Home Electrical FAQ for Calgary Homeowners

FAQ For Calgary Electricians

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Popular Questions

When do I need to upgrade my electrical panel?

It may be time to upgrade your electrical panel if your home’s electrical demand has outgrown what the panel was designed to handle. In older Calgary homes, this is common because the original electrical systems weren’t built for today’s appliance load and modern add-ons.

You should start thinking “panel upgrade” if you’re planning renovations or adding high-demand equipment like air conditioning, a hot tub, or an EV charger, especially if you’re still on 60A or 100A service. Other warning signs include frequent breaker trips, lights dimming when appliances start, a panel that feels warm, buzzing sounds, or simply running out of breaker spaces.

Even if nothing seems wrong, panel upgrades can be preventative. Panels wear over time, and insurance companies and home inspectors pay closer attention to panel condition and capacity during sales. The best move is a licensed inspection so you’re not guessing.

Related: Electrical Panel Upgrades in Calgary

How much does a 100A to 200A panel upgrade cost in Calgary?

A typical 100A to 200A panel upgrade in Calgary often falls in the $3,500–$5,500 range, but the final cost depends on what your home needs to meet today’s code and load requirements.

Common factors that affect price include: where the panel is located, grounding and bonding upgrades, the condition of your service mast, the age of the home, and whether any additional code upgrades are needed. Finished basements can add labour if access is tight or wiring is older. If utility coordination is required (temporary disconnect/reconnect), that can also influence timing and complexity.

The most important part isn’t chasing the cheapest number. It’s getting an itemized scope that explains the process: what’s being upgraded, what permits/inspections are involved, what the downtime looks like, and what “done right” includes.

Related: Panel & Service Upgrades and Get an Online Estimate

Is my home’s electrical panel safe?

Panel safety comes down to condition, age, and whether it’s installed correctly to code. Panels older than 30–40 years may no longer meet modern safety standards and can develop issues like corrosion, worn components, or loose connections.

Red flags include burning smells, rust, warm breakers, buzzing sounds, or breakers that won’t stay reset. Some panel brands also have reputations for reliability issues, and a panel that’s not properly grounded/bonded can create safety risks and inspection problems.

If you’re unsure, don’t play detective with electrical equipment. A licensed electrician can inspect the panel, check connections and grounding, and tell you what’s actually going on.

Related: Electrical Panel Upgrades in Calgary

Why do my breakers keep tripping?

Breakers trip to protect your home. When tripping becomes frequent or repeatable, it’s a sign something isn’t right and it shouldn’t be ignored.

Common causes include overloaded circuits (too many devices on one circuit), damaged wiring, worn outlets, or moisture. Overloading is especially common in older Calgary homes where kitchens, bathrooms, and garages weren’t designed for today’s electrical demand. Over time, circuits can also be modified without properly balancing loads, which creates ongoing issues.

Resetting the breaker isn’t a solution. It’s a temporary reaction to a safety device doing its job. A qualified electrician can identify the root cause and fix it safely, reducing the risk of overheating, shock hazards, or more expensive repairs later.

Related: Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair

Can aluminum wiring be made safe?

Yes. Aluminum wiring can be safe when it’s installed correctly with the right materials and methods. Many homes built in the 1960s and 1970s used aluminum branch-circuit wiring. The issue is that older installs sometimes used improper devices or connectors, and over time aluminum can loosen or oxidize, which increases heat and fire risk if left unaddressed.

Modern materials and approved connection methods can correct those risks. Aluminum is still used today in the right applications (like feeder cables). The key is having a qualified electrician assess what you have and upgrade connections/devices where needed.

If aluminum wiring is on your radar because of insurance or a home inspection, the goal is clear documentation and code-compliant fixes, not guesswork.

Related: Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair

Do I need a load calculation for an EV charger or AC unit?

In many cases, yes. Most Calgary homes have 100A service, and adding a high-demand appliance like an EV charger or air conditioning can push the system closer to its limit.

A load calculation determines whether your existing service can safely handle the extra demand. It’s the difference between “it works today” and “it’s safe and code-compliant long-term.” Crew Electrical Services can complete the load calculation, explain the results, and submit what’s required when applicable.

If upgrades are needed, you should get clear options, not panic. Sometimes the right answer is a panel upgrade. Sometimes it’s load management. The point is to make the installation safe and compliant without guessing.

Related: EV Charger Installation and Panel Upgrades

What is a load shedding device and when is it required?

A load shedding device is installed near your panel to prevent overload when you add high-draw equipment (like an EV charger or AC) to a home that’s close to capacity.

One common approach monitors total home usage and temporarily pauses the high-draw device if the service is nearing overload. Another approach prioritizes one load over another (for example, switching between a dryer and an EV charger). These systems are automatic and designed to avoid nuisance tripping and unsafe demand spikes.

Load shedding can be a practical alternative to a full panel upgrade, depending on how limited your capacity is and what you’re adding. A load calculation helps determine whether load management is enough or if an upgrade is the safer long-term move.

Related: EV Charger Installation

How long does a panel upgrade take?

Most panel upgrades are completed in one full day. In many homes, power is off for most of that day while the old panel is removed, the new one is installed, and everything is safely reconnected, tested, and inspected.

The exact timeline depends on the age of the home, wiring condition, equipment location, and whether additional code upgrades are required. Utility coordination and inspections also affect scheduling.

Before work starts, you should get a clear plan: what the downtime looks like, what needs access, and what the day will involve. The goal is to complete the upgrade efficiently while making sure it’s safe and done right the first time.

Related: Panel & Service Upgrades

Do I need to be home during electrical work?

In most cases, you don’t need to be home during the full job. You do need an initial walkthrough so Crew Electrical Services can confirm scope, pricing, access points, and any special considerations.

After that, you can usually go about your day. If the job requires a power shutdown or access to specific areas, that should be communicated clearly ahead of time so there are no surprises.

The practical rule: be available for the start (scope + approval), and make sure the work areas are accessible. If anything changes during the job, you should be informed and approve any added scope before extra work is done.

Related: Get an Online Estimate

Will you clean up after the job is done?

Yes. Crew Electrical Services cleans up after the job, removing extra materials and leaving the space tidy and safe. That includes basic sweeping/vacuuming and making sure the area isn’t left with debris or hazards.

Clean work is part of professional work.

Related: Contact Crew Electrical Services