Many homeowners do not realize that they have the power to replace and upgrade the circuit breakers in their electrical panels. In fact, this is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to improve the safety and performance of your home’s electrical system. When your circuit breakers are tripping several times a day, it is obvious that it is time to install a new breaker. However, there are many subtle signs that you should replace your circuit breakers. Some of the situations that call for new circuit breakers include:

• Overloaded Outlets – When certain outlets cause the circuit breakers to trip on a regular basis, it is a surefire sign that you need to replace those outlets. You should consider upgrading to a higher amperage when installing a new circuit breaker.
• Specialty Lighting – Specialty lights, like track lighting, canned lights, and wall sconces, can require a heavy electrical load. It is often a good idea to install a new breaker to manage the electricity provided to your newly installed lighting fixtures.
• Security Systems – That new security system you are thinking about installing may pull more power from your home than you suspect. That is why we often recommend installing a special breaker to handle the load provided to your security system.
• New Appliances – Anytime you install a new major appliance, like a freezer or a refrigerator, you should check with a licensed electrician to determine if you need a special circuit breaker.
• Ceiling Fans – Installing a circuit breaker for a ceiling fan can give you the ability to control the fan and light separately and improve home safety.
• Additional Outdoor Outlets – It’s easy to install new outlets on the outside of your home. However, you may also need to upgrade your circuit breakers to handle the additional electrical load.
• Emergency Generators – An emergency generator is great for keeping the power on in a blackout, but it requires the installation of a new circuit breaker to manage the power provided by the generator.
• Energy Efficient Upgrades – We’re glad you’re upgrading your home with solar panels, EV chargers, and other energy-efficient features, but don’t forget to install electrical outlets that can handle the input or output from those new components.
• Garage or Workshop – They are called power tools for a reason. With a high-capacity circuit breaker, you’ll have the power to run all the tools, equipment, and machinery you need at the same time. That means you can get every project done that much faster.