Your Reliable Source For
Electrical Panel Repair
Like an AC or furnace, your electrical panel, also called a breaker box, needs to be the right size to handle your home's electrical load. If your family has grown, you've added onto your home, or you've installed larger appliances, it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel.
At CM Heating in Seattle, our electricians can repair or replace your electrical panel with care and skill. We focus on safe, reliable service and make sure the job is done right.
Included In Your Installation
- Multiple repair or upgrade options
- 1-year labor warranty
- 10-year manufacturer warranty (installation only)
- Flexible financing
SERVICE OVERVIEW
- Service call fee $69 (waived with repair)
- Price:
Repair starting at: $350
Replacement starting at: $2,500 - Average time to complete:
Repair: 1-2 hours
Replacement: 1 day
Average Cost of An Electrical Panel Repair
In Seattle area
- Low: $350
- Average: $600
- High: 900+
Average Cost Of An Electrical Panel Upgrade
In Seattle area
- Low: $2,500
- Average: $5,000
- High: $8,000+
These costs are estimates and average costs increase the higher the panel amperage.
Do you have a Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electrical Panel in your home?
Seattle-Area Homeowners: Here's What You Should Know About Federal Pacific and Zinsco Electrical Panels
If your home was built or renovated between the 1950s and 1980s, it may have an electrical panel that deserves a closer look.
Two brands in particular, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Zinsco, have raised safety concerns due to problems identified with certain circuit breakers. These panels were installed in many American homes, and some remain in use today.
While an older electrical panel isn't automatically unsafe, certain models may not provide the protection your home needs.
Why Are Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panels a Concern?
Your electrical panel distributes electricity throughout your home. Its circuit breakers are designed to shut off power when an overload or short circuit occurs, helping prevent overheating and electrical fires.
The concern with certain Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels is that their breakers may not always operate as intended.
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels
Certain FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers have been found to fail important electrical performance tests. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigated these breakers and identified failures to meet certain Underwriters Laboratories (UL) testing requirements.
Read the CPSC's findings on Federal Pacific breakers.
Zinsco Electrical Panels
Some Zinsco panels have been associated with deterioration and overheating at the connection between the breakers and the panel's bus bars. These issues can interfere with proper breaker operation and may not be obvious from the outside of the panel.
Because these problems can be difficult for homeowners to identify, a professional electrical evaluation is recommended.
How Do You Know If Your Home Has One of These Panels?
Start by checking the manufacturer's name on the outside of your electrical panel. Look for labels such as:
- Federal Pacific Electric, FPE, or Stab-Lok
- Zinsco or Sylvania-Zinsco
If you recognize one of these names, that doesn't necessarily mean your panel is failing. However, it is a good reason to have a licensed electrician evaluate it.
Never remove your electrical panel's protective cover or attempt to inspect internal components yourself.
Should You Replace Your Electrical Panel?
Not every older electrical panel needs to be replaced simply because of its age. However, certain panel models, signs of overheating, damaged components, or inadequate electrical capacity may make replacement the safest option.
A qualified electrician can evaluate your existing panel, explain any concerns, and recommend whether repair, an upgrade, or replacement is appropriate.
Trust CM Heating for Electrical Panel Inspections and Replacement
At CM Heating, we do more than heating and cooling. Our experienced electrical team helps homeowners throughout Snohomish County and surrounding communities keep their electrical systems safe and reliable.
Whether you're concerned about an older Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, experiencing electrical problems, or considering an electrical panel upgrade, we're here to help.
Schedule an Electrical Panel Evaluation
Contact CM Heating to have your electrical panel evaluated and learn whether an upgrade is recommended. If replacement is needed, we'll provide a free estimate and explain your options.
How Electrical Panels Are
Sized
What Size Electrical Panel Does Your Seattle-Area Home Need?
Common electrical panel sizes in Seattle and Snohomish County homes include:
- 100 amps: Often found in older homes with lower electrical demands.
- 150 amps: Suitable for some smaller and medium-sized homes, depending on their electrical needs.
- 200 amps: A common choice for modern homes, especially those with electric heating, heat pumps, and multiple large appliances.
- 400 amps: May be appropriate for larger homes or properties with substantial electrical demands.
Not sure if your electrical panel can handle your home's needs? CM Heating's experienced electricians can evaluate your existing electrical system and recommend whether an electrical panel upgrade is necessary.
It Is Easy To Get
Started
Signs You
Need A New Electrical Panel
You likely need to upgrade or replace your current electrical panel if:
Circuit breakers frequently trip.
When a circuit breaker trips, it means that the circuit received a larger electrical load than it can handle. If this happens a lot, it's usually a sign that you need to move an appliance to a different circuit or upgrade your panel.
The electrical panel feels warm or smells burnt.
Heat or burning smells coming from your electrical panel could mean bad wiring or electrical overload. If you notice these signs, call an electrician immediately to prevent risk of an electrical fire.
Lights dim or flicker.
If you notice lights dimming or flickering when a large appliance kicks on, that means they're on the same circuit and the appliance takes electrical current away from the lights when it turns on.
You're upgrading appliances or building an addition.
A home addition or larger appliance typically means more electricity. You might be able to add circuits to your existing panel, but more often than not, you'll need a new electrical panel with more amps to handle the additional load.
You have an old fuse box.
If you have an older home (built before 1965) and and its electrical system hasn't been upgraded, there's a chance that it still has a 60-amp fuse box. These fuse boxes worked fine for small homes that didn't use much electricity, but today's electrical usage (with air conditioners, furnaces, and so on) require a higher electrical capacity.
Based in Everett, CM Heating proudly serves Snohomish, King, Skagit & Island Counties in Washington.
Check here to see if we service your zip code.
- Allen
- Alger
- Anacortes
- Arlington
- Bellevue
- Bothell
- Bow
- Brier
- Burlington
- Camano Island
- Darrington
- Duvall
- Everett
- Granite Falls
- Kenmore
- Kirkland
- Lake Stevens
- Lynnwood
- Marysville
- Millcreek
- Monroe
- Mount Vernon
- Mountlake Terrace
- Mukilteo
- Redmond
- Sedro Woolley
- Shoreline
- Snohomish
- Stanwood
- Sterling
- Sultan
- Tulalip
- Woodinville
- Woodway