Ensure your home's electrical system is safe and can handle modern power demands. We replace outdated or hazardous panels (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco) and upgrade service amperage (e.g., 100A to 200A).
Expert panel replacements that meet all local requirements and electrical codes
Northern Virginia jurisdictions have specific requirements for electrical panel upgrades. In Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Alexandria, all panel replacements require proper permits and professional installation by licensed electricians.
Our team handles all permit applications and ensures compliance with local building codes. Each jurisdiction has unique requirements for equipment placement, grounding systems, and circuit protection that we navigate expertly.
Virginia follows the National Electrical Code (NEC) with specific amendments that affect panel installations. Recent updates require AFCI and GFCI protection in specific areas, proper grounding methods, and enhanced surge protection capabilities.
The inspection process in Northern Virginia involves both rough-in and final inspections. Our electricians coordinate with local inspectors to ensure smooth approval and avoid costly delays or rework.
Local environmental and infrastructure factors that impact electrical panel performance
Northern Virginia experiences severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and high humidity that can damage electrical panels. Moisture infiltration and power surges from lightning strikes are common causes of panel failures in the region. Many customers pair panel upgrades with generator installation for comprehensive power protection.
We install panels with enhanced weatherproofing and whole-house surge protection to combat these regional challenges and protect your new panel investment.
Many Northern Virginia homes were built in the 1950s-1980s with electrical systems that weren't designed for modern demands. Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and undersized panels are particularly common in established neighborhoods.
Our expertise with older home electrical systems ensures proper upgrades that integrate safely with existing wiring while meeting current code requirements.
The Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria areas have high concentrations of tech professionals and modern families with significant electrical needs. Home offices, EV chargers, and smart home systems strain older electrical panels.
We specialize in 200-amp upgrades that provide ample capacity for current needs plus future expansion as electrical demands continue to grow.
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. When it's outdated or malfunctioning, it can pose serious safety risks and cause operational issues.
In older homes, many electrical panels are outdated and weren't designed to handle modern electrical demands. Today's homes use 3-5 times more electricity than homes built just a few decades ago, making panel upgrades a necessity for many homeowners.
At AJ Long Electric, we specialize in replacing outdated panels with modern, high-capacity alternatives that deliver improved safety, reliability, and capacity for your growing electrical needs.
Support more appliances and devices with improved amperage
Modern circuit breakers provide better protection against electrical hazards
Updated electrical systems are an attractive selling point for potential buyers
Real panel replacement projects from our Northern Virginia service area
1960s Colonial Home
Replaced a dangerous Federal Pacific panel in a Vienna historic district home. The existing 60-amp service couldn't handle the family's home office needs and frequent breaker trips were disrupting work-from-home productivity.
Solution: Upgraded to 200-amp service with whole-house surge protection. Also added capacity for future decorative lighting upgrades and coordinated with Fairfax County's historic preservation requirements for exterior work.
Result: Zero electrical issues for 3+ years, home office runs multiple devices simultaneously
Emergency Storm Repair
Lightning strike during a severe Northern Virginia thunderstorm damaged the main panel in a modern townhome near Tysons Corner. The surge destroyed several circuits and created a fire hazard.
Emergency Response: Same-day assessment, insurance coordination, and temporary power restoration. Complete panel replacement within 48 hours. Customer also opted for generator installation and upgraded bathroom ventilation to prevent future storm-related power disruptions.
Result: Family safely back in their home with enhanced surge protection installed
Luxury Home Upgrade
McLean homeowner needed panel upgrade to support Level 2 EV charger installation for their new Tesla. Existing 100-amp panel lacked capacity for the 40-amp charging circuit plus existing household loads.
Complete Solution: 200-amp panel upgrade, dedicated 50-amp EV circuit, and coordination with our EV charger installation team for seamless project completion.
Result: Fast home charging capability with room for future electrical expansion
Zinsco Panel Replacement
Insurance company flagged a dangerous Zinsco panel during a home sale inspection in Great Falls. The panel's circuit breakers had begun melting to the bus bar, creating an immediate fire hazard.
Urgent Solution: Emergency panel replacement to meet insurance requirements and close the home sale on schedule. Coordinated with realtor and title company.
Result: Home sale completed successfully, new owners have safe electrical system
Regional factors driving the need for electrical panel modernization
Many Northern Virginia neighborhoods like Burke, Springfield, and Annandale were developed in the 1960s-1980s. These established communities have beautiful mature homes but often retain their original electrical systems.
Original Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and 100-amp panels are common and need upgrading for safety and capacity. Property values in these areas justify electrical modernization as a smart investment.
Northern Virginia has one of the highest electric vehicle adoption rates in the country. Tesla, BMW, Audi, and other luxury EVs are common in McLean, Vienna, and Great Falls.
Level 2 home EV charging requires 40-50 amp circuits that older panels simply cannot support alongside existing household electrical loads. Pool owners also need adequate capacity for pool pump and heating systems. Most EV chargers and high-demand specialty installations require panel upgrades to ensure adequate capacity.
The competitive Northern Virginia real estate market rewards homes with updated electrical systems. Modern 200-amp panels are increasingly expected by buyers, especially in higher-end markets like Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County.
Typical home value increase from electrical upgrades
Potential insurance premium reduction
ROI on panel upgrades in our market
See the difference a professional panel replacement can make in your home
A modern electrical panel provides numerous advantages for your home
Modern panels significantly reduce fire risks and electrical hazards with advanced circuit protection. They comply with current electrical codes and include AFCI/GFCI protection.
Support more appliances and devices with 200-amp service instead of outdated 60 or 100-amp panels. Add new dedicated circuits for home offices, kitchen upgrades, EV chargers, pool equipment, or attic ventilation systems without worry.
Eliminate annoying circuit trips, flickering lights, and power inconsistencies. Modern panels deliver stable, consistent power to all your home's systems and appliances.
Updated electrical systems are attractive to potential buyers and can increase property value. Modern panels can also reduce insurance premiums in many cases.
Prepare your home for future electrical needs and technologies. Modern panels provide room for expansion as your electrical needs grow over time.
Modern panels feature clear labeling and better organization of circuits. Makes maintenance, troubleshooting, and future electrical work much easier.
We specialize in replacing these outdated or hazardous panel types
Federal Pacific Electric panels, especially those with Stab-Lok breakers, are known fire hazards. These panels often fail to trip when they should, creating a serious safety risk. If your home has an FPE panel, we strongly recommend immediate replacement.
Common in homes built between 1950 and 1990, FPE panels have been associated with numerous electrical fires due to their failure to provide proper overcurrent protection.
Zinsco electrical panels have a critical design flaw that can cause the circuit breaker to melt to the bus bar, preventing it from tripping even during an overload. This creates a significant fire hazard in your home.
Popular in the 1970s, Zinsco panels can appear to be working normally while actually failing to provide proper protection. Identifying features include a vivid red or colorful design on the panel cover.
Fuse boxes are significantly outdated and cannot handle the electrical demands of modern homes. When a circuit overloads, the fuse blows and must be physically replaced, which can be inconvenient and potentially dangerous.
Many insurance companies will no longer cover homes with fuse boxes, or they charge significantly higher premiums. Upgrading to a modern circuit breaker panel improves both safety and convenience.
Pushmatic panels, recognizable by their push-button operation rather than toggle switches, are outdated and replacement parts are no longer manufactured. While not as dangerous as FPE or Zinsco panels, they often suffer from mechanical failures.
These panels typically only provide 60-100 amps of service, which is insufficient for most modern homes. We recommend upgrading to a 200-amp panel for improved capacity and reliability.
Many older homes have 60 or 100-amp service panels, which are insufficient for today's electrical demands. Modern homes with typical appliances, electronics, and HVAC systems require at least 200-amp service for safe, reliable operation.
Signs of an undersized panel include frequent breaker trips, inability to run multiple appliances simultaneously, and dimming lights when large appliances activate. We specialize in upgrading these panels to 200-amp service to meet your current and future electrical needs.
We follow a thorough, systematic approach to ensure your panel replacement is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards
Our licensed electrician will evaluate your current electrical panel, discuss your electrical needs, and determine the appropriate replacement solution for your home.
We'll provide a comprehensive written estimate and obtain all necessary permits. Our detailed proposal includes equipment specifications, timeline, and transparent pricing.
Our technicians will arrive on schedule, protect your property, and perform the panel replacement. This includes safe power disconnection, removal of the old panel, installation of the new panel, and reconnection of all circuits.
After installation, we thoroughly test all circuits and schedule the required inspection. We ensure everything meets or exceeds National Electrical Code requirements and local regulations.
We'll walk you through your new panel, explain how everything works, and provide documentation. Your installation is backed by our comprehensive 5-year warranty on both parts and labor.
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees or surprises
Perfect for smaller homes with basic electrical needs
Our most popular option for modern homes
Complete protection for high-demand homes
Need a specialized solution? We offer custom panel installations to meet specific needs:
Contact us for a personalized consultation and custom quote for your specific requirements.
Common questions about panel replacements
A typical panel replacement takes 6-8 hours to complete. However, this can vary depending on the complexity of your electrical system and any additional work required. The power to your home will be off during this time, so we recommend planning accordingly. We'll give you a specific timeframe when we provide your estimate.
Yes, electrical panel replacements require a permit and inspection. As a licensed electrical contractor, AJ Long Electric handles all permitting paperwork and schedules the required inspections on your behalf. This is included in our service price, so you don't need to worry about navigating the permitting process.
For most modern homes, we recommend a 200-amp panel. This provides ample capacity for typical household electrical needs plus room for future additions. Smaller homes with minimal electrical demands might be fine with 100 amps. During our assessment, we'll evaluate your current electrical usage, any planned additions (like EV chargers or new appliances), and recommend the appropriate size for your specific needs.
In many cases, replacing an outdated electrical panel can potentially lower your homeowners insurance premiums. Some insurance companies may even require panel upgrades if you have certain outdated panel types, like Federal Pacific or Zinsco. After your panel replacement, we provide documentation that you can submit to your insurance company, which may help reduce your rates due to the decreased fire risk.
We primarily install Square D, Eaton, and Siemens electrical panels, which are among the most reliable and respected brands in the industry. We select panels based on quality, safety features, and long-term reliability. Our electricians will discuss the specific options available and recommend the best solution for your home during the assessment.
Yes, we offer financing options to help make your panel replacement more affordable. We partner with reputable financing companies to offer flexible payment plans with competitive rates. During your estimate, we can discuss the available financing options and help you apply if you're interested. Many of our customers appreciate the ability to spread the cost of this important safety upgrade over time.
Contact us today for a free, detailed estimate. Our licensed electricians provide expert panel replacements with transparent pricing and a 5-year warranty.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured | 5-Year Warranty on All Panel Replacements