Electrical Upgrades FAQs

We get asked the same handful of questions every week. Doesn’t matter if it’s an old 1950s house or something built ten years ago — folks want to know what’s safe, what’s outdated, and what’s worth fixing first.

So, here’s our honest take. No fancy talk, no tech sales pitch. Just what we’ve learned crawling through attics, swapping panels, and fixing wiring for years at Coharbor Electric.

Q: How do I know if my home needs an upgrade?

Usually, your house will tell you.

Maybe your lights dim every time the AC kicks on. Maybe your microwave trips the breaker. Or maybe you’ve just got that one outlet that buzzes or feels a little warm.

Those are signs the wiring or panel’s working too hard.

Other giveaways:

• Two-prong outlets (no ground).

• Breakers that trip for no reason.

• A burning smell when big appliances are on.

• Or a panel that looks older than your dad’s pickup truck.

If you’re seeing any of that, it’s worth a look. Sometimes it’s just one weak circuit — other times it’s a system that’s ready for retirement.

Q: What’s the most important thing to upgrade?

If we had to pick one, we’d say the main panel.

That panel’s your home’s power heart. We still see 60-amp and 100-amp panels out there trying to feed homes full of smart TVs, dryers, fridges, and air conditioning. They’re maxed out before breakfast.

Most homes today need at least 150 to 200 amps. That gives you room to breathe — and room for the stuff you’ll probably add later (EV chargers, pools, maybe a new addition).

If your panel’s humming, rusted, or packed full of double-tapped breakers, that’s your starting point.

Q: Do I have to rewire the whole house?

Not always. That’s one of the biggest myths out there.

If your wiring’s copper and the insulation’s in good shape, we can often leave it alone and just upgrade the panel or circuits. But if it’s cloth-covered or aluminum, we’ll probably suggest replacing it — those materials just don’t hold up.

We’ve seen aluminum wiring look fine on the outside, but the minute we open a junction box, it’s black and brittle inside. That’s not something you patch — that’s something you fix properly.

Sometimes we do it in stages: start with the kitchen and high-use areas, then move to bedrooms later. No need to do it all at once if budget’s tight.

Q: How long does this kind of work take?

Depends on the job.

A panel upgrade? Usually a day.
Add a few dedicated circuits? Half a day, maybe.
A full rewire? Could be anywhere from three days to a week depending on the house.

We try to keep the lights on while we work. You might lose power in a room for a few hours, but we won’t leave you sitting in the dark.

Q: Can I add smart switches or an EV charger without tearing up my walls?

Yeah, in most cases you can.

We’ve added EV chargers and smart lighting to plenty of older homes. The trick’s managing the load. If your panel’s already close to full, we’ll use load management gear — smart devices that throttle usage so nothing trips.

Smart switches are easy too, even if your home doesn’t have neutral wires. There are models made just for that setup.

So no, you don’t have to gut your house to make it smart. You just need to plan it right.

Q: Why bother upgrading outlets and switches? They still work.

We get it — if it ain’t broke, why fix it, right?

Well, here’s the deal: new outlets have built-in safety features your old ones don’t. GFCIs protect you from shocks near water. AFCIs prevent electrical arcs inside walls. And tamper-resistant outlets keep kids from sticking stuff where it doesn’t belong.

Plus, modern outlets handle heavier loads better. Those $5 upgrades are a whole lot cheaper than replacing a burned-out appliance or worse.

Q: What about whole-home surge protection? Do I really need that?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

Lightning, power surges from the grid, even your own appliances — they all send voltage spikes through your wiring. A whole-home surge protector stops that before it wrecks your electronics.

We install one on almost every panel upgrade now. It’s small, cheap, and it can save thousands in damage.

Q: Can I do electrical upgrades myself?

Technically? Maybe.
Realistically? Don’t.

We’ve fixed enough “weekend projects” to know how they end — melted wire nuts, reversed polarity, breakers tripping nonstop. Electricity doesn’t give second chances.

Hire a pro. We’ve got the tools, code knowledge, and the experience to keep you safe. Plus, insurance companies usually require licensed work.

Q: What’s the first step if I think my house needs upgrades?

Simple — get an inspection.

We’ll take a look at your panel, outlets, and wiring. We’ll tell you what’s safe, what’s not, and what’s worth doing first.

Sometimes all you need is a new panel and a few circuits. Other times, it’s smarter to tackle everything at once. Either way, we’ll lay it out clearly so you can make the call.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your electrical system isn’t about fancy gadgets or bragging rights. It’s about safety, comfort, and reliability.

When it’s done right, you don’t think about it — the lights just work, the breakers stay quiet, and the outlets feel cool to the touch. That’s the goal.

👉 Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule an inspection or consultation. We’ll walk through your system, explain what’s happening in plain language, and help you decide the smartest way to bring your home up to modern standards.

We’ll make it safe, make it last, and make sure you understand every part of the job.