Electricity makes life convenient, but it isn't something to be mishandled. When there are problems, you should tend to them immediately to avoid worse issues such as blackouts or electrical fires. Here are eight signs you should replace your electrical panel.

1. Burnt Smells Are Lingering

You're not cooking, but you smell something burning. The smell seems to be coming from inside the home instead of outside of it. That burning smell may linger from the electrical panel due to frayed wires. Call an electrical service immediately to avoid a house fire.

2. Shocks Have Occurred

According to the National Library of Medicine, over 1,000 people die annually from electrical deaths. As mentioned, electrical fires can happen if frayed wires aren't tended to. However, many electrical deaths happen due to electrocution. Pay attention if you experience a shock when you plug something into a socket. If the strength of that shock increases, it can electrocute you very quickly. If you have children and animals, you should be extra cautious about any outlets and panels that are producing such shocks.

3. Bills Have Been Rising

Is it getting harder to open your electrical bills every month due to the rising cost? If your electricity use hasn't increased but your bills have, they may cause alarm. You should have an electrical service check your panel to see if any outdated wires need repairing. After all, if you have more electrical devices, they may be using wattage your system can't handle. If your system is old, it may simply begin to decrease in efficiency and increase your bills as a result.

4. Lights Are Flickering

Flickering lights aren't always due to a faulty or dying light bulb. If you notice just one flickering light, then an outdated light bulb may be the case. However, when most or all the lights in your home are flickering, then it's a larger problem than needing a new light bulb.

5. Major Appliances Need Upgrades

Are you doing a major home renovation? If you're like many American homeowners, your kitchen may be your top choice for upgrades. As a result, you may have several new appliances needing installation. When you do a major appliance upgrade, you should also have an electrical service check your existing panel. After all, you want to ensure the existing wiring can take on new appliances. Even if the appliances were more energy-efficient, there could be other problems in the existing wiring that may cause them to blow out, and you want to prevent that.

6. You're Moving

With summer arriving, many Americans are moving to new homes. If you're one of those people, you should check the electricity on both ends. Even if the home you're moving into has passed all inspections, you may want to get your own inspection from an electrical service. When moving into an older home, you definitely should check the electrical panel for issues. After all, that home may not have been updated in decades, depending on the area. Avoid running into issues selling your existing home on time by doing timely inspections and upgrades. Otherwise, you may have to take your home off the market until you make that adjustment.

7. The Panel Is Older

How old is your existing electrical panel? According to Better Builders, it's time for inspection or replacement when a panel is between 20 and 50 years old. We've seen that you should try to get an inspection annually and whenever you have signs of problems.

8. Blackouts Have Become Frequent

No one wants to sit in the dark. Blackouts can happen due to a downed power line, an overworked system, or summer heat. If you're having frequent breakouts that are linked to your system and not the city or street power, it's time for a change. A dead giveaway is when you have a blackout but everyone else on the street still has light. That's a sign that your circuit breakers aren't functioning properly.

As you can see, keeping your electrical system up-to-date is vital for your home function, safety, and cost savings. Electricity can make your life convenient, but it can also be very dangerous when you don't handle it properly. That's why it's essential to have a trained contractor do regular inspections and updates. This summer is the perfect time for an electrical service to conduct maintenance and safety upgrades. For such a service from trained and efficient contractors, contact At Your Service Electric, LLC today to schedule an appointment.