200 amps
How much service does your home need?
Many older Midwest homes still have 100 amp service. That can be enough for a gas-heated home with a few big appliances, but it fills up fast once you add an EV charger, an electric range or a heat pump.
A 200 amp service is the common choice for homes adding electric loads, and it leaves room for solar and battery backup. We size the upgrade from a load calculation, not a guess.
Not every home needs a bigger service. When the numbers are close, a SPAN smart panel or a load management device can manage big loads so you avoid a utility service change.
How it works
How a panel upgrade works
Site visit and load calculation
We look at your panel, meter, grounding and service entrance, and list the loads you have now and plan to add.
Fixed written quote
You get a written price for the panel, any service or meter base work, permits and inspection.
Permit and utility scheduling
We pull the electrical permit and set the disconnect and reconnect date with your utility when needed.
Install day
Most upgrades take one day. Power is off for several hours while we replace the panel and label every circuit.
Inspection and power back on
The inspector signs off, the utility restores service and your home is ready for new loads.
Pricing
What affects the cost of a panel upgrade
Every home is different, so we quote after a site visit. The biggest cost drivers are:
- Panel size and brand, and how many circuits you need
- Whether the meter base and utility service line also need upgrading
- Moving the panel to a new location
- Grounding and bonding updates to meet current code
- Permit and inspection fees in your city
If you are also adding solar, a battery, a generator or an EV charger, we design the panel work into one project so you pay for one upgrade, not two.
Panel upgrade questions
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Common signs are breakers that trip often, a fuse box or 60 or 100 amp service, no open breaker spaces, a panel that feels warm or buzzes, and plans to add an EV charger, heat pump, electric range or solar. We do a load calculation on site and tell you if you need a new panel, a service upgrade or neither.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most home panel upgrades are done in one day. Your power is off for several hours while we swap the panel, and the utility schedules its own disconnect and reconnect when the meter or service line changes.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Yes. A panel or service upgrade needs an electrical permit and inspection. We pull the permit, coordinate with your utility and schedule the inspection for you.
Can I add an EV charger without upgrading my panel?
Sometimes. A Level 2 charger usually needs a 40 to 60 amp circuit. If the load calculation shows room, we add the circuit. If not, a load management device or a smart panel can avoid a full service upgrade. We will show you both options.
Does solar require a panel upgrade?
Not always. Under the electrical code, the main breaker plus the solar breaker generally cannot exceed 120% of the panel bus rating. When it does, options include a supply-side connection, a main breaker change or a new panel. We design the connection as part of your solar quote.
Do you upgrade panels for homes that are not getting solar?
Yes. Our licensed electricians do panel and service upgrades on their own, for EV chargers, heat pumps, additions, generators and battery backup.
Do you serve my area?
We serve homes and businesses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado and Michigan.
Electrical Panels
Every home with electricity has an electrical panel. This panel distributes energy throughout your home to every room of your house through your home’s wiring, light switches, and outlets. When you add a green energy solar system to your home, this system is connected to your electrical panel. Modifications will need to be made to your electrical panel to make this connection. Wolf River Electric is a total home solution, so you won’t have to have an outside electrician make these modifications. We’ll do it as part of the total service we offer!
Electric Meters
Measuring the flow of electricity into and out of your home, an electric meter is essential for every grid-connected household in the Midwest. In traditional energy homes, this meter tracks your electricity usage (the power that enters your home and is consumed), which is then used to calculate your energy bills. In a solar powered home, the meter measures any additional grid power needed during deficiencies and the excess power sent back to the grid, which can result in financial credits. While the Midwest may not have as many sunny days as other regions, it still has great potential for solar power, making it a viable and beneficial option for homeowners.
Introducing A Smarter Electric Panel
When homeowners decide to enhance the resilience of their home with battery storage, they often face a challenging choice: which electrical loads should be backed up during a power outage? Despite the considerable progress made in battery technology, storage systems have limited capacity to provide uninterrupted power for the entire home during extended outages.
By using the Span Home App, the priority of circuits that need backup can be modified in real-time during power outages. When the battery runs low, non-essential loads will automatically shut down, freeing up more capacity for critical loads. Moreover, Span offers transparency to homeowners by providing an estimated remaining time for backup power based on their load priorities, battery capacity, and past usage trends within the home.
BUILT TO LAST
Rain or shine. Span is weather-resistant and can replace your outdoor electric panel.