Electrical Service & Panel Upgrades in Southwest Ohio
Replace a fuse box or outdated panel, upgrade to 200-amp service, and give your home the capacity for AC, EV charging, a generator or your next remodel — permitted, inspected and coordinated with the utility.
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513-461-1536Call 513-461-1536Request a Free EstimateSigns your electrical service needs an upgrade
- You still have a fuse box
- 60- or 100-amp service
- Breakers trip frequently
- Lights dim when the AC or appliances start
- No open spaces left in the panel
- Warm, buzzing or discolored breakers
- Federal Pacific, Zinsco or similar older panel
- Adding an EV charger, generator, heat pump or hot tub
- Planning a kitchen remodel, addition or finished basement
- Insurer or home inspector flagged the panel
Panel replacement vs. a full service upgrade
A panel replacement swaps out an old, damaged or full breaker panel (or fuse box) for a new one at the same service size. A service upgrade increases the amount of power your home can draw from the utility — most often from 60 or 100 amps to 200 amps — and usually includes a new meter base, service entrance conductors, mast or riser, main panel and updated grounding and bonding.
Which one you need comes down to your current loads and your plans. We run a load calculation and give you options, not a sales pitch.
What’s included in a typical service upgrade
- Load calculation and on-site evaluation
- Permit application and inspection scheduling
- Utility coordination for disconnect and reconnect (AES Ohio, Duke Energy)
- New meter base, service entrance and main panel as needed
- Grounding and bonding brought up to current code
- Circuits labeled clearly so you know what’s what
- Optional whole-home surge protection
Planning a generator?
If a standby generator is on your list, plan it together with your panel or service upgrade. We can size the service and transfer switch for both and save you from doing work twice. Learn more about generator installation.
Subpanels, meter bases and service repairs
Not every project is a full upgrade. We also add subpanels for garages, workshops, additions and finished basements, replace storm-damaged or corroded meter bases and service masts, and correct problems found during home inspections.
Older homes in Dayton and Cincinnati
Much of the housing stock in Dayton, Cincinnati and older inner-ring suburbs like Kettering was built when a home needed a fraction of today’s power. We see fuse boxes, ungrounded circuits and undersized services regularly, and we upgrade them carefully with minimal disruption to plaster and finished spaces. We also serve Beavercreek, Fairfield, West Chester, Mason and Springboro.
Service & panel upgrade FAQ
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Common signs include a fuse box, a 60- or 100-amp service, breakers that trip often, lights that dim when large appliances start, a panel with no open spaces, warm or buzzing breakers, scorch marks, or plans to add an EV charger, generator, heat pump, hot tub or addition. An on-site evaluation will tell you for sure.
Should I upgrade to 200-amp service?
For most single-family homes adding major loads such as central air, electric heat, an EV charger or a whole-home generator, 200 amps is the common choice. Some homes need more and some can stay at their current size with a new panel. We base the recommendation on a load calculation, not guesswork.
Will my power be off during a service upgrade?
Yes, for part of the day. A service upgrade requires the utility to disconnect power while the meter base, service entrance and panel are replaced. We plan the work so the outage is as short as practical and let you know what to expect ahead of time.
Who coordinates with the utility and the inspector?
We do. Service upgrades require a permit and inspection, and the utility — typically AES Ohio in the Dayton area or Duke Energy in the Cincinnati area — must disconnect and reconnect service. We handle the scheduling and paperwork for you.
Are Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels dangerous?
Panels from brands such as Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok), Zinsco and some other older designs are widely flagged by home inspectors and insurers because of reported problems with breakers failing to trip. If your home has one, we recommend having it evaluated and, in most cases, replaced.
How much does a panel or service upgrade cost?
Cost depends on the service size, panel location, condition of the meter base and service entrance, grounding and bonding updates, and any circuits that need correcting. We give you a clear, itemized price after a free on-site estimate.
Ready for a straight answer on your electrical project?
Call or request a free estimate — serving Dayton, Cincinnati and everywhere in between.