Proudly Serving Greensboro, Winston-Salem & High Point, NC
Your electrical panel is responsible for powering your appliances and devices daily, and it also supports your standby generator — but only if it’s up to the task. If your panel can’t handle the power your home generator requires, it won’t run properly and may even short out.
If you’re planning a new generator installation, Comfort First Heating & Cooling can help ensure your electrical panel can handle the new addition. If not, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel before you set up your whole-home generator.
Call today to request an electrical panel upgrade for a new generator in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, or High Point.
What Is a Transfer Switch?
It’s important to ensure your electrical panel isn’t overloaded, especially when your emergency power supply switches on. That’s where transfer switches come in. They keep the main and generator supply separate so that only one powers your home at a time.
There are manual and automatic transfer switches. Automatic transfer switches are preferred because you don’t need to turn on a manual switch to start your generator.
A manual or automatic transfer switch is required when installing a whole-home generator at any home with a main supply because it prevents your electrical panel from burning out and causing serious safety issues.
Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
The most common reason homeowners upgrade their electrical panels is because their panels are over 30 years old or they have fuse boxes instead of electrical panels.
You can also look out for these signs:
- Lights flicker when you turn on other appliances.
- Your electrical panel gets hot to the touch.
- Circuit breakers frequently trip.
- You smell a burning odor near your electrical panel.
- You hear cracking, sizzling, or popping sounds from your electrical panel.
- Wiring or circuit breakers are rusted.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
When you upgrade your home’s electrical panel, you can:
- Power your home during an outage: Your upgraded panel, paired with a transfer switch, will ensure that your standby generator powers your home safely and efficiently.
- Make your home more energy-efficient: It’s estimated that a new panel upgrade can save you 10% to 30% on your electricity bills.
- Avoid electrical issues: Tripped breakers and other issues happen when your electrical panel can’t handle your home’s power demands. Upgrading your panel is the best solution.
Choose Comfort First for Generator Services in the Triad Area
Comfort First proudly serves our neighbors with service backed by years of experience. We take your comfort and safety seriously and take a comprehensive approach to your generator installation.
We’ll thoroughly assess your home’s electrical setup to determine if you need a panel upgrade and transfer switch before your generator installation. You can count on us for upfront pricing, top-quality products, and trustworthy service every step of the way.
Schedule an electrical panel upgrade for your new generator. Call today for service in the Triad area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the correct amperage for my transfer switch?
Comfort First can help you determine the right amperage, but it will need to match your generator’s load.
It’s important to ensure that your generator offers enough amperage to power your home’s devices and appliances, with a small buffer for safety.
How far can a generator be from a breaker box?
This will depend on your home, but generally, there should be 60 to 70 feet between the generator and the transfer switch to reduce generator noise and maximize efficiency.
Can I install a subpanel for a standby generator?
No. If you use a subpanel for your generator rather than upgrading your panel and adding a transfer switch, you could end up backfeeding the power grid. This can be extremely dangerous.
