Panel and service upgrades
Electrical Panel Upgrade Grimsby
Upgrade from 60 or 100 amps to 200-amp service so your home can handle an EV charger, heat pump or renovation.
When your panel can't keep up anymore
Many older homes still run on 60- or 100-amp service. That was plenty when they were built, but EV chargers, heat pumps, hot tubs and finished basements all add load. When the panel is full or the service is too small, breakers trip and there's no room for new circuits.
A panel upgrade replaces the breaker panel and, when needed, increases the service size to 200 amps. We handle the planning, the ESA permit and the coordination with the utility.
Signs it's time to upgrade
No room for new breakers
Every slot is full, or circuits have been doubled up with tandem breakers.
Adding a big load
An EV charger, heat pump, hot tub or electric range needs capacity the current service doesn't have.
Older or recalled panel
Fuse panels and some older breaker panels are harder to insure and can have known safety issues.
Frequent trips or warm breakers
Breakers that trip often or feel warm can mean an overloaded panel.
Electrical Panel Upgrades in Grimsby: How the Job Works
- We look at your current panel and service and do a load calculation for what you have and what you're adding.
- You get a written quote with the panel size, the service size and what's included.
- We file the ESA permit and book the disconnect and reconnect with Grimsby Power.
- On the day, power is off for part of the day while the new panel and service are installed.
- Circuits are reconnected and labelled, and ESA inspects the work.
Thinking about an EV charger? Plan it with the panel upgrade so the circuit goes in at the same time. See our EV charger installation page, or go back to our Grimsby electricians home page.
Choosing the right panel size
100 amps
Enough for many smaller homes with gas heat and no big electric loads, but often full once you add an EV charger or hot tub.
200 amps
The common choice today. Room for an EV charger, heat pump, electric range and future circuits.
Load management instead
If only one big load is being added, an energy management device can sometimes avoid a service upgrade.
In Grimsby, the service disconnect and reconnect are coordinated with Grimsby Power, the local utility. We book that for you as part of the job.
How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost?
Upgrading to a 200-amp panel and service typically costs about $2,000 to $4,500, plus permit fees. Where it lands depends on the distance from the meter to the panel, whether the meter base or service mast needs replacing, and how many circuits need to be moved.
Electrical Panel Upgrade questions
Do I need a 200-amp panel?
Not always. A load calculation shows whether your current service can handle what you're adding. Sometimes a load management device is enough for an EV charger.
How long is the power off?
For most homes, power is off for part of one day while the new panel and service are connected.
Who deals with the utility and ESA?
We do. We file the ESA permit and coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with the utility.
Will a new panel help with insurance?
Many insurers ask about the panel type and age. Replacing an older fuse or breaker panel often makes insurance easier to get.
Need more power for a charger or renovation? Call to plan your upgrade.
Call (289) 768-7333Where we work
We serve Grimsby and nearby communities across West Niagara and Stoney Creek.