SPECIAL REPORT:

The Hidden Dangers of Outdated Electrical Panels—How Upgrading Could Save Your Home and Save You Money

Brought to you by Exquisite Electric, Your Local Red Seal Master Electricians, “At Your Service!!”

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image of Exquisite Electric's Best Electrician in Okotoks and the Foothills 2023 Western Wheel Award
image of Exquisite Electric's Best Electrician in Okotoks and the Foothills 2024 Western Wheel Award
image of Exquisite Electric's Best Electrician in Okotoks and the Foothills 2022 Western Wheel Award

Could Your Electrical Panel Be Putting Your Home at Risk?

If your home has an old and outdated electrical panel—whether it’s 60 amps, 100 amps, or even older—you might be facing serious safety risks, expensive repairs, or even losing power. Many homeowners don’t realize their panel is close to failing until it’s too late.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

At Exquisite Electric, we’ve upgraded and replaced over 2,000 electrical panels in homes across Calgary and the Foothills. We know how to spot problems and prevent disasters before they happen.

In this special report, we’ll reveal:

  • The dangers of outdated & expired electrical panels
  • Signs your panel needs upgrading (that most people miss)
  • How upgrading can increase your home’s value
  • Why you should never try to upgrade your panel on your own
  • The real cost of waiting too long to upgrade
Calgary Electrician, Bryan Kenly, performs an electrical panel upgrade while his Okotoks electrician apprentice, Noah, assists.

Do You Have An Outdated Electrical Panel? Here’s What You Need to Know

Your electrical panel (also called a breaker box or fuse box) is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It sends power to everything in your house, making sure your appliances and lights work properly and your modern life stays powered. But panels installed before the late 1990s may no longer be safe for today’s needs.

What Are the Risks of an Outdated Panel?

  • Electrical fires: Old or faulty wiring in outdated panels can start dangerous fires.
  • Overloading: Homes today need more power than they used to. An old panel can get overwhelmed, causing frequent breaker trips—or worse.
  • Costly repairs: Ignoring your old panel could result in expensive repairs later.
  • Voided insurance: Many insurance companies won’t cover homes with outdated panels, leaving you unprotected.

Don’t wait for a problem to happen. Find out if your panel is safe by booking a free, no-obligation in-home service quote with Exquisite Electric today—before it’s too late.

What size electrical panel do you need?

DYK? Electrical Panels Expire

Most electrical panels are built to last…but they don’t last forever. If your panel is older than 20 years, it might not be up to the job. Here’s what happens as it ages:

  • Worn-Out Components: Breakers and internal parts wear out, meaning they might fail to trip during a power surge—leaving your home vulnerable to fires.
  • Outdated Technology: Panels from the 1980s or earlier weren’t built for today’s tech and appliances. They struggle to keep up with modern power needs, causing more trips and potential failures.
  • Corrosion and Damage: Time, moisture, and dust can corrode connections, which can cause sparks, overheating, or failure.

If your panel is over 20 years old, it’s time for an inspection. Don’t wait for a failure—book your free, no-obligation in-home service quote with Exquisite Electric and make sure your home’s power is in good hands.

But, How Much Power Does Your Home Really Need?

Think about how many appliances and devices you use every day. Between your fridge, washer/dryer, air conditioner, and maybe even an electric car charger, your home’s power needs are higher than ever.

What if your current panel can’t handle it?

If you have an old 60-amp or 100-amp panel, it may not be enough. Upgrading to 200 amps is the smart choice for most homes today. At Exquisite Electric, we’ll look at your power needs and make sure your home is ready for the future.

 

Why Upgrade Now?

  • Support more appliances and home upgrades without worrying about overloads
  • Avoid constant breaker trips and interruptions
  • Increase your home’s value (buyers love updated electrical systems)
  • Keep your family safe with a fully up-to-code electrical system

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It: Real Praise from Local Homeowners

These are just two examples of homeowners who trusted Exquisite Electric to make their homes safer with a modern panel upgrade. You can be next—take the first step today.

“Bryan replaced my old, outdated electrical panel for me, and I have nothing but great things to say. He worked hard to keep my drywall intact, which saved me a lot of hassle. Everything works perfectly, and I feel much safer. On top of that, the service from Exquisite Electric was fantastic. Bryan and Trish were both so helpful and friendly. I will absolutely be using Exquisite again!”

Mandy Rietze

“These guys were fantastic for my main panel upgrade. From start to finish, they were total professionals. They showed up on time, explained everything clearly, and gave me a great price. They left the site clean and took pride in their work. I will definitely use them again for future projects.”

Eric Lauzon

What DIY Could Cost You

We get it. You like to handle things yourself, and upgrading your electrical panel might sound like a good DIY project. But let’s be clear: this is not a job for amateurs.

Here’s why:

  • High voltage danger: Working with an electrical panel means dealing with high-voltage power, which can be deadly if done wrong. #NOTWORTHIT
  • Legal and insurance problems: DIY electrical work might not meet safety codes, leaving you responsible for any accidents or damage. Most home insurance policies won’t cover work that’s not done by a licensed electrician.
  • Long-term costs: A poorly installed panel can lead to expensive repairs—or even total system failure.

Why risk it? Let Exquisite Electric’s Master Electricians handle it safely and professionally.

Signs Your Panel Needs Upgrading (Don’t Miss These!)

  • Frequent circuit breaker trips
  • Flickering lights
  • Hot or burning smells near your panel
  • Appliances that don’t work properly
  • Old panel types (especially if your panel is 60 amps or less)

If you’re dealing with any of these issues, it’s time to call Exquisite Electric.

Don’t wait—a small issue can turn into a big problem fast.

With a free, no-obligation in-home service quote, we’ll inspect your panel and give you expert advice on what to do next.

Get electrical panel safety inspection today!

A Story of Outdated Panels: Are Hidden Fire Risks Lurking in Your Home?

If your home was built before the 1990s, especially in the 1950s to 1970s, your electrical panel could be a serious fire risk. Old panels can hide dangers that don’t show up until it’s too late.

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels

One of the worst offenders is the Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panel, found in homes from the 1950s to the 1980s. Here’s why they’re dangerous:

  • 1 in 4 breakers may fail: Tests show that about 1 in 4 FPE breakers are defective, meaning they may not trip when needed.
  • Fire hazard: If breakers don’t trip, electricity can keep flowing, which could start a fire. Homes with FPE panels are 20% more likely to have a fire because of electrical issues.
  • Outdated and dangerous: Despite the risks, many homes still have these panels, unaware of the potential danger.
Image of a FPE Federal Pioneer Panel Logo Sticker
Image of an alternative FPE Federal Pioneer or Pacific Panel Logo Sticker

Zinsco Panels

Popular in the 1970s, Zinsco panels are another major risk:

  • Electricity keeps flowing: Zinsco panels sometimes allow electricity to keep flowing even when there’s a problem, meaning the circuit won’t shut off like it should.
  • Increased fire risk: This makes Zinsco panels more likely to cause electrical fires.

Other Outdated Electrical Panels

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 50 types of electrical panels have been recalled because of fire risks. Some other dangerous systems include:

  • Old fuse boxes: Found in homes built before the 1970s, fuse boxes aren’t designed to handle the power needs of today’s homes.
  • Split-bus panels: These older panels don’t meet modern safety standards and can be a fire hazard.

Are You at Risk?

While these examples are from the U.S., Canadian homes built in the same era have similar risks. If your home was built between the 1950s and 1990s, get your panel inspected. An older panel could be putting your home at risk of electrical fires.

image of a house on fire

Why Choose Exquisite Electric to Upgrade or Replace Your Electrical Panel?

We’ve been serving Calgary, Okotoks, and the Foothills for years, with over 2,000 panel upgrades completed. As Red Seal Certified, Master Electricians, we’re committed to making your home’s electrical system safe, efficient, and long-lasting.

 

What We Offer:

  • Expert panel upgrades to 100 or 200 amps
  • Fast, same-day service (so you’re never without power for long)
  • Fully licensed, insured, and code-compliant work
  • Friendly, professional service from trusted local electricians

Your Home Deserves the Best—Book Your FREE, No-Obligation In-Home Service Quote Today!

Don’t risk your home’s safety and power. For a limited time, we’re offering a free, no-obligation in-home service quote to check your panel and recommend the best upgrade.

Call Exquisite Electric today at [insert phone number] or visit www.exquisiteelectric.com to book your free quote. Our Red Seal, Master Electricians are ready to make sure your home is safe with electrical contractors your can trust.

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Image of an alternative FPE Federal Pioneer or Pacific Panel Logo Sticker
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