Electrical Panel Upgrade in the Bay Area: When and Why Homeowners Need One
Bay Area homes are reaching electrical capacity limits with added demands like EV chargers. Upgrade your panel to support modern needs safely.
As Bay Area homes add EV chargers, heat pumps, battery systems, and ADUs, many electrical panels are reaching their limits. If your home still has a 100-amp panel — or even an older 200-amp service — you may be closer to capacity than you think.
At Drummond Electric, we perform electrical panel upgrades throughout San Jose, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy.
Here’s what Bay Area homeowners should know before planning a panel upgrade.
What Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
A panel upgrade replaces your home’s main service panel with a higher-capacity, modern load center that can safely support today’s electrical demands.
Most upgrades involve:
New main service panel
New main breaker
Meter/main coordination with PG&E
Grounding and bonding updates
Permit and inspection
Circuit re-termination
In many cases, the service size is increased at the same time.
Signs Your Bay Area Home May Need a Panel Upgrade
Your Panel Is 100 Amps or Less
Many homes built before the early 1990s still have 100-amp service. With today’s loads, that capacity is often insufficient.
Common triggers we see in Silicon Valley:
Adding EV charging
Installing heat pumps
Induction range upgrades
ADU construction
Battery storage systems
Breakers Trip Frequently
If breakers trip when multiple appliances run, your panel may be at or near capacity.
This is especially common in homes with:
Older electric ranges
Multiple HVAC systems
Pool equipment
Garage EV charging
A proper load calculation determines whether an upgrade is needed.
Planning an EV Charger Installation
Many Bay Area EV charger projects require either:
Load management
Or a service/panel upgrade
We always recommend evaluating the panel before installing Level 2 charging equipment.
Your Panel Is Outdated or Unsafe
Certain older panels may warrant replacement regardless of capacity.
Examples include panels that show:
Overheating
Corrosion
Physical damage
Obsolete breaker platforms
A professional inspection can confirm.
200 Amp vs 400 Amp Service: What Bay Area Homes Need
This is one of the most common questions we get.
200 Amp Service — best for:
Most single-family homes
Homes with one EV charger
Typical electrification upgrades
Moderate HVAC loads
400 Amp Service — best for:
Large custom homes
Multiple EV chargers
Large all-electric properties
Homes with ADUs and pools
Future-heavy electrification plans
In many Silicon Valley neighborhoods, 200 amps remains sufficient — but load calculations are critical.
PG&E Considerations for Panel Upgrades
In the Bay Area, panel upgrades often involve utility coordination.
Typical PG&E steps include:
Service review
Meter requirements
Clearance verification
Possible service conductor upgrades
Utility disconnect/reconnect scheduling
At Drummond Electric, we manage PG&E coordination to keep projects moving smoothly.
Panel Upgrade Cost in the Bay Area
Costs vary widely depending on service size, location, and utility work.
Typical Bay Area ranges (2025):
Basic 200A panel replacement: often $4,500–$7,500
200A service upgrade with utility work: often $6,500–$12,000+
400A service upgrades: often $12,000–$25,000+
Factors that affect cost:
Distance to PG&E service point
Underground vs overhead service
Meter relocation
Trenching requirements
Main panel location
AHJ requirements
Every home is different — site evaluation matters.
How Long Does a Panel Upgrade Take?
On-site work: typically 1 day
With PG&E coordination: often 2–6 weeks total timeline
Project phases usually include:
Site visit and load calculation
Proposal and design
Permit submission
PG&E coordination
Installation day
Inspection and final energization
Panel Upgrade Service Areas
Drummond Electric provides panel upgrades throughout:
San Jose
Los Altos
Palo Alto
Mountain View
Cupertino
Sunnyvale
Santa Clara
Campbell
Saratoga
Los Gatos
Morgan Hill
Gilroy
Surrounding Bay Area communities
Why Choose Drummond Electric
Homeowners across Silicon Valley trust us because we specialize in high-end electrical infrastructure upgrades, not just basic panel swaps.
Our expertise includes:
200A and 400A service upgrades
PG&E coordination
EV-ready panel design
Battery and generator integration
Smart panel installations (including SPAN)
ADU electrical planning
We design systems that support the next decade of electrification.
Get a Panel Upgrade Quote in the Bay Area
If you’re planning an electrical panel upgrade in San Jose, Los Altos, or anywhere in Silicon Valley, Drummond Electric can evaluate your service capacity and recommend the right upgrade path.
We’ll review your current loads, future plans, and PG&E requirements to design a safe, future-ready solution.
Contact Drummond Electric today to schedule your panel upgrade consultation.