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When it comes to your home’s electrical system, one question I hear all the time as a master electrician here in Fort Myers is:
“Do I need a subpanel, or should I just upgrade my main electrical panel?”
It’s a great question — and an important one. Both panels do similar jobs, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference can help you make smarter decisions about your home’s electrical setup, especially if you’re adding a pool, a workshop, or expanding your living space.
Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can decide what’s right for your Fort Myers home.
Your main electrical panel — sometimes called a service panel or breaker box — is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It’s the first stop for electricity coming from the utility company.
From there, the main panel distributes power through circuits to every room, light, and appliance in your home.
New to panel basics and breaker terminology? Our Fort Myers guide — the panels FAQ — explains capacity, labeling, and safety in plain language.
Receives Power from the Utility – Electricity flows from your meter into the main breaker panel.
Controls All Circuits in the Home – Each breaker in the panel protects one circuit.
Provides a Safety Shut-Off – The “main breaker” allows you to shut off power to the entire home in case of an emergency.
In most modern Fort Myers homes, the main service is rated at 150 amps or 200 amps, though older houses may still have 100-amp panels — which are often too small for today’s power needs.
If your panel is more than 25 years old, you may want to read our guide: Choosing 150A vs. 200A for Fort Myers Homes.
A subpanel (or satellite panel) is a smaller distribution panel that’s connected to your main panel. It doesn’t bring in new power from the utility — instead, it takes power from your main service and routes it to a specific area or purpose.
Think of it as an extension of your main panel.
If your subpanel is feeding a detached garage or future EV charging, see our step-by-step on running conduit to garages for safe, Florida-proof installs.
Detached garages or workshops
Pool and spa equipment
Home additions or guest houses
Outdoor kitchens or lanai circuits
Heavy equipment circuits (e.g., for EV chargers or mini-split systems)
By installing a subpanel, you can add circuits closer to where they’re needed — without overloading your main panel or running long, expensive wiring back to it.
A subpanel is connected to your main panel by a feeder breaker and sub-feed wires.
The feeder breaker (in your main panel) controls power to the subpanel.
The subpanel then distributes that power across multiple circuits — just like your main panel does, but on a smaller scale.
For example, if you install a subpanel for a detached garage, it might feed:
Overhead lights
Garage door opener
Air compressor
Outlet circuits
240V equipment (like welders or EV chargers)
If you just need a single appliance on its own line (like a freezer or workshop tool), a subpanel might be overkill — consider adding dedicated circuits to prevent overloads and nuisance trips.
A subpanel can make your electrical system more organized, efficient, and safer — but it’s not for every situation.
✅ You’ve added a detached building (like a garage, workshop, or guest suite).
✅ You’re adding a pool or spa that requires its own dedicated circuits.
✅ Your main panel is full, but you don’t need a full service upgrade.
✅ You want to separate specific areas of your home (e.g., an in-law suite).
In many Fort Myers homes, subpanels are added during remodeling projects or outdoor upgrades. They make wiring cleaner and reduce strain on the main panel.
Sometimes a subpanel isn’t the best solution. If your home’s main panel is outdated or overloaded, you’re better off upgrading the main service altogether.
Your current panel is 100 amps or less.
Breakers are tripping frequently.
You have obsolete panels (like Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger).
You’re adding major electrical loads (HVAC, EV charger, pool heater, etc.).
There’s visible rust or corrosion inside the panel.
A modern 200-amp main panel will give you plenty of room for current and future electrical needs — and can still feed subpanels if needed.
Seeing rusted bus bars, heat discoloration, or recalled equipment? Use our Fort Myers guide to spot unsafe panels so you can decide whether a full main panel upgrade is the safer move.
One of our recent projects involved a Fort Myers homeowner adding a new pool and spa system. Their existing 150-amp main panel was in good condition but already near capacity.
Instead of replacing the whole panel, we installed a 60-amp outdoor subpanel near the pool equipment pad.
That subpanel powers:
The pool pump
Pool heater
LED lighting
Automation controls
GFCI-protected outlets
By separating these loads, the homeowner avoided overloading their main panel — and now has a convenient, code-compliant way to manage all their pool systems in one place.
Here’s why adding a subpanel can make sense for Fort Myers homeowners:
Improved Organization – Circuits are grouped logically by area (garage, pool, addition, etc.).
Reduced Overload Risk – Distributes electrical load more evenly.
Shorter Wire Runs – Saves labor and materials for distant circuits.
Expansion Flexibility – Easier to add new equipment in the future.
Local Control – Lets you shut off power to a specific area without affecting the whole house.
Any electrical panel or subpanel installation in Fort Myers requires a permit and inspection from the city or Lee County. This ensures the installation:
Meets National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
Has properly sized feeders, breakers, and grounding conductors.
Includes GFCI/AFCI protection where required.
Is weather-rated (especially for outdoor or pool subpanels).
At Coharbor Electric, we handle all permits, utility coordination, and inspections — so your system is safe, compliant, and ready for use.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which is right for your Fort Myers home:
| Situation | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|
| You’re adding a detached garage or pool | Install a subpanel |
| Your panel is full but still in good shape | Add a subpanel |
| Your panel is rusted, outdated, or recalled | Upgrade main panel |
| You’re adding an EV charger or solar system | Upgrade main panel |
| You’re planning a large addition | Upgrade main panel + add subpanel |
If you’re not sure, a home electrical inspection can give you a clear answer. We’ll evaluate your system’s load, age, and safety before recommending the best path forward.
At Coharbor Electric, we specialize in panel upgrades, subpanel installations, and electrical safety inspections for homeowners throughout Fort Myers and Lee County.
We provide:
Licensed, insured service with local permitting experience
Corrosion-resistant materials designed for Florida’s humidity
Code-compliant wiring and grounding
Clean, organized installations built to last
Whether you’re upgrading your main service or adding a subpanel for your next project, we’ll make sure your system is safe, efficient, and future-ready.
In short, your main panel is your home’s electrical backbone, while a subpanel acts as a convenient branch for specific areas or projects.
If you’re running out of breaker space, adding outdoor amenities, or building an addition, a subpanel may be the perfect solution. But if your panel is old, corroded, or undersized, upgrading your main service is the safer investment.
Either way, it’s crucial to have a licensed electrician inspect your system and guide you toward the right choice.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you determine whether your Fort Myers home needs a subpanel, a main panel upgrade, or both — and ensure your system is built for safety, code compliance, and years of reliable power.
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
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As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:
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