Homes today have an estimated $15,000 worth of electronics and may experience up to 100 surges per month that can degrade or damage your electronics, shortening their life.

People often think of power strips when they hear "surge protection". Commonly used as an extension to outlets, many power strips offer no surge suppression at all. Others only offer low-level surge suppression, leaving them powerless to block appliance-damaging surges.

When surge protection is installed at the electrical panel, it helps protect all the devices in the home, including those that are not plugged into a surge plug strip.

Compare Square D surge protectivedevices

Whole Home Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) reduce higher-level surges that might otherwise overwhelm plug strips and damage connected household equipment. SPDs also provide surge suppression for important items that are not compatible with plug strips, such as a home's HVAC and smart appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, oven, and lighting). You can protect your investments with Square D Whole Home SPDs.

Surges, or “transient voltages” occur when there is a temporary voltage spike which travels throughout your entire electrical, phone, network and or cable system. These can be externally generated (weather and utilities) or internally generated from devices inside the home, which is the more common type of surge. Up to 100 of these surges can occur per month!

When researching your surge protector, consider the warranty. Some models include a connected equipment coverage. This means that you could be reimbursed up to the warranty limit should your electronics ever become damaged by a power surge.Square D gives you peace of mind, with warranties up to 5 years and $100,000 in connected equipment.NOTE: Square D Surgelogic SPDs and HEPDs do not need to be registered. They include a warranty document that provides warranty claim information if ever needed.When a surge protective device senses a transient voltage spike, it uses internal components called Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) that act like magnets for the excess voltage, and sends it to the load center’s ground wire before it can reach your home’s connected electronics.

When a surge protective device senses a transient voltage spike, it uses internal components called Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) that act like magnets for the excess voltage, and sends it to the load center’s ground wire before it can reach your home’s connected electronics.

Some power surges can present enough strength to immediately contribute to severe damage, if not destroy, electronics. Surges occur regularly, wearing down and shortening the life of electronics and appliances

a whole-house surge protector typically costs between $60 and $300 (CAD 80 and CAD 400). Installation labor typically runs another $150 - $200 .This brings the total cost to roughly $300/$500) on average.

There can be differences in pricing based on the type of surge protector you choose and the rates for electricians in your area.

The cost is relatively low compared to the potential loss of your electronics should your home be hit with a major power surge. Computers, TVs and gaming systems come to mind, but even refrigerators, ovens, washers, dryers and other household appliances have complicated electrical components that can get fried.

Investing a few hundred dollars into a whole-house surge protector could save you from replacing very expensive appliances and electronics later.

A new electrical panel ensures that your home will continue a steady flow of electricity. Not only will you eliminate problems with flickering lights and burnt-out appliances, but you will also be able to add more appliances without tripping your breaker, blowing fuses, or damaging current appliances.

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

Outdated or overwhelmed electrical panels are a main cause of electrical fires. Having such a panel represents a danger to your family and home.

the benefits of doing a panel upgrade?

A new electrical panelensures that your home will continue a steady flow of electricity. Not only will you eliminate problems with flickering lights and burnt-out appliances, but you will also be able to add more appliances without tripping your breaker, blowing fuses, or damaging current appliances.

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

Blog: Remodeling, Why Hire An Electrician?

Blog: Electrical Service Upgrades

As of late, the electrical power in your home has been less than perfect. Your lights tend to flicker every time you use a hair dryer or the microwave. You hook up the newest addition to your home entertainment system and quickly blow a fuse. What’s creating the problem? It might be that your home’s electrical panel is outdated and needs to be upgraded.

Most modern households tend to have electrically powered devices running 24 hours a day, and even electronics and systems that are switched off but remain plugged in can siphon electricity.

Older homes and buildings are often just not able to keep up with the electricity demand. If you believe your home is due for an upgrade, contact a licensed professional to judge the situation.

Do I Need an Upgrade?

The most visible sign that you need a panel upgrade is when your electrical circuits simply can’t keep up with your daily needs. If you must unplug one appliance in order to use another one without tripping the breaker, or if certain devices cause your lights to flicker, you’re probably overworking your electrical panel.

 Even if you aren’t suffering from frequent losses of service, however, you might be due for a panel upgrade. If your current electrical panel has less than 200 amps of electricity available, or if your service panel has screw-in fuses, the system is out-of-date. As a general rule, if your house is over 20 years old, you should look into a service panel upgrade.

Can I Wait to Upgrade?

House repairs, especially electrical repairs, aren’t cheap. However, it’s never a good idea to stall residential electrical repairs. An old, overworked electrical panel isn’t just inconvenient, it can also be hazardous. If your home is strewn with power strips and extension cords because you have many more electrical devices than outlets, you’re demanding each outlet to work beyond its designed capacity. If one of these circuits overheats and blows under the electrical strain, it could affect your computer, printer, television, video game console, and whatever other devices it’s attached to. Also, overheating service panels and circuits are a fire hazard. Upgrade your service panel before it reaches this point to protect your property and your family from serious harm.

It is not possible to upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps simply by replacing your breaker panel.

To upgrade to 200 amps from a smaller service, you will need a new breaker panel, circuit breakers, meter socket, service conductors, grounding electrodes and bonding conductors.

Do I Need a 200-Amp Service? Even with a 100-amp service, many homes will run close to maximum capacity.

An upgrade to a 200-amp system will ensure your existing and future power needs are met, so you can install new appliances and hi-tech devices without worrying about running out of juice or overloading the system.

The 400 amp service is usually required for larger homes, Custom Homes and mansions that demand more heating and air conditioning capacity.

How much does it cost to put in a 400 amp service?

• $4,500 Cost to Upgrade to 400 Amp Service

While these numbers may seem high or make most homeowners think twice before deciding to replace or upgrade their electrical panel, it is important to do so and there are several reasons why.

The cost to replace an electrical panel or even upgrade it to meet modern demands can sometimes be overwhelming for homeowners. When it’s all added up, one’s looking at thousands of dollars in expenses. However, electrical systems are the lifeblood of modern properties, and an up-to-date, proper electrical panel can protect your home, your appliances, and your electronics with all the important data you might be storing in them.

FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE COST TO REPLACE AN ELECTRICAL PANEL

If you ask an electrician “How much does it cost to replace an electrical panel?”, the answer will always almost be “It depends”. And that’s true, because there are many factors that impact the final amount you’ll have to pay. Sometimes it depends on the existing conditions, such as how many circuits you may have, if it’s a single-family dwelling or multi-family dwelling, and more. 

1. Amperage – this is one of the most significant factors when it comes to calculating the cost to replace an electrical panel. For new electrical panels, the higher the amperage, the bigger the cost, but a higher Amp panel can also serve your electrical needs better and safer.

Note: 100-Amps and 125-Amps main panels are not very common or recommended. They have a limited amount of circuit breakers, which limits the capacity of the circuit. Additionally, using AFCI breakers, which are enforced in CA, with these panels results in false tripping, which can become a nuisance. AFCI breakers also take a full size space, so you can’t use the twin breakers. 

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

2. Location – the location of your home is a factor mainly because labor costs vary greatly from state to state, as well as area to area. There’s a national average for both the price of parts and labor costs, but if you live in an area with higher cost of living, then chances are the cost will be higher than the national average. 

3. Circumstances – Each project is different and there are certain conjectural factors that impact the cost. The degree of difficulty or accessibility, such as having no access underneath the house for instance, as well as the amount of circuits you need, all play into the price.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WHEN REPLACING AN ELECTRICAL PANEL

When looking to replace your electrical panel, it’s not just the panel box itself that you’ll have to buy. Most likely, you’ll need to replace other components too, and their prices vary as well. See below the parts that generally do require changing when you replace an electrical panel:

• Overhead or underground feeders – these are service entrance cables that are connected to the utility company’s poles. Underground feeds are fed through a pipe into the ground, while overhead cables are suspended. These can range from $750 to $950 in parts.
• Grounding system – this is an electrical wire that comes from the main electrical panel to a ground rod, and serves as a backup to the neutral wire provided by the utility company. The system can be anywhere between $150 and $350. 
• Unforeseen Expenses –  if your house is old and your electrical system hasn’t been updated in a long time, then chances are the electrician might find other problems once he digs into your panel. Some issues may include old wiring that needs to be brought up to code, drywall that may need to be opened, or other worn parts that need to be replaced. Therefore, you can’t have an accurate cost until everything is laid bare.

One of the aspects many homeowners forget to account for is the cost of permits and inspections. This especially applies when the replacement process involves upgrading as well, and it’s important not to skip getting the right permits and having the subsequent inspections in order to save money.  It’s what ensures the fire safety of your home.

Note: Some of these expenses may already be included in the price estimate your electrician provides, so be sure to ask them for a breakdown, or to walk you through the plan.  

WHAT IS THE COST TOUPGRADEAN ELECTRICAL PANEL?

Many times, the cost to upgrade an electrical panel is lower than the cost of replacing one. However, the amount will vary depending on what your current amperage is and what kind of an upgrade you’re going for. 

If upgrading also involves moving the electrical panel, then that’s another cost you’ll incur, as well as whether or not your house still has a fuse box that needs replacing with a circuit breaker panel. 

COST TO UPGRADE MAIN ELECTRICAL PANEL TO 200 AMPS

There are still older houses that have 60 or 80 Amps panels, which are no longer up to code or cannot meet the electrical demands of modern days. Today, the minimum amount a household is considered to require is 200Amps.

The cost to upgrade your electrical panel to 200 Amps is on average $2,650 – $3,200. If you own a large property, electric cars and have dual car chargers, if there are any additions to your home that have high-energy needs, then 200 Amps is definitely worth considering. The cost is on the higher side, because with this upgrade, you’ll get a main electrical meter panel, which is a distribution panel and meter, all in one.

COST TO UPGRADE TO 400 AMP SERVICE

While fairly rare, there are homes that might require an upgrade to 400 Amps, generally if there is a significant number of specialty equipment and electronics that use a lot of power. The cost is on average between $3,500 and $4,500.

While these numbers may seem high or make most homeowners think twice before deciding to replace or upgrade their electrical panel, it is important to do so and there are several reasons why. Not only will it help prevent electrical fires, but your appliances will also work at peak efficiency and, in the end, it means added value to your home.

7 Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement

Breakers Trip Repeatedly.

Your Home Has a Fuse Box.

Odd Sounds from Breaker Box.

Home Is More Than 20 Years Old.

Burning Smell from Breaker Box.

Melted Wires and Scorch Marks.

“Heavy Up”

Benefits to an Electrical Panel Upgrade.

A homeowner should expect to pay between around $2,000 to upgrade an existing unit to 200-amp service, including professional installation. Alone, a with a 200-amp eletrical panel will cost $350. - guess·ti·mate : $2,350.

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

A homeowner should expect to pay between around $2,000 to upgrade an existing unit to 200-amp service, including professional installation. Alone, a with a 200-amp eletrical panel will cost $350. - guess·ti·mate : $2,350.

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

A homeowner should expect to pay between around $2,000 to upgrade an existing unit to 200-amp service, including professional installation. Alone, a with a 200-amp eletrical panel will cost $350. - guess·ti·mate : $2,350.

Amperage

Estimate Cost

100-Amps

$1,200 – $2,500

125-Amps

$1,500 – $2,700

150-Amps

$1,800 – $3,000

200-Amps

$2,000 – $3,500

400-Amps

$3,000 – $4,500

A main panel upgrade will benefit you in the future

If you have a 125A or smaller electrical panel, the general rule of thumb is that if you’re looking to add solar energy with a system size larger than 7.5kW DC, the main panel upgrade may be necessary. In addition, for homeowners in California, there is an excellent chance that you will require one in the next few years. With California’s commitment to Electric Vehicles (EV), you may need to upgrade your electrical panel if you’d like to charge your EV at home. To charge your EV at home with a 220V outlet, an additional 40Amp breaker will be needed. For most older homes with an older electrical box, there may not be any room to add a breaker for the EV charger. 

This is why upgrading the main electrical panel is crucial before adding solar panels. The main circuit breaker should be rated 200 amps before installing solar panels. However, you may need to make upgrades if the breaker is rated anything less than this

Blog: Electrical Service Upgrades

An electrical permit is required for replacement and upgrade of the main electrical service panel prior to installation of the new panel. Following is a listing of the general requirements for electrical panel replacements based on the 2019 California Electrical Code.

average total permit cost for common residential minor permits Whole or Partial Dwelling $250.00. that is a guesstimate in varies at different situations and jobs.

BLOG: Standby Generator

Advantages of standby generators

• Convenience: A standby generator turns on automatically when there's a power outage, and it can power everything in your home at once. ...
• Quiet: While portable generators are notoriously noisy, a standby generator is insulated and has weatherproof housing, which keeps it quiet.

If you’re like most Americans, then you’ve probably been spending more time at home in the past year than ever before. And a power outage can be quite disruptive—especially if you or your spouse is working from home. Now is a great time to consider investing in a standby generator so you can be prepared for that next power failure.

What is a standby generator?

There are two primary types of generators: portable and standby. While these two types of generators perform the same basic function, they are vastly different.

• A portable generator runs on gasoline, and you have to pull it out of storage, connect it to your home’s breaker panel, and start it up manually if your power goes out.
• A home standby generator (also called a stationary generator or a whole-house generator) runs on natural gas or propane, and it’s permanently connected to your home’s exterior.

Advantages of standby generators

• Reliability: Since it runs on natural gas or propane, a standby generator can operate for days or weeks on a whole-house propane tank—or indefinitely if you have natural gas. To run all day, a standby generator typically uses between 13 to 48 gallons of liquid propane or natural gas (depending on the size of your home and how much power you’re using). Disclosure1
• Convenience: A standby generator turns on automatically when there’s a power outage, and it can power everything in your home at once. There’s no need to manually connect anything.
• Quiet: While portable generators are notoriously noisy, a standby generator is insulated and has weatherproof housing, which keeps it quiet.
• Power output: Standby generators are much more powerful than their portable counterparts, with a power output of between 8,000 to 20,000 watts (compared to only 3,000 to 8,500 watts by a portable generator). Disclosure1
• Comfort and safety during storms: Whether it’s a hurricane in the summer or an ice storm in the winter, all types of weather incidents can unexpectedly knock out your power—sometimes for several hours or even days. A standby generator will keep your appliances, HVAC unit, and other important electronic devices up and running for your family’s comfort and safety.

Other considerations

The primary reason people choose a portable generator over a standby generator is due to one simple factor: cost. However, Dave Trezza, who oversees generator testing for Consumer Reports, says, “Home standby generators are expensive, but they’re the gold standard in backup power, and they outperform all other types of generators in our ratings. If you can afford it, I’d tell you to pick a home standby generator every time.” Disclosure1

The cost of investing in a home standby generator is between $2,000 to $5,000, with installation costs ranging from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more. Disclosure1  However, a standby generato

r’s reliability, convenience, noiselessness, and power output make it the obvious choice to keep your home up and running.

Learn more

When making any type of improvements to your home, such as installing a standby generator, be sure to talk with your McGriff Family Risk Manager to ensure you have the right amount of insurance coverage on your home.

BLOG: Standby Generator

Both keep power flowing to a home during a power outage, but in differing ways.

A portable generator is an immediate but temporary solution powered by gasoline, while a home standby generator is an automatic, permanent backup power solution powered by natural gas or liquid propane.

BLOG: Standby Generator

There are three basic types of generators: whole house generators, portable generators and inverter generators.

• Inverter generators are ideal for camping, boating and other recreational activities. ...
• Whole house generators (home standby generators) are the best generators for home use.

BLOG: Standby Generator

home generator prices and installation cost average $8,500, but it can range from $5,500 to even $15,000 and more.

Because it's such a huge range, we recommend having an electrician survey your home to give you an exact quote.

BLOG: Standby Generator

Many property owners are investing in whole-property standby generators that can power multiple systems in a home or business in the case of an extended outage.

A professional electrician is absolutely essential for standby generator installation.

BLOG: Standby Generator

In most cases, investing in a standby generator has the most benefits. A home backup generator offers improved safety and security as well as convenience and efficiency. It also saves you money in the long run if you own a home and often leave for hours at a time.

Blog: Standby Generator

Blog: Attic Fans

Attic ventilation fans help cool air your attic by pushing out the stifling hot air from inside the attic and bringing in cool air from outside. This prevents hot air from seeping into your home and driving up the temperature in the living space, which reduces the load on your air conditioner.

Will adding a attic fan help cool house?

An attic fan can help lower that temperature by up to 50 degrees, which translates into up to a 5 degree lower temperature inside your home. Not only will it feel cooler inside, your AC will last longer as it will not need to cycle as much. In addition, attic fans have shown to help extend the life of the roof as well.

How much should I pay to have an attic fan installed?

Pricing for attic fan installation varies depending on fan type and its location. On average,labor costs run between $300 - $500 or more and the fan itself may range from as little as $50 to more than $500.

why should you hire Dunbar's Electric toInstall your Attic fan?

Unless you have previous electrical experience, you should always hire a licensed electrician for any electrical projects. Your electrician will discuss available options and help you select the best fan for your application. They will go over any additional work that may need to accompany the installation, such as new venting to the exterior or rewiring. Finally, they will ensure that all electrical connections are safe and reliable.

Two different typesAttic fans are a type of ventilation unit that regulates the home's or attic's heat levels. They take hot interior air from the attic and expel it outward.Two different types of attic fansare the roof mounted attic fan and the gable mounted attic fan.