The kind of meter panel that your home uses can actually have a pretty big impact on the efficiency of your various systems, especially if most of them are electrical. If you’re using a 100 amp electrical panel right now, you might want to consider upgrading to a 200 amp panel. Let’s have a look at some of the advantages you can garner from upgrading your panel.

Capacity is one of the biggest differences between 100 and 200 amp panels. The larger the panel, the more electrical current your home can receive from the city’s power grid. This is important if you have a lot of electrical appliances in your home, like furnaces and stoves.

Even if you don’t have quite as many large electrical systems, it might be a good idea to upgrade if you use a lot of electrical appliances. Your TV, refrigerator, and the like need electricity to function, too. Upgrading to a 200 amp panel will make more electrical power available to appliances that need it, boosting their efficiency and effectiveness.

200 amp service panels are also physically larger than their older, 100 amp counterparts. This is because they have more circuits, which is a big advantage in a home that uses a lot of electricity. You don’t want to cram a bunch of systems and appliances on to a small number of circuits if you don’t have to, as it increases the chance of overloading them. A lower overload chance means a safer electrical system overall, one less prone to fires and short circuits. For this reason alone, it is probably a good idea to upgrade to a larger amp service panel.

If you are living in an older home, chances are you have a lower amp panel. 200 has been the standard for most homes since the ‘80s. If you live in a home constructed in prior decades, though, you should definitely have a professional examine your panel to see if it’s worth replacing. Even if you do live in a more modern home, it’s possible that you don’t have a 200 amp service panel installed. If you don’t know how to identify the size of the panel, have a professional evaluate it for you and see if they recommend an upgrade. No harm in making sure, after all.

Anderson Electric Corp. provides a full range of electrical service panel upgrades in Montclair, NJ. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert electricians. We’ll make sure that your home gets the best electric service panel for your needs.