Summary:

• Bay Area homes that went up before 1980 and haven’t been renovated since may still have older 60-amp or 100-amp panels. These devices are often incompatible with new technologies and can sometimes start fires.
• To check the amperage of your panel, look for numbers on the main breaker switch. You’ll find info like manufacturing date and brand on the door or a label on the unit.
• Age, brand, and condition are just as important as amperage because some older devices aren’t safe. Safety and security are the best reasons to upgrade.
• Upgrading to a 200-amp panel can also make your system compatible with most new technologies. It increases the value of your home and might lower your insurance.
• The installation process usually takes less than a day, but your power will need to be off before the work starts. We handle tasks like permitting and coordinating with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for you so you don’t have to.

If your Bay Area home was built prior to 1980 and still has the same original electrical system in place, there’s a good chance you might have a 60-amp or 100-amp panel. These older devices don’t carry enough electricity for most modern devices and may even be unsafe.

With technology advancing faster than ever and newer devices drawing an increasing amount of power, there’s never been a better time to upgrade to a 200-amp panel. These higher-capacity devices make your home safer to live in, are more universally compatible with high-draw devices, and let you use many appliances at once.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to tell what kind of panel you have now, why age and brand also matter, and how to figure out if upgrading is right for you. Get all the details, then contact Caccia Home Services to book an electrical panel upgrade that’s safe, reliable, and up to code.

How to Check Your Panel’s Amperage, Age, & Capacity

Don’t know what your current panel can handle? Let’s find out! First, you need to find it—it’s usually installed in your garage, on an outside wall, in the basement, or in a spare room. The instructions in the next two sections will tell you where to find the info you need.

Step 1: Check the Main Breaker

• Open the door of the panel carefully.
• Look for a large switch labeled “Main” at the top or bottom.
• Read the number printed on the switch (typically 60, 100, 150, or 200).

These numbers tell you the total amperage of your electrical service, but they don’t really tell us anything about the age or capacity of the unit. We’ll tell you how to find that next.

Step 2: Look for a Label or Sticker

Most panels have a sticker from the manufacturer on the inside of the panel door or on the side of the unit itself. This should list:

• The load rating (how much electricity the panel can handle).
• The model and/or serial number.
• The date it was manufactured.

On certain models, the date of manufacture may be stamped directly on the front or back of the door itself. So, if you don’t find what you need on the label, check the rest, too!

If you aren’t comfortable looking, come across knob-and-tube wiring, or just want the peace of mind that comes with knowing an expert checked out your system, call us for help instead.

Why Amperage Isn’t the Only Thing that Matters

Amperage tells you how much electricity is coming into your home (which is sometimes also referred to as the size of the “service”). This is important information if you’re considering an upgrade, but it doesn’t tell us anything about the age, manufacturing date, or brand.

Factors like these matter because they can help determine the safety and quality of the panel, including how likely it is to start a fire. Even simple wear and tear lead to breakdowns, failures, and fires, but some models may have serious defects you don’t know about.

We strongly recommend calling us right away if your panel:

• Is over 20 years old.
• Hasn’t been inspected in over 5 years.
• Is from Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE).
• Has older cloth wiring (more common before 1960).
• Lacks any visible labeling or a date of manufacture.

Theoretically, all panels should be routinely upgraded every 10-15 years anyway, but it’s really common for older units to be overlooked as long as they’re still working. No judgments! If you’ve been putting it off, let’s talk—we’ll help you determine if you’re at risk.

Why You Should Upgrade to a 200-Amp Panel

Reason 1: Safety

Safety is the best reason to upgrade to a newer 200-amp panel. These devices are designed to meet modern codes and transmit power much more efficiently and effectively, which makes them one of the most effective upgrades for older homes.

 Warning signs like these mean it’s time to give us a call:

• Breakers tripping when using high-demand devices.
• Short circuits, overheated wiring, and melted infrastructure.
• Frequent unexplained outages (often at the worst possible time!)

Remember: you can replace a panel at any time, but you can’t replace a life. Spending a little now to upgrade helps protect your home, your loved ones, your pets—and you, too.

Reason 2: Compatibility With New Technology

What’s more frustrating than needing an upgrade? Finding out you need one when you’re right in the middle of a bathroom remodel or some other important home renovation.

We’ve taken plenty of calls from homeowners over the years who were in this exact situation, and we can often get an upgrade sorted out quickly. But being proactive about maintaining and upgrading systems like these will save you a lot of headaches.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need to upgrade before you can:

• Install an EV charger
• Install solar panels on your roof
• Add central HVAC or a heat pump
• Finish your basement or build an addition onto your home
• Install a swimming pool, permanent hot tub, or sauna
• Upgrade your kitchen or bathroom appliances and/or utilities
• Set up a home office (especially if you run multiple machines)
• Expand your home by adding more circuits or high-draw appliances

The manufacturing date of the technology you want to install or use can also hint at the need for an upgrade. Any appliances or high-draw devices designed in the past 10 years will perform better—and more safely—if you install a 200-amp panel first.

Reason 3: Increased Home Value & Savings

Cost to upgrade is a common concern for homeowners, but anything you invest in a new 200-amp panel pays off big in the long run by increasing the value of your home. That means you’ll have more equity if you decide to sell at some point in the future.

In some cases, upgrading to a 200-amp panel can lower your insurance premiums or help you keep your insurance. That’s a big deal here in California with so many providers pulling out of the region and cancelling coverage.

What to Expect During the Upgrade Process

Panel upgrades are very straightforward, but they can be a little involved and your power will be off for at least part of the day. Here’s what you can expect from the first telephone call to final testing when you trust our licensed electricians to handle the job.

Step 1: In-Home Evaluation

When you call, we’ll schedule an in-home panel inspection so we can take a good look at your current wiring, grounding, and panel. If it’s in a location that no longer meets modern safety standards, we might need to move it on the day of your installation. We’ll work with you to find a new spot that’s up to code.

Our licensed electricians can also calculate how much power you need now and what you’ll likely need in the future at the same time. This gives you a rough idea of how much amperage you really need in your home.

Step 2: Permits & Planning

Every panel upgrade needs a permit, which is usually issued by the city. We’ll handle all of this paperwork for you behind the scenes. Once that’s sorted, it’s time to reach out to PG&E to let them know about the upgrade and schedule a temporary disconnection. 

Please note that the power must be off in order for us to upgrade your service, but we finish most panel upgrades in around 8-10 hours. In rare cases, the job may take up to two days to complete. We’ll let you know if this is the case in advance so you can plan ahead.

Step 3: Professional Installation

On the day of your installation, our licensed electricians will start by confirming that the power is safely off and the work area is secure. Then, it’s time to remove the old panel, which gives us the opportunity to more closely inspect your wiring. If grounding or anything else needs to be adjusted to bring you up to code, we can handle it while we’re there.

From there, installation is just a matter of:

• Preparing the new location for your panel (if required)
• Mounting the new device to the wall
• Installing all individual breakers
• Reconnecting your circuits to the panel
• Adding any new circuits, if you need or want them

Depending on your requirements, we may also need to upgrade your meter box at the same time. Don’t worry—we’ll tell you if this is necessary before we arrive.

Step 4: Final Inspection & Go Time!

Our licensed electricians work carefully and check each step along the way, but a final safety inspection confirms the work is up to code and ready for action. Assuming that we don’t find any problems, we’ll let PG&E know they can turn your power back on.

We’ll run a few final tests, then you’re good to go! If you want a quick walkthrough of your new panel and how it works, just let us know before we leave.

Common Questions From Homeowners

Q: My house is small. Is a 200-amp service too much for me?

Not at all! Upgrading to a 200-amp panel is about capacity, not the size of your home. Think of it like a tank on a hot water heater—when too many people run the hot water at the same time, the tank struggles to keep up with the demand.

With a water heater, the main risk is the frustration of having no hot water for a while. But constantly overloading a panel is much more serious because it can start fires.

Q: Will I need to rewire my whole house?

This is very unlikely unless your current electrical system is so old or damaged that it’s no longer safe to use. In most cases, minor updates to improve grounding or fix connection points is enough to bring you up to code.

If more serious issues do exist, we’ll find them during the initial inspection. We can work together on a plan for how to move forward from there.

Q: What does it cost to upgrade to a 200-amp panel?

Every homeowner’s setup is unique, so we can’t give you an exact figure until we inspect your electrical system. The average cost typically falls somewhere between $6,500 to $9500 for most customers, but the added benefits definitely make this a worthwhile investment.

Caccia Home Services always provides an upfront estimate for your approval before we start any work. We’ll also explain every step so you know exactly what to expect!

Book Your Electrical Panel Upgrade Now

Upgrading to a 200-amp panel is one of the best ways to future-proof your home and make it compatible with newer technologies like EV chargers and smart home systems. If you’re still running an older 60-amp or 100-amp panel, it’s also a great way to increase the value of your home and lower your risk for an electrical fire.

Don’t wait for new devices, insurance requirements, or renovations to force your hand. Call Caccia Home Services at (650) 294-8454 and let our licensed electricians help you get the future-proof peace of mind you deserve!