Why should I replace my Zinsco panel?
If your home has a Zinsco or Sylvania electrical panel, you have probably been told it needs to go. That advice is worth taking seriously. These panels were installed in homes built or updated between 1950 and 1984, and decades of field experience have shown they can fail in ways that put your home at risk.
Why Zinsco and Sylvania panels need replacing
Electrical panels have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, depending on the conditions they are exposed to. Many simply wear out. Others need to come out sooner because of structural defects, oxidation damage, or factory safety recalls.
Zinsco and Sylvania panels fall into that last group. Known issues with these brands mean breakers may not trip when they should, which can let circuits overheat behind your walls. If you have one of these panels, replacing it is one of the best safety upgrades you can make to your home.
What happens after you approve the estimate
We keep the process simple and predictable. Here is how a panel replacement runs from start to finish:
- You get a written estimate. It is firm and will not change unless you request additional work.
- Once you approve it, we apply to your utility, PG&E or SMUD, for engineering approval and schedule the required disconnect and reconnect. We also pull all required local building permits and schedule the in-progress and final inspections.
- We schedule construction, perform the installation, and complete the final building department inspection.
- You get the peace of mind that comes with brand new, safe electrical distribution equipment.
What the day of installation looks like
We arrive around 8:00 am, ahead of the utility line crew. Your power will be off for most of the day, but you will not be left in the dark. We provide temporary battery or generator power for essentials like refrigerators, freezers, and computers.
Power is restored by the end of the day. From there, we schedule the final inspection and see it through to completion.
Code upgrades included with every new panel
A new main service panel has to meet current NEC code. We handle these required upgrades as part of every meter main replacement:
- Earth grounding. Current code can require up to two 8-foot copper ground rods driven into the earth near the new service. We coordinate with 811 "Call Before You Dig" to locate utility lines before we drive them.
- Ground bonding for all metal piping, including hot water, cold water, and natural or LP gas lines.
- Whole-home surge protection, which is required on all new main service panels.
What is not included
Our electricians are the best in the trade, so we stick to what we know best: your home's electrical system. Once a new panel is in, you may need some wood trim, stucco, or sheetrock repair. That work falls outside the electrical scope, but we are happy to recommend trusted trades to finish it.
We also take care to make the next trade's job easy. Whether it means removing trim, peeling back stucco wire, or cutting sheetrock square and reinstalling it, we treat your house as if it were our own.
Already have solar or a generator?
We have you covered. Our electricians are experts in solar, battery storage, and backup power generation. We can safely disconnect and reconnect any external power source as part of your panel work.
We can also install new equipment or add to your existing setup, including solar panels, grid-tied and backup batteries, and automatic or manual generators. Home energy is one of our specialties, so ask us about the rebates available for going solar with battery backup.
Why homeowners choose Cool Electric
A panel change is our specialty. Our electricians are the best in the trade, we treat your home like our own, and you can count on prompt responses and a hassle-free experience from start to finish. That is our promise, backed by thousands of satisfied customers and countless 5-star reviews.
Ready to replace your Zinsco panel? Call us at 530-444-0502