Why Does My House Have 2 Electrical Panels?

Imagine you’re shopping for a new home. As you explore the basement, you stumble upon two electrical panels. All houses have a panel that distributes electricity from the utility company throughout the property. But have you ever seen a home with two? Having two panels is more common than you might think.

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Why Might My House Need Two Electrical Panels?

Having two electrical panels might seem strange, but there are several reasons this might be necessary.

Multiple Living Areas

Some larger homes have two separate living quarters, such as an in-law suite or a pool house. By installing two separate panels, you can receive an electric bill for each and provide separate controls for both spaces. Two panels also make sense if you’re renting out part of your home or have a family member staying who pays their own bills.

Increased Electrical Demands

As families grow, your electricity needs may increase. If you’ve added to your home or expanded your property, you may find a single panel might not handle the extra load. Adding a panel, or subpanel, lets you distribute the electrical load evenly to prevent overloading.

Upgraded Electrical System

If you have an older home and are planning on adding modern appliances, your electric panel may not be able to handle the load from newer technologies. Installing an updated second panel can help bring your electrical system up to code.

Convenience and Accessibility

It makes sense to have two panels in larger homes or houses with multiple floors. One panel may be installed in the basement or on the main floor, while a subpanel is installed on one of the upper floors. Two panels save you trips up and down the stairs if you ever need to access the circuit breakers.

Proactive Measures

Some homeowners like to install a second panel as a proactive measure. Having a second panel makes it easier to adjust for future electric needs, such as adding more appliances or more complex energy systems such as solar panels.

Specialized Equipment

Specialized equipment, such as a swimming pool pump, hot tub or EV charging station, can place a heavy drain on your home’s electrical system. Installing a subpanel provides a dedicated circuit for maximum safety.

Understanding the Setup

When you have two electrical panels in your house, it’s important to understand how this setup works. In most cases, one panel is the main panel and the second panel functions as the subpanel.

Main Panel

Your main electric panel receives power from the electric company and distributes it to specific circuits throughout your home. The main panel has controls for the main breaker, which shuts off power to the entire household, including the subpanel.

Subpanel

The subpanel is an extension of the main panel. If your main panel is smaller, it only has room for a certain number of circuits. Adding a subpanel makes it easier to add additional circuits, especially if you’ve expanded your home. Subpanels are designed for separate living spaces or even for a stand-alone garage or shop with high-energy-demand tools.

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Safety Considerations for Two Electrical Panels in Your House

Having two electrical panels provides many benefits, but it’s important that the setup is safe and complies with local building codes. The following are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

Professional Installation

If you’re considering adding a second panel or a circuit, hire an electrician to do the work. A certified electrician has the knowledge and expertise to make sure the panel is installed or upgraded correctly.

Regular Inspections

Like any system in your home, your electrical system requires regular inspections to identify any potential problems. Outdated circuits, aging panels and older wiring can present a safety hazard and cause electrical fires.

Labeling

Label the circuits in each panel so you know which breaker goes to each area of your home. Labeling is helpful for emergencies when you need to quickly turn off power to a specific area.

Capacity Check

Make sure both panels can handle your home’s electric load. Hire an electrician to perform a load calculation or determine if upgrades are needed.