September 29, 2025
Denver Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades: What Homeowners Should Know
Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes
If your home was built between 1950 and 1988, your electrical panel could be widely considered a fire risk. Many older panels are not up to modern electrical codes and can let circuit breakers fail to trip, which can cause wires to overheat. If you suspect a problem, schedule an electrical safety inspection and ask about an electrical panel upgrade Denver homeowners trust for long-term safety and reliability.
Why Electrical Panels Become Unsafe
Your main service panel distributes power to every circuit. When breakers trip correctly, they prevent overheating and fire. When breakers stick or fail, heat builds inside the conductors and at connections. Some legacy panels are known to let faults persist. That is a serious safety risk for any household.
- Warning signs you might notice:
- Breakers that trip frequently or will not reset
- Lights that flicker or dim when appliances start
- Buzzing, arcing sounds, or a warm panel door
- A burning smell near the panel or outlets
- Rust, corrosion, or brittle wiring insulation
If any of these sound familiar, have a licensed electrician inspect your panel. A fast check can separate minor nuisance tripping from truly unsafe equipment.
Panels Widely Considered a Fire Risk
Homes in Denver’s classic neighborhoods like Park Hill, the Highlands, and Washington Park often still run original equipment. Panels such as Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), Zinsco, and some Challenger models are widely considered unsafe today because breakers may fail to trip under fault conditions. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1.4 million electrical panels have been recalled for thermal burn and fire hazards. Independent estimates attribute roughly 2,800 fires per year to FPE breaker failures.
- If you see “Stab-Loc” on your breakers, contact a licensed electrician to inspect your panel.
- Even if your model is not on a formal recall, code changes and higher modern loads can render it inadequate.
Our team performs electrical safety inspections, documents findings, and explains options clearly so you can make an informed decision without pressure.
When to Repair vs. Replace the Panel
Not every panel requires full replacement. We look at age, brand, load capacity, and condition.
- Repair or tune-up may fit when:
- The panel is code-compliant and structurally sound
- The issue is limited to a faulty breaker or loose termination
- There is adequate capacity for current and future loads
- Replace or upgrade when:
- The panel is on a known-risk list or fails safety tests
- Breakers overheat or fail to trip under simulated faults
- You plan to add EV charging, electric heat, or a heat pump
- The panel rating is too small for your home’s demand
We manage Denver permits and inspections for you and ensure the installation meets current NEC requirements and City and County of Denver amendments.
Our Proven 4-Step Upgrade Process
A safe, code-compliant panel upgrade should feel organized and transparent.
- Assessment and Estimate. We evaluate the existing panel, service conductors, grounding and bonding, arc fault and GFCI protection, and your energy goals. You receive a clear, flat-rate estimate.
- Customized Solution. We size the panel and service to your home, factoring in EV charging, solar or battery plans, finished-basement circuits, and future expansion.
- Installation and Upgrade. Our licensed electricians remove the old panel, install the new equipment, update grounding and bonding, label circuits, and coordinate utility disconnects as needed. All work follows local codes.
- Inspection and Testing. We complete torque checks, thermal and functional testing, labeling verification, and schedule the final city inspection.
We also offer sub-panel installation for additions, shops, and garages, plus circuit breaker replacement and surge protection for whole-home safety.
Smart Options: SPAN Panels, EV Charging, and Backup Power
As a SPAN authorized installer, we can replace your existing panel with the SPAN smart panel to modernize your electrical system without a utility service upgrade in many cases. SPAN helps you prioritize loads, manage energy, and pair with solar and batteries for longer-lasting backup. For EV drivers, SPAN Drive can optimize charging using your utility rate plan to charge faster when power is cheapest.
- Benefits you will notice:
- Real-time circuit control and prioritization from your phone
- Dynamic load management that can help avoid costly service upgrades
- Seamless integration with solar and battery systems
If you want resilient backup, our Tesla-certified team designs and installs Powerwall and Powershare systems. We handle assessment, design, permitting, installation, configuration, and final walkthrough, then stand behind the work with ongoing support.
Safety and Compliance: What Denver Inspectors Expect
Denver inspectors focus on fundamentals that prevent overheating, shock, and fire. During an upgrade, we verify:
- Correct service and panel sizing based on load calculations
- Proper grounding electrode systems and bonding
- AFCI and GFCI protection where required
- Correct conductor sizing, terminations, and torque specs
- Clear, permanent circuit labeling
- Working clearances and secure mounting
Our team manages permits and code compliance so you do not have to navigate technical details or timelines.
How to Prepare for Your Panel Upgrade
A little planning helps the appointment go smoothly.
- Choose a day with easy access to the panel and meter
- Clear a 3-foot workspace in front of the panel
- Plan for a temporary power shutdown during the main swap
- List any new circuits you want, like for an induction range or EV charger
We coordinate with the utility as needed and keep you informed every step of the way.
Cost, Timelines, and What Affects Pricing
Panel upgrades vary with equipment type, service size, grounding corrections, meter location, and add-ons like surge protection or a sub-panel. Most standard residential upgrades complete same day, followed by a city inspection. You receive an upfront, flat-rate price before work begins so there are no surprises.
Investing in a compliant, right-sized panel can lower nuisance trips, reduce overheating risk, and support modern electrification projects like heat pumps and EV charging.
Whole-Home Surge Protection: The Perfect Companion
Even a brand-new panel benefits from surge protection. Transient voltage from the grid, motors, or lightning can damage electronics. A Type 2 whole-home surge protector at the panel helps protect appliances, computers, and smart devices. We install and test surge devices, then provide annual support. As our site promises, we are here for annual inspections, questions, and warranty service down the road.
Common Questions We Hear in Denver Homes
- Is my panel a fire hazard? If breakers fail to trip, heat builds inside wires and connections. That is why older brands like FPE and Zinsco are widely considered a fire risk. An electrical safety inspection is the best first step.
- Will insurance cover my home if I keep an old panel? Many insurers will not write or renew policies for homes with certain panels due to elevated risk. Replacing unsafe equipment protects your family and your coverage.
- Can I add an EV charger without upgrading service? Often yes with smart load management. SPAN can prioritize loads and avoid a costly service upgrade while maintaining safety and comfort.
Local Insight: Where Age and Load Collide
We often see older 60–100 amp panels in mid-century homes around Arvada, Lakewood, and Aurora attempting to power modern HVAC, induction ranges, and EV chargers. That mismatch causes frequent trips and heat at terminals. Upgrading to a properly sized panel with AFCI/GFCI protection, whole-home surge, and clean labeling restores safety and reliability and sets your home up for the next decade.
Why Choose Bell for Your Electrical Panel and Service Upgrades
- Denver’s oldest licensed home service company, serving since 1926
- Licensed, bonded, and insured electricians with whole-home energy expertise
- SPAN authorized installer and Tesla-certified for Powerwall and Powershare
- Flat-rate pricing, permits handled, and same-day options in most cases
- Long-term support with warranty and annual inspection availability
Your safety comes first. We bring the materials, training, and process control to do the job right the first time.
Special Offers
- Special Offer: Save $200 on electrical panel installation. Mention the “$200 Off Electrical Panel Installation” coupon when you schedule.
- Bonus Savings: $50 off any plumbing, heating, cooling, or electrical service. Mention the “$50 Off Any Service” coupon at booking.
Not valid with any other offer. Present coupon to your technician at the appointment.
What Homeowners Are Saying
"Enrique and Axel just finished installing our new heat pump!... Trey, the electrician did great as well. Made the panel upgrade look easy!... I will definitely recommend Bell to all of my friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc."
–Tom T., Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger panels safe to keep?
They are widely considered a fire risk because breakers may fail to trip. We recommend an electrical safety inspection and typically advise full replacement for these brands.
How long does a typical panel upgrade take?
Most residential upgrades complete in one day, followed by a city inspection. Complex projects with service changes or relocation may take longer.
Do you handle permits and code compliance in Denver?
Yes. We manage permits, coordinate utility disconnects if needed, and ensure the installation meets current NEC and City and County of Denver requirements.
Can I install an EV charger without upgrading my service?
Often yes. With SPAN smart load management or a properly sized panel, we can support EV charging while keeping the rest of your home safe and reliable.
What are signs I need an electrical panel inspection?
Frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, warm panel covers, buzzing, burning smells, or visible corrosion. If your home was built between 1950 and 1988, schedule an inspection.
The Bottom Line
If your home was built between 1950 and 1988, your electrical panel could be dangerous, not up to modern electrical codes, and widely considered a fire risk. An electrical safety inspection is the fastest way to know. When it is time for an electrical panel upgrade Denver homeowners trust, choose licensed experts who manage permits, testing, and compliance.
Ready to Make Your Home Safer?
Call us today at (720) 534-2584 or schedule at www.bellplumbing.com/electrical/. Mention “$200 Off Electrical Panel Installation” or “$50 Off Any Service” when you book. Protect your home, your family, and your insurance coverage with a code-compliant panel upgrade.
Call (720) 534-2584 or visit www.bellplumbing.com/electrical/ to schedule your electrical safety inspection or panel upgrade today. Mention your $200 panel installation savings during scheduling.
About Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Since 1926, Bell has protected Denver homes with licensed, bonded, and insured electricians. We specialize in electrical safety inspections, panel upgrades, SPAN smart panels, EV charging, and Tesla Powerwall/Powershare installs. Expect upfront, flat-rate pricing, same-day options, permits handled, and workmanship backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Nearly a century of local trust, delivered with care and precision.