Electrical Panel Upgrades in Orlando, FL
If your home’s electrical panel is struggling to keep up with modern demands, an upgrade is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your property’s safety and long-term function. Thomas Edison Electric serves homeowners and businesses across Orlando, Lake Mary, Sanford, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Ocoee, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, and Casselberry with professional panel upgrades that bring your electrical system fully up to current standards.
What an Electrical Panel Upgrade Involves
A panel upgrade—sometimes called a service upgrade or load center replacement—replaces your existing breaker box with a properly sized unit capable of handling today’s electrical loads. The scope typically includes removing the old panel, installing a new main breaker panel (commonly 200-amp for residential), updating service entrance conductors where required, and verifying that grounding and bonding meet the requirements of NEC Article 408 and Article 230. In some cases, we also coordinate with Duke Energy Florida or OUC to upgrade the utility meter base and schedule a utility reconnect after the work is inspected.
Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade
- Breakers that trip repeatedly under normal household loads
- A Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel (known safety concerns)
- Fuse box still in service instead of a modern breaker panel
- No room to add circuits for a new EV charger, addition, or HVAC system
- Lights that flicker or dim when large appliances cycle on
- Burn marks, heat, or a burning smell near the panel enclosure
How Thomas Edison Electric Does It
Our licensed electricians (FL License EC13015487) begin with a load calculation to confirm the right panel size for your household’s current and anticipated demand. We pull the required permit through Orange County or Seminole County—whichever applies to your address—and schedule the inspection so you have a stamped record for your insurance carrier and future buyers. All work follows NEC 408 panel construction standards and NEC 230 service entrance requirements. We coordinate the utility meter pull and reconnect directly with Duke Energy Florida or OUC, so you spend minimal time without power. Cleanup and a final walkthrough explaining your new panel’s layout are always included.
A Central Florida Angle
Older neighborhoods throughout Winter Park, Maitland, and established parts of Orlando carry homes built in the 1960s through 1980s—many still running on 100-amp or even 60-amp service that was sized for a fraction of the loads modern families require. At the same time, Lake Mary and Sanford have seen rapid new construction where panel capacity must keep pace with EV chargers, whole-house generators, and energy-management systems. Whether your home is a post-war bungalow near downtown Orlando or a newer build in a master-planned Seminole County community, the right panel size makes a measurable difference in reliability and resale value.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in the Orlando area?
Most residential panel upgrades in the Central Florida market range from $2,000 to $4,500 depending on panel size, whether service entrance conductors need replacement, and any needed sub-panel work. Homes requiring a utility meter base upgrade will be at the higher end of that range. We provide a firm written estimate before any work begins.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Orange or Seminole County?
Yes. Both Orange County and Seminole County require an electrical permit for any panel replacement, and the work must pass a final inspection before the utility will reconnect service. We handle the permit application and coordinate the inspection on your behalf—that paperwork is included in our service, not an add-on fee.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most residential upgrades are completed in one day. Homes needing service entrance replacement or utility coordination may require a second visit after the utility performs their work. We’ll give you a realistic schedule during the estimate appointment.
Will my power be off during the upgrade?
Yes, the service must be de-energized while the panel is replaced—typically four to six hours. We work efficiently to minimize the outage window and will confirm the planned cutoff time with you in advance so you can plan accordingly.
Ready to talk through your panel situation? Call Thomas Edison Electric at (407) 490-0004, request a free estimate online, or see examples of our recent panel work across Central Florida.