Electrical Panel Upgrades in Houston, TX
Breakers that keep tripping. Lights that dim every time the A/C kicks on. An old panel that was never built for today's power use. We replace and upgrade panels across Houston, and we pull the city permit for you.
When does a Houston home need a panel upgrade?
Your electrical panel sends power from the meter to every circuit in your home. It needs an upgrade when it can no longer carry the load safely.
The common signs are breakers that trip often, lights that dim when the A/C starts, a warm panel, or a burning smell. An old Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel is another. So is a plan to add an EV charger, a standby generator or a large appliance.
What we do on a panel job
Panel replacement
A full swap-out of a worn, damaged or outdated panel, including Federal Pacific and Zinsco units.
200 amp service upgrade
More capacity for homes that have outgrown their service, sized to the loads you run today and plan to add.
Breakers and sub-panels
Main breaker and branch breaker replacement, plus sub-panels for a garage, shop or addition.
Houston homes ask more of their panels than they used to
Many Houston homes were wired for a very different life. Fewer appliances, smaller A/C units, no car charging in the garage.
Today the same panel may feed a big central A/C, a pool pump and a home office. Some also feed an EV charger. Our summers keep the A/C running for months. When the panel is near its limit, you feel it first as dimming lights and nuisance trips.
Storm season adds another load. More Houston families now add a standby generator after a long outage. A generator needs a panel and a transfer switch that can take it. If that is your plan, read about our generator installation in Houston and our transfer switch installation work before you pick a panel size.
An old panel is a safety question, not just a capacity question
Electrical problems start a lot of house fires. The National Fire Protection Association estimates an average of 44,880 home fires a year involved an electrical failure or malfunction, from 2012 to 2016. Those fires caused an estimated 440 deaths a year.
Not every one of those starts at a panel. But the panel is where your home's protection lives. A breaker that does not trip when it should is a breaker that is not protecting you.
That is why we treat Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels as panels to replace, not repair. Both are common in older Houston homes. Parts are hard to find, and a patched panel is still an old panel.
Houston requires a permit and a master electrician for panel work
Panel replacement and service upgrades are permitted work in the City of Houston. The permit application must be signed by the licensed master electrician of record. The finished work is inspected by the city.
The utility is part of it too. CenterPoint's service standards say customers should notify CenterPoint before alterations that change its facilities. On a service upgrade, CenterPoint only reconnects your power after the city inspection approves the work.
We handle the permit, schedule the inspection and meet the inspector. RBG Services is a licensed electrical contractor, TECL #38858.
A new service must meet the 2023 electrical code
Houston adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code on September 1, 2023. You can read the city's notice on the Houston Permitting Center site.
Two parts of that code matter on a panel job. Both apply when the service equipment is replaced:
| Code section | What it requires on a home |
|---|---|
| NEC 230.67 | A Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device on any service that supplies a home. |
| NEC 230.85 | An emergency disconnect in a readily accessible outdoor location, for one- and two-family homes. |
That is why a proper quote includes more than the panel. Ask any contractor you talk to whether theirs does.
How a panel upgrade works with RBG
Look at the panel and the load
We check the panel, the breakers and your current and planned loads, so the size fits your home.
Permit and scheduling
We pull the city permit and set a date. On a service upgrade, we coordinate with CenterPoint.
Install and inspect
We swap the panel, label every circuit and meet the city inspector. Then your power comes back on.
Not sure it is the panel? Start with a diagnosis.
Sometimes a tripping breaker is one bad circuit, not a panel problem. We use circuit mapping and thermal imaging to find faults. If the fix is a single breaker, that is what we will tell you.
If it is urgent, such as a burning smell, a hot panel or sparking, call our emergency electrician in Houston line. You can also see our full list of residential electrical services. Planning an EV? Read about EV charger installation, since it often goes with a panel upgrade.
Panel upgrade questions from Houston homeowners
How do I know if my electrical panel needs an upgrade?
Watch for breakers that trip often and lights that dim when the A/C starts. A warm panel or a burning smell are warning signs too. Also plan an upgrade if you are adding an EV charger, a standby generator or a big appliance. A licensed electrician can run a load check and tell you for sure.
Is my Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel safe?
We treat both as panels to replace, not repair. They are common in older Houston homes, and replacement parts are hard to find. If you have one, we recommend a full panel swap-out.
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Houston?
Yes. In Houston, the electrical permit must be signed by a licensed master electrician of record. The work is inspected by the city. RBG Services pulls the permit and meets the inspector.
Will my power be shut off during a panel upgrade?
Yes, for part of the day. On a service upgrade, CenterPoint only reconnects after the city inspection approves the work. We coordinate the timing so you are without power for as little time as possible.
Does a new panel need a surge protector?
Yes. Houston adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code, and it requires a surge protective device on a home's service. That rule applies when the service equipment is replaced too. We include it in the plan.
Can you help me pay for a panel upgrade?
Yes. We offer financing options for larger projects. See our financing page, or ask about it when you call.
Larger project? See our financing options.
Get your panel checked by a licensed electrician
Tell us what your panel is doing. We will tell you if it needs a breaker, a panel or a full service upgrade.
(832) 291-4433Request a quote
