Electrical Service Upgrades

Serving Chicago and the Surrounding Area

Upgrading your home’s electrical service or relocating it underground isn’t just complex—it’s critical to get right. Let Red Star Electric handle the details, from load calculations to proper grounding and bonding, all while ensuring full compliance with local codes and utility requirements.

Interested in Electrical Service Upgrades? Contact Us

9 Reasons You May Need An Electrical Service Upgrade

Homeowners often find the need to for an electrical service upgrade for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Increased Electrical Demand:

Older homes often have less than 200-amp service, which may be insufficient for modern electrical needs like electric vehicles, kitchen appliances, swimming pool equipment, hot tubs, steam showers, or home offices.

2. Safety Concerns:

Outdated panels, particularly those using fuses, may not meet current safety standards and can pose fire hazards.

3. Aging Infrastructure:

Over time, wiring can become damaged or frayed, and panels may show signs of wear and tear, requiring upgrades.

4. Performance Issues:

Flickering lights, tripped breakers, or dimming lights can indicate that the existing electrical system is struggling to handle the load.

5. Adding New Appliances or Renovations:

Adding new appliances or renovating can require a larger electrical panel to handle the increased load.

6. Future-Proofing Your Home:

An electrical service upgrade ensures that your home can accommodate future electrical demands, such as solar panels or electric vehicles.

7. Improved Energy Efficiency:

Upgrading to a newer panel can improve energy efficiency and potentially reduce energy costs.

8. Home Value:

A modern electrical panel can increase the value of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

9. Reducing Insurance Premiums:

Upgrading your electrical panel can reduce the risk of electrical fires, potentially lowering your insurance premiums.

Why You Should Consider Burying Your Electric Lines

Homeowners often have the need to relocate their electrical service from overhead to underground for one or more of the following reasons:
1. Improved Safety:

Reduced Risk of Outages:
Underground lines are less vulnerable to damage from severe weather, including wind, ice, and snow, which can cause overhead lines to fall.
Reduced Risk of Fire:
Overhead lines can arc and spark, potentially starting fires, especially in dry weather. Underground lines reduce this risk significantly, according to Scenic America.

2. Enhanced Aesthetics:

Improved Visual Appearance:
Underground lines remove unsightly poles and wires, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of a neighborhood.
Increased Property Values:
Aesthetically pleasing streets and landscapes can increase property values.

3. Reduced Maintenance:

Longer Lifespan:
Underground lines generally have a longer lifespan and require less frequent maintenance than overhead lines.
Less Maintenance Needed:
Repairs to underground lines are usually less frequent and less disruptive than overhead line repairs, which may involve climbing poles or blocking streets, according to a Reddit post.

4. Other Benefits:

Reduced Environmental Impact:
Underground lines are less susceptible to damage from falling trees and have a reduced impact on wildlife.
Improved Land Use:
Underground lines allow for the installation of swimming pools, planting of larger trees and other landscaping features that may be restricted by overhead lines

Going Smart: Smart Panel Installation

Reasons to Install a Smart Electrical Panel

Electrical panels have come a long way since the fuse boxes of old. The latest technological leap takes the form of smart panels.

Here are several benefits they provide:

Improved Energy Efficiency: Smart panels can monitor and control energy consumption in real-time, helping homeowners identify and reduce energy waste. They can also optimize energy usage by switching between solar, battery storage, and grid power.
Enhanced Safety: Smart panels can detect faults and excessive power use, potentially preventing electrical fires and other safety hazards.
Cost Savings: By managing energy consumption more effectively, smart panels can help reduce electricity bills.
Increased Property Value: A smart electrical panel can be a valuable upgrade for any home, potentially increasing its value and making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Remote Access and Control: Smart panels offer remote monitoring and control capabilities, allowing homeowners to adjust their electrical systems from anywhere.
Preparation for Future Technologies:Smart panels are designed to handle the increased energy demands of modern appliances, EV chargers, and other smart home devices.
Load Management: Smart panels can distribute power efficiently, ensuring that essential circuits are prioritized during outages or peak demand periods.
Solar and Battery Storage Integration: Smart panels can optimize the use of solar panels and battery storage systems, maximizing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on the grid.

Red Star is a SPAN Authorized Installer

Red Star Electric is an authorized installer for SPAN smart panels.

SPAN Panel is a whole-home energy management system that enables any home for electrification upgrades like EV chargers, heat pumps, solar power systems, and battery storage.

Advantages of SPAN Panels

Control & Monitor Your Home’s Energy Usage in Real Time: Manage and monitor all of your home’s circuits in real time with the SPAN Home app.
Get the Ultimate Whole-Home Power Backup: SPAN pairs with battery storage to intelligently extend the length of your home's backup during an outage.
Get the Most Out of Your Solar Power: The SPAN panel can be seamlessly integrated with a home's solar energy system.
Optimize Your Power Usage for EV Charging: The smart SPAN panel can dynamically alter electrical distribution so you can efficiently charge your electric vehicle without overloading your system.
Prepare for Future Home Upgrades: Dynamic load management enables electrification upgrades like solar and battery systems, heat pumps, and EV chargers.