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The hair dryer routinely trips the breaker and kills power to the second floor. The kitchen lights dim when you run the microwave. The air conditioner can only cool one room at a time on a sweltering night.
You don't have adequate power in your house to support your daily needs; we've all been there. These examples might be nostalgic for some, but if you can relate in your current living situation, you might be stuck at a CORE level 1 power-constrained state.
Beyond the inconvenience and frustration of flickering lights and breaker resets, power-constrained homes face other trouble spots that are less obvious. Aging or overloaded circuits can compound inefficiencies, create system stress, or even pose safety hazards. In today's tech-heavy world, though, the biggest downside of power limitations may just be the lost opportunity to modernize your home.
Also: Stop waiting for an emergency to upgrade your home's tech - there's a better way
You might have looked at new innovative electrical appliances, but are forced to stick with gas because you don't have the power capacity. Perhaps you've even explored a new energy-efficient heat pump or thought about installing a level 2 EV charger, but hit an immediate wall when the electrician warned of the need for a full electrical overhaul.
Fortunately for those willing to tackle this challenge, upgrading your electrical panel doesn't need to feel like an insurmountable task or a purely sunk cost, but rather an investment in your future home life.
Getting over the upgrade hump
An electrical upgrade can certainly be expensive and seem daunting at first. In addition to the equipment and installation labor costs, you might also face an upgrade cost from the local utility for the extra amperage and permitting fees.
Like most things in the home tech world, though, a little bit of foresight goes a long way. If you're power-constrained today, ask yourself – where do I want to be in the future?
Level 2 (Operational) - Adequate power, no more late-night breaker flips, safety issues addressed
Level 3 (Resilient) - You can generate your own power (rooftop solar) or store your own power (battery system)
Level 4 (Empowered) - You can generate your own power AND store your own power, providing options and flexibility for time-of-use and outage protection
As you think about that, consider how much power you consume in a month. Not entirely sure? You're not alone.
According to a recent study from independent research firm Habitelligence, almost half of surveyed homeowners are unable to pin down their monthly consumption of electricity to within 500 kilowatt-hours(a typical US household consumes about 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, or just under 900 kWh per month, more in the hotter months with higher demand for air conditioning).
Get in front of it now, set yourself up for later
An electrical upgrade provides you with options, flexibility, and a measure of control and predictability in a critical part of your home infrastructure. While these upgrades might have more of a positive impact on your stress level than on your wallet in the short term, they will likely make your home generally safer and position you for future upgrades that could actually put money back in your pocket.
The reality of homeownership is that challenges like these tend to flare up at the worst times.
Whether it's a jacked-up estimate for your new air conditioning system because of a required panel upgrade, or someone buying your home hitting you with a demand for a big fat closing credit after a marginal inspection report, you will likely face this demon in the future, whether it's on your terms or someone else's.
I've personally been on both sides of the closing table when a failing system is at issue in a home buying negotiation. I don't like either side.
Tech bonus – up your panel game
If you do upgrade your service and need new electrical components anyway, you may have the
option to consider a more modernized smart panel that gives you circuit-by-circuit control and automation of home systems and appliances through an app on your phone. As opposed to the more common in-home smart technology that allows for control over individual light switches or outlets, smart panels provide an extra layer of control over power consumption.
They can help manage hard-wired systems that can't be plugged into an outlet or powered down easily, or for entire areas of a home where appliances and other electronic devices are switched off but still drawing power (sometimes called vampire loads). Essentially, smart panels can help slash unnecessary power usage and ensure critical systems stay powered when needed.
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There could be an even bigger bonus, though. Some homes could face a scenario where smart panel technology would eliminate the need for a service upgrade altogether. Using the power you need, only when you need it, not only reduces your consumption and monthly electric bill, but also provides breathing room against your home's maximum power capacity, potentially staving off an expensive upgrade.
Whether you're tossing and turning because you drew the shortest straw and have to sleep in the room with no A/C, or because you're longing for a more modern electrified home, taking stock of your electrical needs and visualizing your next stage of power maturity are the first steps in upgrading your home – and maybe lowering your blood pressure as well.
This article is part of a series exploring home energy maturity within US households. Based on recent research from Habitelligence, each article takes a closer look at the challenges and opportunities associated with different stages of power and energy readiness. From the energy-limited house to the automated self-sufficient smart home, people are starting to take a more active role in managing and improving the critical infrastructure that runs their everyday lives.
Read other articles in the series:
Rate your home energy maturity on the CORE scale of 1-4
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