Electrical Panel Upgrades
in Sonoma County

Is Your Electrical Panel Ready for Modern Demands?

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's power system. It distributes electricity to every circuit in your house, and if it's outdated, undersized, or failing, it puts your entire property at risk. Eleos Electric specializes in electrical panel upgrades throughout Sonoma County — from Windsor and Santa Rosa to Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sonoma, and Sebastopol. We've upgraded hundreds of panels across the county, and we handle everything from permits to final inspection.

Many Sonoma County homes were built in the 1960s through 1980s with 100-amp electrical panels that were perfectly adequate for the appliances and electronics of that era. Today, with central air conditioning, EV chargers, home offices, hot tubs, and modern kitchen appliances, those 100-amp panels are pushed far beyond their safe capacity. An overloaded panel doesn't just trip breakers — it creates fire hazards.

100-Amp to 200-Amp Panel Upgrade

The most common panel upgrade we perform is replacing a 100-amp panel with a modern 200-amp service. This upgrade doubles your available electrical capacity and provides room for future additions like EV chargers, solar systems, battery storage, or home additions. Our meter panel replacement starts at $2,900 and includes the panel, main breaker, new breakers for existing circuits, PG&E coordination, Sonoma County building permit, and final inspection.

The process typically takes one to two days. On day one, we install the new panel, transfer all circuits, and coordinate the meter pull and reset with PG&E. Your power is usually off for four to six hours during the switchover. On day two, if needed, we complete any remaining circuit work and prepare for inspection. We schedule the Sonoma County building inspection as part of our service — you don't have to manage that process.

Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade

• Breakers trip frequently — especially when running multiple appliances. This indicates your panel can't handle the load.
• Your panel uses fuses — fuse boxes are outdated technology. Modern circuit breakers are safer and more convenient.
• You have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel — these brands have documented safety issues and should be replaced immediately.
• You're adding an EV charger or major appliance — a Level 2 EV charger alone draws 40-50 amps, requiring significant panel capacity.
• Rust, corrosion, or burn marks on your panel — these are signs of moisture intrusion or overheating, both dangerous conditions.
• Your home is over 25 years old — panels have a service life of 25-40 years. If yours is in that range, it's time for an evaluation.

Sub-Panel Installation

Not every situation requires a full main panel replacement. If your main panel is in good condition but you've run out of breaker spaces, or you need dedicated circuits in a workshop, garage, or ADU (accessory dwelling unit), a sub-panel is an efficient and cost-effective solution. We install sub-panels ranging from 60 to 125 amps, sized appropriately for the intended loads.

Sub-panels are particularly popular with Sonoma County homeowners who are building ADUs — a common addition in Windsor, Santa Rosa, and Rohnert Park where the housing demand has driven significant ADU construction. We ensure the sub-panel installation meets all California building code requirements, including proper feeder sizing, grounding, and bonding.

Breaker Replacement & Panel Maintenance

Individual breaker replacement is a common service we provide. Breakers wear out over time, especially if they've tripped frequently. We replace standard breakers, GFCI breakers, AFCI breakers, and combination AFCI/GFCI breakers with quality components from trusted manufacturers. We also perform panel maintenance including bus bar tightening, connection inspection, and corrosion treatment.

Permits & Inspections Handled

Every panel upgrade requires a building permit from Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management (PRMD). We handle the entire permitting process, from application to final inspection. This includes preparing the permit application, providing required documentation, scheduling the inspection, and being present for the inspector's review. Our long-standing relationship with Sonoma County inspectors means we know exactly what they look for, and our work passes inspection consistently.

Whether your home is in Healdsburg's historic district, Petaluma's east side, or a rural property outside Sebastopol, we navigate the specific requirements for your jurisdiction and ensure full compliance.