Unless you’re already an electrician, thinking about changing the fuse box is not often on people’s minds. That is, until the power goes out, and you’ve got to go hunting for a new fuse to switch it out with. If that sounds familiar to you, it may be overdue to change out your fuse box. It may be time to get rid of the fuse box altogether.

Circuit breakers are replacing old fuse boxes and for an excellent reason. They have adapted to the change in the amount of power newer appliances and household items can suck up. A fuse box can’t compete with most surge-worthy items used in an everyday setting. Nothing is more frustrating than being in the middle of a big dinner, turning on your mixer, and suddenly in the dark! Or worse, a fuse can overload itself and spark and cause a hazardous fire that isn’t easily contained.

Besides eliminating the risk of electrical fire or being left without power, upgrading your old fuse panel allows for homeowner’s insurance. Nowadays, a home with an outdated fuse panel could easily be denied coverage because it’s a known danger and should be taken care of accordingly; otherwise, you risk a fire and no coverage to help sustain your home after all is said and demolished.

That’s a definite no-no.

Upgrading also allows you never to have to fuss over fuses again. Circuit breakers eliminate the need for fuses and installing fuses. Unfortunately, in some cases, the wrong-size fuse in an old panel could also cause a fire due to it not fitting correctly while in use.

The process could cost a pretty penny, but it is surprisingly affordable. It’s best to have a licensed professional, such as Leinster Electric, evaluate your electrical panels and determine if it’s time to upgrade your fuse box. You will be given an estimation, and you can decide from there what’s best for you and your family’s home. It’s a beautiful feeling to have the peace of mind that running the microwave and a/c simultaneously won’t end up in another blackout.