If your household’s electrical system is having difficulty meeting your power demands, it may be time for a heavy up. At Electrical Connections LLC, our licensed electricians provide heavy-up electrical services that improve safety, reliability, and performance for your entire home.
As a top-rated residential electrical service company with over 1,000 five-star reviews, we’re known for delivering work rooted in integrity and transparency. If you’re ready to upgrade your home with a heavy up service, contact us today to schedule a quote.
What Is a Heavy Up?
A heavy up is an electrical service upgrade. This is the process of increasing the amount of electrical power available to your home. Most older homes were built with 100-amp service, which was sufficient decades ago. Today, with more appliances and electronics, many homeowners upgrade to 200 amps or more to handle the additional load safely and efficiently.
During a heavy-up electrical service, our electricians replace your electrical panel and main service line to accommodate higher amperage. The result is improved capacity, fewer tripped breakers, and a system that meets current electrical codes.
Why You Might Need a Heavy Up
There are several reasons to consider a heavy up panel upgrade:
- Upgrading appliances or systems: New HVAC equipment, EV chargers, or modern appliances draw more power.
- Home additions or remodels: Adding new rooms, a basement, or outdoor living areas increases your electrical demand.
- Frequently tripped breakers: If your circuit breakers trip often, it’s a sign your panel is overloaded.
- Outdated electrical panels: Older panel models may not provide adequate electrical support.
- Plans for future upgrades: If you’re preparing to install something new that will require a lot of electricity, like a hot tub or electric car charger, a heavy up ensures your system can handle it.
- You have an older home: Many older homes were built with 60- or 100-amp panels that simply can’t handle the power demands of today’s technology and appliances.
A heavy up electrical upgrade helps prevent overloads, improves system safety, and prepares your home for future electrical needs.
What Is the Difference Between 100 Amps and 200 Amps?
The main difference between 100-amp and 200-amp service is how much electrical power your home can safely use at one time.
A 100-amp panel was standard for older homes built before the 1980s. It can handle basic electrical needs, like lighting, outlets, and a few appliances. It may not provide enough power for modern households with high-energy requirements.
A 200-amp panel, on the other hand, doubles your home’s electrical capacity. It allows you to run more devices at once without overloading circuits or tripping breakers. Upgrading to 200 amps provides extra flexibility for renovations, additions, or future technologies.
If your home still runs on a 100-amp panel, a heavy up electrical panel upgrade can bring it up to today’s safety and performance standards.
Warning Signs You Need a Heavy Up
You may benefit from a heavy up if you notice these electrical issues:
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Your circuit breaker panel makes odd noises, like crackling sounds
- The panel feels hot to the touch, or you see visible damage such as burn marks
- Warm or buzzing outlets or switches
- Limited outlets or reliance on power strips and extension cords
- Frequent breaker trips
- Electrical shocks
- Fishy or burning smells
- Appliances (especially new ones) fail to perform properly
These are all signs that your system is overworked or outdated. If any of these issues sound familiar, it’s time to call our professional electricians for a safety inspection.
Do You Need an Electrician for a Heavy Up?
A heavy-up electrical upgrade must be performed by a licensed electrician. The process involves working with your local utility company, obtaining permits, and adhering to National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. Attempting to upgrade your own service panel can result in serious safety hazards or code violations.
At Electrical Connections LLC, our team handles every part of the process, from permits and inspections to coordination with your utility provider. You’ll get a complete, code-compliant installation, transparent pricing, and exceptional workmanship.