Abacus Austin / Alan's Blog

Your electrical panel is the heart of your electrical system. It distributes electricity to every room, powers your appliances and keeps your lights on. But just like any other part of your home, your panel can become outdated or overloaded over time.

In Austin’s fast growing neighborhoods—from Crestview to Mueller—many homes were built decades ago. While they may have charm and character, their electrical panels often aren’t equipped to handle today’s modern power demands. If your panel is outdated or faulty, you could be at risk for frequent outages, appliance damage or even electrical fires.

Here are the top signs you might need an electric panel upgrade—and why Austin homeowners within 10km of 2106 Denton Dr trust Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical for the job.

1. Your Breakers Trip Frequently

If you find yourself constantly walking to the breaker box to reset tripped breakers, it’s a clear sign your panel may be overloaded.

Frequent tripping means your electrical system can’t handle the amount of power your home is demanding—whether that’s from running the AC, cooking dinner and charging devices all at once.

In neighborhoods like North Loop, Rosedale and Allandale where many houses still have original panels from the 1970s or 80s, this is a common issue. Upgrading your panel ensures you have enough circuits and capacity for modern living.

2. You Still Have a Fuse Box

Some older Austin homes—especially in areas like Hyde Park and Brentwood—still have fuse boxes instead of circuit breaker panels.

While fuse boxes were once standard, they’re not designed for today’s higher electrical loads. They can be inconvenient and in some cases, unsafe. If you still have a fuse box, upgrading to a breaker panel is essential for safety, convenience and compliance with modern electrical codes.

3. Flickering or Dimming Lights

If your lights flicker or dim when you turn on certain appliances—like the microwave, air conditioner or hair dryer—it’s often a sign your electrical panel is struggling to keep up.This can be especially noticeable in older North Austin homes when the summer heat pushes your AC into overdrive. A panel upgrade provides more consistent, reliable power throughout your home, reducing strain on your electrical system.

4. You’ve Added Major Appliances or Renovated

Upgrading your kitchen? Installing a hot tub? Adding a home office or EV charger? These improvements can significantly increase your home’s power demands.

If you’ve recently renovated or plan to add major appliances, your current panel may not have enough capacity to support them safely. Austin homeowners near Burnet Road, Lamar Boulevard and Koenig Lane often choose to upgrade their panels before making these upgrades to avoid future electrical headaches.

5. Your Panel Feels Warm or Smells Burnt

A warm panel or a faint burning smell near your breaker box is a serious red flag. This could indicate loose wiring, faulty breakers or internal damage—all of which pose fire hazards.

If you notice these signs, call a licensed electrician immediately. At Abacus, our technicians are trained to diagnose the problem quickly and recommend whether repair or replacement is the safest option.

6. You’re Running Out of Breaker Space

If every slot in your breaker box is full, adding new circuits for things like an outdoor kitchen, workshop or EV charger becomes impossible without an upgrade.

We often help Austin homeowners expand their electrical capacity so they can keep adding modern conveniences without compromising safety.

Why Electric Panel Upgrades Are Especially Important in Austin

Austin’s mix of historic homes and new high-demand appliances creates a perfect storm for overloaded electrical systems. Between the intense summer heat that keeps AC units running and the growing popularity of electric vehicles, our power needs are higher than ever.

Plus, with the occasional severe weather—from thunderstorms to winter freezes—having a safe, reliable electrical system is critical for keeping your lights, HVAC and appliances running without interruption.

Why Choose Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical?

Upgrading your electrical panel is not a DIY job—it requires professional expertise and a deep understanding of local electrical codes.

When you work with Abacus, you get:

• Local knowledge – We understand Austin’s unique electrical challenges and building codes.

• Licensed, experienced electricians – Our team ensures your panel is installed safely and correctly.

• Custom solutions – We assess your specific power needs and recommend the right panel size for your home.* Local reputation – We serve North Austin, Pflugerville and Round Rock.

Get Your Electric Panel Upgraded Today?

Don’t wait for a blown fuse, flickering lights or worse—call us today to protect your home with a professional electric panel upgrade from Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical. Call Today (512) 400-0280