Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. When it can't keep up with modern demands, you're not just dealing with inconvenience — you're dealing with a real safety risk. At Cory Butts Electric & AC LLC, we've upgraded hundreds of panels across Lampasas and the Texas Hill Country, and we know exactly what to look for.

What Does an Electrical Panel Do?

Your panel (also called a breaker box or load center) distributes electricity from the utility line throughout your home. Each circuit breaker protects a specific circuit from overloads. When a circuit draws too much power, the breaker trips — cutting power to prevent overheating and potential fires.

Older panels, especially those rated at 60 or 100 amps, were designed for homes with far fewer electrical demands than we have today. Modern homes with multiple TVs, computers, EV chargers, and high-efficiency HVAC systems often need 200-amp service or more.

7 Warning Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade

1. Breakers That Trip Frequently

If you're constantly resetting tripped breakers, your panel is telling you something. Occasional trips are normal, but frequent trips on the same circuit mean it's overloaded — and your current panel may not have the capacity to handle your home's load.

2. Your Home Still Has a Fuse Box

Fuse boxes were standard before the 1960s. If your home still has one, it's well past time for an upgrade. Fuses can't be reset — they must be replaced — and older fuse boxes often lack the safety features of modern breaker panels.

3. Lights Flicker or Dim

When you run the microwave and the kitchen lights dim, that's a sign your circuits are struggling. Flickering lights throughout the house can indicate a panel that's undersized for your home's electrical load.

4. You're Adding Major Appliances or an EV Charger

Planning to install a Level 2 EV charger, a hot tub, or a new HVAC system? These high-draw appliances often require dedicated circuits and may push your existing panel to its limit. A panel upgrade ensures you have the capacity to handle them safely.

5. Your Panel Feels Warm or Smells Like Burning

A warm panel or a faint burning smell near your breaker box is a serious warning sign. This can indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, or failing components — all of which are fire hazards. Call a licensed electrician immediately.

6. You Have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panel

These brands were widely installed from the 1950s through the 1980s and have a well-documented history of failing to trip during overloads. If your home has one of these panels, replacement is strongly recommended regardless of age.

7. You're Renovating or Adding Square Footage

Adding a room, finishing a basement, or building an addition increases your home's electrical demand. A panel upgrade is often required to bring the new work up to code and ensure safe operation.

What's Involved in a Panel Upgrade?

A panel upgrade typically involves:

• Removing the old panel and disconnecting all circuits
• Installing a new panel with the appropriate amperage rating (usually 200 amps for modern homes)
• Reconnecting all circuits and labeling them clearly
• Pulling the required permits and scheduling an inspection with the local authority

At Cory Butts Electric & AC LLC, we handle the entire process — from permits to final inspection. Our licensed electricians (E TECL 35476) ensure every upgrade meets current NEC code requirements.

How Much Does a Panel Upgrade Cost in Texas?

Panel upgrade costs vary depending on the size of the panel, the complexity of the installation, and whether any additional work (such as a service entrance upgrade) is needed. We provide honest, upfront estimates before any work begins — no surprises.

We also offer flexible financing through Wisetack, so you can get the work done now and pay over time.

Serving Lampasas and the Texas Hill Country

Cory Butts Electric & AC LLC has been serving Lampasas, Burnet, Llano, Marble Falls, and surrounding Hill Country communities for decades. Our team is fully licensed, insured, and ready to help you keep your home safe.

If you're seeing any of the warning signs above, don't wait. Call or text us at 512-556-6818 to schedule a free assessment.