More capacity for EV chargers, pools, heat pumps, additions and modern kitchens, done to code with the permit and the utility handled for you.
Call (727) 476-7079 for a service upgrade assessment · Open 24/7
Service upgrade vs. panel upgrade
People use the terms interchangeably, but they’re different jobs:
- Panel upgrade: replaces the breaker panel inside or on the house. Your incoming power (amperage) stays the same. Panel upgrades →
- Service upgrade: increases the power coming into the building, commonly from 100 or 150 amps to 200 amps, or larger for big homes and commercial spaces. This usually involves the meter can, the service entrance conductors, the main disconnect, grounding and bonding, and a new panel, plus coordination with Duke Energy or TECO (Tampa Electric) to disconnect and reconnect power.
Many homes in our area were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Census data puts the median year built at 1969 in St. Petersburg and 1979 in Seminole, so a lot of houses still have the service they were built with, and it wasn’t sized for today’s loads.
Signs you may need more capacity
- You’re adding a Level 2 EV charger, pool or spa, electric tankless water heater, or an addition
- The main breaker trips, or breakers trip when the AC and dryer run together
- There’s no space left in the panel and you’re using tandem breakers to squeeze more in
- You have a 100-amp service with central AC and an electric range, dryer and water heater
- An insurance inspection or home sale flagged the service as undersized or outdated
Not every new load needs a service upgrade. A SPAN smart panel or a load-managed EV charger can sometimes avoid one. We’ll tell you honestly.
How a service upgrade works with us
- Load calculation. We add up your existing and planned loads under the National Electrical Code method and recommend the right size. No guessing.
- Written quote. Scope, equipment, permit and timeline, in writing.
- Permit. We pull it from your building department (City of St. Petersburg, City of Seminole, Pinellas County, City of Tampa, and so on).
- Utility coordination. We schedule the disconnect and reconnect with Duke Energy or TECO.
- Installation day. Power is typically off for part of the day.
- Inspection and reconnect. We meet the inspector, the utility restores power, and we label every circuit.
What’s included
- New meter can and service equipment as required
- New main panel: Good (ABB) or Best (Siemens with 10-year warranty)
- Whole-house surge protection (included with every panel install, and required by the 2020 NEC adopted in Florida for dwelling service replacements)
- Grounding and bonding brought up to current code
- Permit, inspection and utility coordination
- Circuit directory, labeled and legible
Commercial service upgrades
We also upgrade services for offices, retail, restaurants and light-industrial spaces, often as part of a tenant improvement or new equipment install. Commercial service →
FAQ
How much does a service upgrade cost? It depends on the amperage, how far the meter is from the panel, whether it’s overhead or underground, and what the utility requires. We give you a written quote after a site visit.
How long will my power be off? Most residential upgrades are finished in a day, and the power is off for part of that day while the utility disconnects and reconnects. We’ll give you the schedule ahead of time.
Do I need 200 amps for an EV charger? Not always. Many 100- and 150-amp homes can add a Level 2 charger on a properly sized circuit, or with load management. A load calculation tells you for sure.
Will a service upgrade help with my homeowners insurance? Insurers in Florida often ask about the age and type of electrical service during 4-point inspections. An updated, permitted service can help, but every carrier is different, so check with your agent.
Can you upgrade a condo or a manufactured home? Often, yes, but condos usually need association approval and may have shared meter banks, and manufactured homes have their own requirements. Call us and we’ll walk through it.
Ready to find out what your home actually needs? Call (727) 476-7079 or book an assessment.
Related: Panel Upgrades · EV Chargers · SPAN Panels · Member Care Plans · Service Areas