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While both options control the electrical current in your home, fuse boxes melt wires if there is an overload and must be replaced, whereas circuit breakers use a magnetic switch and don’t need replacing. If the wiring needs a complete overhaul, you might spend upwards of $4,500. Replacing a fuse box with a breaker box runs from $1,500 to $2,000. Subpanel: The subpanel is a smaller panel that controls specific sections of your home, such as your kitchen, bathroom, or garage.įuse box: Some older houses have a fuse box instead of a circuit breaker. It contains all of the breaker switches in your home.Ĭircuit breaker: Inside the electrical panel, you’ll find the circuit breakers that control the power in your house. That’s why it’s important to know and identify each part of your electrical panel while budgeting for that upgrade.Įlectrical panel: An electrical panel is also called a breaker panel, breaker box, or service panel. Whether it's a farmhouse in the country or a large commercial complex in the city, electrical systems are essential to most homes. If you have a large house in an area with hot summers, or you use jetted tubs regularly, it may be a great choice.īefore You Start: Breaker, Panel, or Subpanel? Although these models run about half the price of a 400-amp one, labor for two takes longer. In some cases, your electrician will install two 200-amp panels, using one of them as a subpanel. The total for installation depends mostly on the setup. This includes the panel at around $500, plus eight to 20 hours of labor to install the panel. The cost to upgrade to a 400-amp service ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. Homes with additions or large garages and hefty electrical equipment may need added amperage to support the extra power draw. Alone, a 200-amp box will cost $250 to $350.Īn increase to 200-amp service gives you room to grow. 200 Amp UpgradeĪ homeowner should expect to pay between $750 and $2,000 to upgrade an existing unit to 200-amp service, including professional installation. Upgrading to a 150-amp service is the typical starting range for an average-sized home, but if you use more electricity, you’ll want to upgrade to a 200-amp service. The box alone costs between $150 to $250. The price to upgrade your electrical panel to a 150-amp service is between $500 and $1,750 on average. If you have a 60-amp unit, upgrading might make it easier to consider improvements like a workshop or hot tub. Older homes often run low-amperage boxes because they didn't have central air, modern appliances, or today's electronics in mind when they were built. The box runs $100 to $200, so labor is the biggest part of the total.
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The cost to update an electrical panel to 100-amp service is $500 to $1,500. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more.
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