Electric Panel
The electric panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. It controls the flow of power from the grid and distributes it throughout your house. Many electrification projects require a panel upgrade to ensure that the panel can handle the power your home uses.
How Electric Panels Work
Electric panels transfer power from the grid to different parts of your home. Your lights, outlets, and appliances are connected to circuit breakers in the panel, that can shut off for safety if the circuit draws too much power.
Reasons to Upgrade
Electric panels can only handle a certain amount of power, based on the amperage of the main breaker. Most panels are 60, 100, 150, or 200 amps. If you have a smaller panel and are planning to add new electric appliances, you may need to upgrade your panel so that it can handle the additional power. To determine the size of your panel, see the guide below. Not sure if you need a panel upgrade?
Take this short quiz to estimate your electric panel needs!
Most new appliances will need an open circuit breaker space in your panel. If your panel is full you may need to upgrade. Alternatively, you can install a subpanel. Subpanels are miniature electric panels that connect to the main panel. They don’t increase the amount of power (amps) that you can use, but they provide additional circuit breaker spaces. In some cases this is a less expensive upgrade option.
Get to know your panel
The panel box is usually located on one of the exterior walls of your house or in discreet location such as the garage or laundry room.
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To determine the "size" of your panel, find the number on the main breaker. The main breaker is a large switch and is usually located at the top (sometimes the middle or bottom of the panel as well). It is the largest on the panel and separated from the other breakers. It should be labeled "MAIN" and have a number written on it. This number is your panel size.
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The other circuit breakers are each connected to a circuit in your home, and usually have numbers listing the maximum amperage of the circuit.
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There are also usually extra spaces for circuit breakers at the bottom. If all the spaces are used, you've run out of space in your panel.
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Rebates
The City of Albany is currently offering a $1000 rebate for electrical panel upgrades as part of the Heat Pump HVAC Rebate Program. The panel upgrade must be completed no more than 6 months before applying for the heat pump permit. Learn more here!
Costs
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Upgrading an electric panel to 200 amps generally costs $2,000-$3,500.
Depending on the age of your panel and wiring, as well the type, there may be added costs to upgrade. For instance, in some older homes with a 60 amp panel, the PG&E service drop line must be upgraded as well. This is the wire that connects the utility pole and your home. Upgrading the drop service can cost around $4000.​
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Contractors
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Visit BayREN to find participating contractors that are specially trained to provide the highest quality service and installation ​for qualified home energy improvements. Participating BayREN contractors will also assist you through the rebate process to make sure you get the best price on your projects.
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Permitting
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Installing a new electric panel requires a building permit and approval from PG&E. To receive your permit, fill out this application and email it to permits@albanyca.org. This is an over-the-counter permit that is typically issued within 1-2 business days. Learn more about permits here and for more information contact jerlich@albanyca.org.
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To receive approval from PG&E, call the Service Planning department at (877) 743-7782.
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