Electrical Panel Upgrades in Sacramento
Safe, code-compliant panel upgrades and replacements that give your home the power it needs for today and whatever comes next.
A lot of Sacramento homes, especially in older neighborhoods like Land Park, Curtis Park, and East Sacramento, still run on outdated 60 to 100 amp panels. They were fine for a mid-century home with a few lights and a fridge, but they can't keep up with modern loads like EV chargers, heat pumps, induction ranges, solar, and home additions. An electrical panel upgrade gives your home the capacity to run it all safely, without tripping breakers, dimming lights, or worrying about an overloaded panel.
Our Panel Upgrade Services
100 to 200 Amp Panel Upgrades
Upgrade an undersized service so your home can handle modern loads without tripping or dimming.
Full Panel Replacement
Swap an old, damaged, or corroded panel for a new one that is safe, labeled, and up to code.
Recalled Panel Replacement
Replace Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and old fuse boxes with modern breakers that actually protect your home.
Subpanel Installation
Add a subpanel when you need more circuits in a garage, addition, or outbuilding without a full upgrade.
Meter & Service Upgrades
We coordinate with the utility to upgrade your meter and service line when the panel needs more capacity.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
Add whole-home surge protection at the panel to shield your electronics from spikes and surges.
Panel Upgrades for EV, Solar & Heat Pumps
Size your panel for an EV charger, solar, or a heat pump so new loads are safe and ready to go.
Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade
If your panel is showing any of these signs, it is worth having a licensed Sacramento electrician take a look:
- Breakers that trip often, especially under load
- Flickering or dimming lights when appliances kick on
- A warm panel, a burning smell, or discoloration near the breakers
- A fuse box or a 60 to 100 amp service
- Buzzing or crackling sounds from the panel
- Adding a major appliance, an EV charger, solar, or a heat pump
- Insurance or home-sale inspection flags about your panel
Not sure about your wiring? See our guide: Signs Your Sacramento Home Needs Electrical Rewiring.
Panel Upgrades for EV Chargers
A Level 2 charger pulls a lot of power, and many older Sacramento panels simply do not have the spare capacity for it. If your service is 100 amps or less, we run a load calculation to see whether it fits or whether you need an upgrade first.
Read our guide: Do I Need a Panel Upgrade for an EV Charger?
Ready to charge at home? See our EV charger installation service in Sacramento.
How Our Panel Upgrade Process Works
1. Free Estimate & Load Calculation
We inspect your panel, service size, and loads, then tell you straight whether you need an upgrade.
2. Upfront Quote
You get the full price before any work starts, with no hidden fees. You approve before we begin.
3. Permit Filing
We pull the electrical permit with the city so the upgrade is inspected and documented.
4. Installation
We swap the panel, usually in one day, with the power off for part of it. We clean up when done.
5. Inspection & Utility Reconnection
The city inspects the work and we coordinate with the utility to reconnect, then walk you through it.
How Much Does a Panel Upgrade Cost in Sacramento?
The cost depends on a few things: the amperage you are upgrading to, whether the meter or service line also needs upgrading, where the panel is located, permit fees, and any wiring repairs we find once the panel is open. A simple swap costs less than a full service upgrade. We give you an exact, upfront price after a quick assessment, so you know the cost before we start.
Utility rebates or incentives may be available for electrification upgrades, which can offset some of the cost. We help you understand what might apply. We also give you upfront pricing with no surprises, so you approve the cost before we start.
Ready for a number that fits your home? Contact us for a free estimate.
Why Sacramento Homeowners Choose Radiant EPS
One Call, Two Trades
We handle electrical and plumbing, so you have one number for the whole house.
Licensed Electricians
Safe, code-compliant work from licensed pros who know Sacramento homes and code.
Same-Day Service
We offer same-day availability across the Sacramento area when you need it.
Upfront Pricing
You approve the price before we start. No hourly surprises.
4.8 Stars on Yelp
Rated 4.8 stars on Yelp by Sacramento homeowners.
Local to Sacramento
We live and work here, and we know the homes and the code.
Areas We Serve
We upgrade panels across the Greater Sacramento area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a panel upgrade take?
A straightforward panel swap with open space and a compatible service usually takes one day, with the power off for a few hours. If the meter, service line, or wiring also needs upgrading, plan on a full day or two. We give you a clear timeline with your free estimate so you can plan around it.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Sacramento?
Yes. A panel upgrade requires an electrical permit and a city inspection in Sacramento. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection, so the work is documented, code compliant, and safe for insurance and resale. Unpermitted panel work can fail a home inspection and void a claim.
100 amp vs 200 amp: which do I need?
A 100 amp panel can work for a smaller home with gas appliances and no big new loads. A 200 amp panel gives you room for an EV charger, heat pump, induction range, solar, or an addition. We run a load calculation to tell you exactly what your home needs.
Is my Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel dangerous?
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels have documented failure records where breakers may not trip during an overload or short. Many electricians and insurers recommend replacing them. We can inspect yours and tell you straight whether it needs replacing.
Will my power be shut off during the upgrade?
Yes, the power has to be off while we swap the panel and reconnect the service, usually for a few hours. We work fast and give you a heads-up before we cut it so you can plan around the outage.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
It depends on your service size and what else runs on the panel. A 200 amp panel usually has room, while a 100 amp panel may need a load calculation, load management, or an upgrade. See our EV panel upgrade guide for the full breakdown.
Ready to Upgrade Your Panel?
Call 916-821-4167 or request your free estimate below. Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-7PM, Sun 7AM-12PM.