Top 7 Signs Your Massachusetts Home Needs a Panel Upgrade

When your home’s electrical panel starts acting up, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it’s a warning. In places like Wilmington, North Reading, and Billerica, many homes still rely on panels that were never designed to handle modern demand. Between your fridge, your furnace, your Wi-Fi, and your Tesla charger, today's homes need more power—and better protection.

At Modern Electric, we’ve seen every kind of panel problem. Here are 7 signs it’s time to stop patching things up and upgrade your electrical panel for good.

1. Breakers that trip when the coffee maker and microwave run at the same time

We call this “breaker roulette.” If running two normal appliances causes a trip, it’s not because your coffee maker is broken—it’s because your system is overloaded. Older panels weren’t built for today’s energy use, and it shows.

2. You smell something warm or “burnt” near the panel

This is never normal. A burnt smell means wire insulation could be breaking down, or worse, components are heating past their limit. Call a licensed electrician immediately if this happens. Don't wait.

3. Your panel still has fuses instead of breakers

Fuses worked fine in the 50s. But they weren’t built for hot tubs, EV chargers, or home offices. If your system still runs on fuses, it’s past due for a serious update—for both safety and insurance coverage.

4. Lights flicker or dim when appliances turn on

This is common in older Woburn and Lexington homes. It’s a sign that your panel is struggling to distribute power evenly. A new panel improves efficiency, eliminates drop-offs, and protects expensive appliances from damage.

5. You’re planning a renovation or adding new systems

Upgrading your HVAC? Adding a hot tub? Installing a second fridge in the garage? You’ll need more amperage. Most Massachusetts homes with 100-amp panels should move to 200-amp service to safely support modern upgrades.

6. Your panel is warm to the touch or showing rust

A warm panel could mean loose wiring or internal damage. Rust or corrosion—especially in basements—means moisture has made its way inside. Both are major fire risks and need immediate attention.

7. You’re constantly resetting the same breaker

If one circuit keeps causing issues even after it’s been “repaired,” the problem may not be the wiring—it may be the panel itself. A good system should distribute current properly. If it can’t, it’s time to upgrade.

So, is it time?

If any of the above rings true, don’t wait until the lights go out or something overheats. An upgraded panel is more than a fix—it’s a smart investment in your home's future and your family’s safety.

We’ve upgraded panels in homes across Wilmington, Billerica, North Reading, Tewksbury, and beyond. Every job comes with honest pricing, clean workmanship, and licensed electricians who know their stuff.

Need an inspection or second opinion?

Call Modern Electric at 978-658-7200 or book your panel assessment at www.modernelc.com. We’ll give it to you straight.

Because in this business, service isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing up ready, doing it right, and making sure you never have to worry about it again.