Your house draws more power than it was built for
A lot of Rochester's housing stock was wired when a home ran a furnace, a fridge, some lights, and a TV. Now it runs central AC, a microwave, a dishwasher, computers, maybe an EV charger and a heat pump on the way. The electrical panel is the heart of all that, and in many older homes it's undersized, outdated, or genuinely unsafe. Most people never think about it until something trips constantly or an inspector flags it at sale.
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Warning signs worth taking seriously
- Breakers trip repeatedly, or you reset the same one again and again. That's the panel telling you a circuit is overloaded.
- The panel is a fuse box, not breakers. Common in pre-1960 Rochester homes and a sign of an outdated service.
- You have a known problem-brand panel. Federal Pacific (FPE Stab-Lok) and Zinsco panels have documented failure-to-trip issues and are widely considered fire risks. If you have one, replacement is a safety matter, not a convenience.
- 100-amp service (or less) in a home that now wants AC, electric appliances, an EV charger, or a heat pump. Many older homes still have 60A or 100A; modern loads often want 200A.
- Flickering lights, warm or buzzing panel, scorch marks, or a burning smell. Stop and call a licensed electrician now.
- Reliance on power strips and extension cords because there aren't enough outlets — a symptom of an under-built system.
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Why it matters more in older homes
Beyond the panel itself, older Rochester homes often hide knob-and-tube or early aluminum wiring in the walls. A panel upgrade is frequently the moment those issues surface, because the electrician is now looking at how everything connects. It's also the foundation for anything you add later — an EV charger, a heat pump, a finished basement, a kitchen remodel all lean on having adequate, safe service.
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What it costs in 2026
- Panel replacement, same 100A or upgrade to 200A: $2,500–$5,000 for a straightforward swap.
- Service upgrade to 200A (new meter base, mast, utility coordination with RG&E): $4,000–$7,000+.
- Add-ons that come up: correcting unsafe wiring found during the work, adding circuits, or relocating the panel.
A panel upgrade requires a permit and inspection in Rochester and Monroe County towns, and your licensed electrician pulls it. Unpermitted electrical work is a classic problem at sale and an insurance liability.
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Mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring an FPE or Zinsco panel because "it's never given trouble." The failure mode is silent until it isn't.
- Adding big loads (EV charger, heat pump) to an already-maxed panel without upgrading service first.
- DIY or unlicensed work. This is the one area where cutting corners risks a fire and voids insurance.
- Skipping the permit to save a little — it costs you more at resale.
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A practical next step
Go look at your panel. Note the amperage (on the main breaker), whether it's fuses or breakers, and the brand. If it says Federal Pacific, FPE, Stab-Lok, or Zinsco, prioritize getting it evaluated. If you're planning an EV charger, heat pump, or any remodel, the panel is the first thing to confirm.
A licensed electrician can assess your current service and tell you whether your panel is safe and sized for what your home actually runs today — and what it'll need for what you're planning next.