Trusted Electricians in
Mount Vernon & Beyond

If your home was built before 1980 and still has the original electrical panel, it's likely time for a replacement. Newer panels include modern safety features like whole-home surge protection and updated breaker designs that help prevent electrical fires caused by seized or failing breakers.

An upgraded panel also ensures your home can handle today's electrical demands — from EV chargers to modern kitchen appliances. Contact our team for a free panel inspection.

If your breaker trips when running kitchen appliances, the circuit is most likely overloaded. Homes built before 1980 were often wired with only one or two circuits for the entire kitchen. Running a microwave, toaster, and coffee maker at the same time can exceed the circuit's capacity.

The fix is installing dedicated circuits for high-draw appliances like your refrigerator, microwave, garbage disposal, and countertop devices. This is one of the most common upgrades we perform for homeowners in the Mount Vernon area.

While it may seem straightforward, EV charger installation involves several critical requirements. A Level 2 charger needs 240 volts from your panel, at least two open breaker spaces, and properly sized wiring rated for continuous load — meaning the breaker and wiring must handle 125% of the maximum draw. A 48-amp charger, for example, typically requires a 60-amp circuit.

Factors like conduit size, wire insulation, and proper terminations also need to be considered. We strongly recommend hiring a licensed electrician — the safety of your home and family should always come first. Learn more about our EV charger installation service.

You have two main options. First, some panels allow tandem (split) breakers — slim-design breakers that fit two circuits into one slot. This is a quick way to add capacity, but should only be done by a professional to ensure safe, correct wiring.

The second option is installing a subpanel, which gives you additional circuit space and room to grow as your electrical needs expand. Before adding a subpanel, the main service load should be evaluated to prevent overloading your system.

Start by identifying the largest loads in your home — furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and ovens draw the most power. If these appliances are older, upgrading to energy-efficient models can significantly reduce your monthly bill.

But the real culprit is often smaller loads that run continuously — old garage refrigerators, freezers, TVs, and computer monitors can quietly add up. Having an electrician inspect your panel with a meter gives you a clear picture of what's actually drawing power. Even small loads running 24/7 can add $50–100+ to your bill each month.

Outlets without a ground prong — common in homes built before modern codes — do pose a safety risk. Grounding provides a fault path that allows breakers to trip quickly during an electrical fault, protecting you from shock or fire.

You don't necessarily need to rewire the entire house. One effective solution is installing GFCI outlets, which can protect downstream outlets even without a ground wire. Another option is a GFCI breaker in the panel to protect the entire circuit. Both options provide significantly improved safety. We recommend having a licensed electrician inspect your outlets to determine the best approach for your home.

Secure Power is based in Mount Vernon, WA and serves homeowners and businesses across Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and Snohomish counties. Our service area includes Mount Vernon, Burlington, Bellingham, Lynden, Oak Harbor, Freeland, Anacortes, Camano Island, Stanwood, Arlington, Marysville, Everett, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Lynnwood, Bothell, Shoreline, and surrounding communities.

View our full service area map or call (360) 853-3625 to check availability in your area.

Yes. Secure Power offers same-day service whenever possible and responds to emergency electrical calls across our service area. Whether it's a power outage, a tripped breaker you can't reset, a generator that won't start, or a wiring issue that poses a safety risk — our licensed electricians are available to help quickly.

Call (360) 853-3625 for immediate assistance.