Why panel capacity matters more every year
Homes draw far more power than they did when most panels were installed. EV chargers, heat pumps, induction ranges, hot tubs, home offices and finished basements all land on the same service. A 100 amp panel that was generous in 1985 is often maxed out today, and the symptoms show up as nuisance tripping, dimming and heat.
The 10 warning signs
1) You still have a fuse box. 2) Breakers trip when two large appliances run together. 3) Lights dim when the air conditioner or well pump starts. 4) The panel or a breaker feels warm. 5) You smell a faint burning or ozone odor near the panel. 6) There is no room left for new breakers, or breakers are double-tapped. 7) You see rust, water staining or scorch marks inside the enclosure. 8) Your panel is a brand with a documented failure history. 9) You are adding an EV charger, hot tub, heat pump or shop. 10) Two-prong outlets and cloth wiring elsewhere in the home.
What a 100 amp to 200 amp upgrade actually involves
A service upgrade replaces the panel and usually the meter base, service entrance cable and grounding system. Utility coordination, permits and inspection are part of the job. Power is off for part of one day and restored the same evening in most homes. New AFCI and GFCI breakers improve fire and shock protection at the same time.
What drives the price, and how to control it
Cost drivers include target amperage, whether the meter and mast are replaced, panel relocation, overhead versus underground service, and how many circuits need new grounding. Bundling a panel upgrade with an EV charger, generator transfer switch or whole house surge protection is far cheaper than separate visits.