Signs Your Home’s Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade Before Next Summer

As energy use in Colorado Springs homes continues to rise, older electrical panels are struggling to keep up. From flickering lights to tripped breakers, these warning signs often point to the need for an electrical panel upgrade especially before the summer heat drives power demand even higher. At JP Electric & Solar, our licensed electricians help homeowners in Briargate, Falcon, and across El Paso County upgrade safely, stay code-compliant, and prepare for modern energy needs like EV charging and solar integration. Upgrading now ensures your home is protected, efficient, and ready for the future.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay an Electrical Panel Upgrade in Colorado Springs

As the demand for home energy increases especially in the summer months your electrical panel needs to keep up. If you’re adding central air, charging an electric vehicle, installing a home battery, or just noticing flickering lights and tripped breakers, it might be time to consider an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs.

At JP Electric & Solar, we help homeowners ensure their homes are safe, up to code, and ready for modern energy loads. We’ve seen firsthand how hot summer months in areas like Briargate, Falcon, and Old Colorado City can push older systems past their limits. Planning ahead now can prevent outages and protect your home.

Licensed electrician inspecting a residential electrical panel for safety and performance during a home electrical inspection in Colorado Springs.

What Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Your home’s electrical panel also called a breaker box distributes power from your utility or solar system to outlets, appliances, and equipment throughout the house. Over time, or with increased demand, older panels may no longer provide the capacity or safety you need.

An upgrade typically means:

  • Replacing a 100 amp panel with a 200 amp system
  • Installing new breakers and modern grounding
  • Ensuring the panel can handle large appliances, solar systems, or EV chargers
  • Updating wiring and surge protection as needed

At JP Electric & Solar, we only recommend upgrades when they’re necessary for safety, efficiency, or to support solar + storage systems. You can learn more about our electrical and solar services on the JP Electric & Solar website.

5 Warning Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Wondering if your home is due for an upgrade? Here are some of the most common indicators we see in homes across Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs:

  1. Frequent breaker trips – especially during summer A/C use
  2. Flickering or dimming lights – often when major appliances kick on
  3. Outlets that are warm to the touch or emit a burning smell
  4. You’re out of breaker space – can’t add circuits for new appliances or EVs
  5. Your panel is 25+ years old – many older homes still use outdated fuse boxes or panels that can’t meet current electrical codes

Why Summer Puts Extra Pressure on Your Panel

Summers in Colorado Springs bring triple-digit days, heavy A/C usage, and peak energy demand. This seasonal load—combined with modern equipment like high-speed EV chargers or battery banks—can overwhelm aging panels.

An upgrade ensures:

  • Safer, uninterrupted energy delivery during heatwaves
  • Capacity to run multiple large appliances at once
  • Support for future energy upgrades (like solar + battery storage)
  • Reduced fire risk due to overloaded circuits or overheating wires

If your home is in a neighborhood like The Broadmoor or Mountain Shadows, where homes are older and have undergone partial renovations, your panel may be outdated even if you’ve had appliance upgrades.

Do You Really Need to Upgrade?

How do I know if my electrical panel is safe?

If your home was built before the early 1990s and you haven’t had a full panel upgrade, there’s a good chance your system wasn’t designed to handle today’s energy needs. The best way to know for sure is to schedule a panel inspection. At JP Electric & Solar, we assess your panel’s current load, condition, and capacity and only recommend an upgrade if it’s truly necessary.

Upgrade Your Electrical Panel Before Summer Hits Hard

An electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety, long-term savings, and preparing your home for the energy needs of today and tomorrow. Whether you’re considering adding an EV charger, upgrading to central A/C, or already using a solar battery backup system, your panel needs to be up to the task.

If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Let our licensed electricians at JP Electric & Solar take a look before next summer puts your system to the test. Schedule a consultation today and keep your home powered, safe, and ready.

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