Why Burnaby Homes Need Electrical Panel Upgrades in 2025
As Burnaby homes continue to evolve with smart technology, EV chargers, and modern appliances, one critical area often overlooked is the electrical panel. In 2025, it's more important than ever for Burnaby homeowners to consider upgrading outdated panels to ensure safety, meet code, and future-proof their homes.
1. Aging Infrastructure in Burnaby Homes
Many homes in Burnaby were built before the 1990s and still rely on 60-amp or 100-amp service panels. These panels were never designed to support the electrical demand of today’s devices and energy systems.
Signs your panel is outdated:
Frequent breaker trips or fuses blowing
Lights flickering when appliances run
Warm or buzzing panel
No space for additional circuits
Upgrading your electrical panel in Burnaby ensures your home can safely support new technologies like electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, and solar panels.
2. 2025 Electrical Code Changes in BC
The British Columbia Electrical Code receives regular updates, and 2025 brings new safety standards and energy-efficiency requirements. These updates often affect load calculations, grounding, surge protection, and arc fault breakers. If your current panel isn’t compliant, insurance companies may require an upgrade — or worse, deny coverage in the event of an electrical fire. Hiring a licensed Burnaby electrician ensures your panel meets 2025 BC code standards, helping protect your home and family.
3. Supporting Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Burnaby is actively promoting green initiatives, with many households switching to:
Electric vehicles (EVs)
Heat pump systems
Smart home automation
Solar panel installations
All of these place higher loads on your electrical system. Without a modern panel (usually 200 amps or higher), your home may struggle to support the load, risking damage to sensitive electronics or inefficient operation.
4. Home Insurance & Real Estate Value
An outdated panel can negatively affect your home insurance policy and even home resale value. Insurance providers in BC are increasingly scrutinizing homes with older panels — especially fuse boxes or early-generation breaker panels. Real estate agents in Burnaby often recommend electrical panel upgrades as a selling feature. A new panel provides peace of mind to buyers and often increases your home's value.
5. Avoid Emergency Repairs
Waiting until your panel fails can lead to emergency repairs, fire hazards, or complete service outages. These situations are stressful, expensive, and often avoidable with a proactive upgrade. A planned electrical service upgrade in Burnaby can usually be completed in 1-2 days by a certified electrician — saving you time, money, and disruption.
Ready to Upgrade? Trust a Licensed Burnaby Electrician
At Kato Electrical, we’ve helped hundreds of Burnaby homeowners modernize their systems with:
✅ Professional 100 to 200-amp upgrades
✅ EV charger-ready panels
✅ Permit approvals & BC Hydro coordination
✅ Full inspections and panel labeling ✅ Transparent pricing and quick turnaround
Contact Us Today for a Free Estimate
If you’re experiencing panel issues or planning home upgrades, talk to our team about an electrical panel upgrade in Burnaby.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Panel Upgrades in Burnaby
Q: Does my electrical panel need an upgrade to handle today’s technology?
A: If your panel is over 25 years old, has fuses instead of breakers, or struggles to keep up with new appliances or EV chargers, it’s likely due for an upgrade. Signs include frequent tripping, warm breakers, buzzing sounds, or burnt smells. A licensed Burnaby electrician can inspect and advise if a panel replacement is needed.
Q: What size electrical panel do I need for an EV charger or heat pump?
A: Most EV chargers and heat pumps require a 200-amp service to operate efficiently without overloading your system. If your home still has 100-amp service, you’ll likely need a service panel upgrade before installing these modern energy systems.
Q: Does upgrading the electrical panel involve disconnecting power?
A: Yes — typically, power is disconnected for 4–8 hours during the upgrade process. At Kato Electrical, we coordinate with BC Hydro and work efficiently to minimize downtime.
Q: Is an electrical permit needed?
A: Yes. Any electrical panel upgrade in Burnaby requires a permit and inspection.
Q: Can I upgrade my electrical panel without replacing the entire system?
A: In many cases, yes. If your home's existing wiring is still in good shape and meets current safety standards, we can often upgrade just the panel and service connection. However, if we find outdated, unsafe, or overloaded circuits during inspection, we may recommend partial rewiring to ensure the entire system is safe, efficient, and code-compliant.