ELECTRICAL PANEL &
SERVICE UPGRADES
Safer. Stronger. Built for
Today and Tomorrow
Whether you need to replace an outdated panel, address insurance
concerns, prepare to sell your home, or add new electrical loads,
Wild Peak Energy can help determine the right path forward.
Licensed
Bonded
Insured
Local &
Trusted
5-Star
Rated
Wild Peak Energy provides electrical panel and main service upgrades throughout Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Citrus Heights and surrounding Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado County communities.
WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE TODAY?
Every Home - and every reason for considering an electrical upgrade - is different.
Find the situation that sounds most like yours.
YOU'RE CONSIDERING
REPLACING AN
OLDER PANEL
If your home has a Zinsco, Federal Pacific,
Sylvania, or other older electrical panel, you may have questions about its condition, reliability, or whether replacement makes sense.
We'll help you understand what you have and recommend the right solution for you.
YOU'VE RECEIVED
AN INSURANCE
REQUEST/DEMAND.
Receiving a notice about your electrical panel can be confusing, especially when you're unsure
what the insurance company is asking for.
Many insurance companies are reviewing older electrical panels. Send us the notice or a photo of your panel. We'll help you understand the electrical work that may be needed and guide you through the next steps.
YOU'RE PLANNING
WHAT'S NEXT FOR
YOUR HOME
A pool. A spa. An EV.
An ADU. A remodel.
Today's homes are doing
more than ever before.
We'll evaluate your existing electrical system and help determine whether it has the capacity to support your plans.
Sometimes an upgrade is needed. Sometimes it isn't.
Our job is to help you find the right solution.
YOU'RE CONSIDERING REPLACING AN OLDER ELECTRICAL PANEL
MAYBE YOU'VE KNOWN YOU'VE HAD ONE FOR SOME TIME.
NOW MAY BE THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE CARE OF IT
WHAT THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) FOUND ABOUT FEDERAL PACIFIC (FPE) BREAKERS
ZINSCO / SYLVANIA PANELS
Independent testing and documented field reports have shown that some Zinsco breakers may fail to trip during an overload and can develop loose connections that overheat.
CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZES
THE ISSUE
California Senate Bill 382 acknowledges that insurers may refuse to insure a home's electrical system because of its age and type, including Zinsco, Federal Pacific, GTE, Sylvania and Challenger panels
SB 382 was introduced to help homeowners address these insurance-related barriers
CPSC testing of Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
Stab-Lok breakers confirmed that many failed to trip within the time limits required by UL safety standards
Third-party testing of Zinsco breakers found a failure rate of approximately 32% when tested at 135% of rated current.
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breakers were investigated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after concerns were raised about their ability to meet UL performance requirements. CPSC testing confirmed that certain breakers failed UL calibration tests designed to verify proper operation under overload conditions.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - 1983 Investigation Report
Field Reports have documented overheating, arcing, and breakers becoming fused or welded to the panel bus
Source: California SB 382
Source: Independent testing and reports compiled by engineer Jesse Aronstein (inspectopedia.com)
INSURANCE FLAGGED YOUR ELECTRICAL PANEL
WE'LL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS AND GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM
DID YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY ASK ABOUT YOUR PANEL?
Insurers consider the type, age and condition of the electrical equipment during underwriting. This can result in requests for photos, an inspection, repairs, replacement or documentation depending on the carrier.
ALREADY RECEIVED A NOTICE?
SEND IT TO US.
Send us the notice along with photos of your service panel. We'll review the electrical portion of the request and determine when the best course of action is.
Sometimes all they need is an inspection report from a licensed and qualified individual.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE
UNDER A DEADLINE
Even if your carrier hasn't contacted you, many homeowners choose to replace known legacy equipment
proactively- rather than facing time pressure during renewal or property transaction.
Don't wait, getting a permit and utility approval can take weeks or months in some areas.
PREPARING TO SELL YOUR HOME?
TAKE THE ELECTRICAL PANEL OUT OF THE NEGOTIATION.
Seller #1 - Selling the Home "AS-IS"
“We’ll wait and see if it comes up."
​
BEFORE LISTING You know the home has an older Zinsco, Federal Pacific, or similar panel, but decide to leave it as-is. Maybe it won’t become an issue.
​
HOME INSPECTION The inspector identifies the older panel. What was previously just something you knew about may now become part of the buyer’s inspection report.
​
BUYER QUESTIONS Now you’re waiting. Will the buyer ask for replacement? A credit? An electrician’s evaluation? Will their insurance company have questions?
​
NEGOTIATIONS If the buyer does raise concerns, decisions may need to be made quickly. You could find yourself discussing contractors, estimates or credits while trying to keep the transaction moving.
​
HOW IT CAN FEEL Uncertain • Reactive • Rushed • Stressful
​
You may still get through the sale without a problem. But if the panel does become an issue, you’re dealing with it on someone else’s timeline.
Seller #2 - Upgrading BEFORE Listing.
"Let's take care of it before we list."
BEFORE LISTING You decide to address the older panel on your own timeline, before buyers, inspections, and closing dates enter the picture.
BEFORE THE FIRST SHOWING The upgrade is completed, permitted and inspected. You have documentation showing the work was professionally completed.
HOME INSPECTION Instead of discovering decades-old service equipment, the buyer sees a modern electrical panel and a recently completed improvement.
NEGOTIATIONS You’ve removed one known electrical concern before negotiations ever begin. There’s no old panel waiting to become a last-minute conversation.
HOW IT CAN FEEL Prepared • Proactive • Confident • Relieved
No improvement can guarantee a problem-free sale. But you’ve taken care of a known concern on your own terms—and can enter the market with one less thing to worry about.
TWO SELLERS. SAME OLDER ELECTRICAL PANEL
TWO VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES
Selling a home already comes with enough unknowns. Taking care of a known electrical concern before listing can give you greater control over the timing, contractor, cost, documentation and conversation.
BEFORE AND AFTER
FOLSOM, CA
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BEFORE AND AFTER
PLACERVILLE, CA
WHY CHOOSE WILD PEAK ENERGY?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Every home is different. Our goal is to help you understand what you have, what you need, and what your options are.
How do I know if I have a Zinsco, Federal Pacific, Sylvania, or other older panel? Often, the manufacturer name can be found on the panel cover, inside the door, or on a label near the breakers. If you aren't sure, send us a clear photo of your panel and we'll help you identify it.
I'm adding an EV charger, pool, spa, sauna, heat pump or ADU. Will I need a service upgrade? Not necessarily. The answer depends on your existing service capacity and the new loads being added. We'll evaluate the entire system first. We don't want to sell you a service upgrade you don't actually need.
My electrical panel has worked for decades. Why replace it now? A panel working today doesn't necessarily tell us how it will perform during an overload or fault. With older equipment, we consider the panel type, condition, available replacement parts, signs of overheating or deterioration, and whether it remains appropriate for the home's electrical demands. We can evaluate what you have and help you make an informed decision rather than assuming replacement is automatically necessary.
What does a main service panel upgrade actually involve? Depending on the property, the project can include replacing the existing service equipment, upgrading grounding and bonding, installing new breakers, coordinating permitting and inspections, and working with the serving utility when their involvement is required. We'll explain what's involved with your particular home before work begins.
My insurance company mentioned my electrical panel. What should I do next? Send us the notice or request you received along with photos of your electrical service. We'll help you understand the electrical portion of the request, evaluate the existing equipment, and determine what work may be appropriate. If replacement is needed, we can help coordinate the project from there.
Do you handle the permit and utility coordination? For a typical permitted service upgrade, yes—we can handle the electrical permit process and coordinate the electrical portion of the project with the serving utility when required. Utility requirements vary by property and service configuration, so we verify those requirements as part of planning the project.
Should I wait until my insurance company requires me to replace it? You can, but waiting may mean dealing with the project under a renewal or cancellation deadline. Addressing a known concern proactively can give you more control over timing, scheduling, equipment selection and budgeting.
How long will my power be off? There is normally a period when power must be disconnected so the existing service equipment can be safely removed and the new equipment installed. The duration depends on the project, inspection and utility coordination. We'll explain the expected outage and scheduling before your installation.
Why might right now be a good time to upgrade? If you already know you have older equipment, are preparing to sell, have received questions from your insurer, or are planning future electrical improvements, addressing the service now may prevent you from having to deal with it later under more pressure. It can also create a better foundation for future additions such as EV charging, HVAC, pools, spas, saunas or an ADU.
Will you have to open my walls? Not always. Many service upgrades can be completed primarily around the existing service location, but every home is different. Existing wiring, grounding, service routing, stucco/siding and code-required corrections can affect the scope. We'll identify foreseeable impacts before the project begins.
Do I automatically need a 200-amp service? No. Bigger isn't automatically better or necessary. We evaluate your existing service and perform the appropriate load calculations based on the home and the electrical loads you're planning to add. Sometimes a 200A upgrade makes sense; sometimes there are other options.
What happens after the new panel is installed? The new service is inspected as required, utility power is restored or reconnected as applicable, and we test the electrical system before completing the project. You'll have a modern service installation ready to support the home's current—and potentially future—electrical needs.
Should I replace my panel before selling my home? It isn't always necessary, but some homeowners prefer to address a known older panel before listing. That allows them to handle the project on their own timeline instead of potentially discussing it after an inspection, during negotiations, or while trying to meet a closing deadline.
Will replacing my panel increase my home's value? We wouldn't promise a specific increase in property value. The practical benefit is that you're replacing older electrical equipment with a modern, permitted installation and potentially removing a known concern that could otherwise become part of an inspection or negotiation.
Can you tell me what I need without scheduling an appointment? Sometimes we can provide useful initial guidance from photographs. Text us photos of the panel, the breakers, the manufacturer's label and the area surrounding the service. We'll let you know whether we can identify the equipment and what the appropriate next step would be.
What if I'm still not sure whether I want to replace it? That's completely fine. An evaluation doesn't have to mean you've committed to replacing anything. We can help you understand what you currently have, its condition, your available options, and what we'd recommend so you can make the decision that's right for your home.
You don't need to know exactly what kind of panel you have or what type of upgrade you need.
​
Start with a photo or a conversation. We'll help with the rest.
Wild Peak Energy provides electrical panel and main service upgrades throughout Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Citrus Heights and surrounding Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado County communities.