--- title: What's a Heavy Up? And Why Do I Need One? description: "Electricians perform heavy ups to increase the amperage entering a home at the service panel (or \"fuse box\") to enable the system to handle heavier loads." image: https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hubfs/DC%20RowHome%20(1536%20%C3%97%201400%20px).png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one#main-content) [![Wilcox Electric Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog.png)](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Aug 25, 2022 8:00:00 AM # What's a Heavy Up? And Why Do I Need One? [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-do-i-need-one) *![DC RowHome (1536 × 1400 px)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DC%20RowHome%20(1536%20%C3%97%201400%20px).png?width=1536&name=DC%20RowHome%20(1536%20%C3%97%201400%20px).png)Older homes, especially* [historic ones](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/how-were-homes-electrified-100-years-ago) *like those common within the Washington, DC area, were built long before many of our modern technologies existed. While most of these homes were brought into the 20th century at some point, many have not been updated to meet 21st-century demands. That's where a heavy up comes in.* A heavy up involves what many people call a "fuse box" or "circuit breaker panel," but what we electricians refer to as a service panel. When we do a heavy up, we increase the amperage coming into your house — at the service panel — so that your electrical system can receive and handle an increased load. A heavy up may be called for if you're considering installing central air conditioning or some form of home automation and your[home](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/3-reasons-to-heavy-up-for-the-new-year) was built more than 30 years ago. It's essential to ensure that the power center of the house is able to handle the increased demand and capacity. Think about the peak demand times during the summer when you are using central air conditioning in addition to other things like the microwave, hair dryers, computers, and the TV. ### Why should I bother with a Heavy Up? [Installing a Heavy Up](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/panel-changes) will make your home safer and better able to handle today’s greater electricity needs. This results in there being more stable power, better grounding, space for additional circuits, and the main breaker shut off (in case of emergencies). ### What are the signs I should look for? - Do the lights often flicker when electrical draws (window A/C unit, bathroom fan) are turned on? - Do your circuit breakers frequently shut off? - Are you putting on an addition that will increase the home’s square footage? - Are you installing a power-hungry item, such as a central A/C? ### Who does this kind of update? What does it require? A licensed electrician is the only person who should be doing this to your home. Please do not try to do it yourself. As for what it requires, the entire service panel usually needs to be replaced as part of the heavy up*.* We'll help you with the permit you’ll need as well as the inspections from the local county or municipality, and from the local electric company before they make the final connection at their end of the meter. We routinely do heavy ups and can make yours go smoothly and easily. --- [Contact us at Wilcox Electric](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) for a free estimate if you have questions about whether or not your home may need a heavy up or [other electric work](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/do-you-have-electrical-fix-it-projects-youve-been-putting-off). We've been in business for more than 30 years. Our customers regularly leaves us five star reviews for our fast and efficient scheduling, and for our professional and friendly electricians, and high quality work. [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Home electrical projects](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/home-electrical-projects) ## Related posts [![heavy-up-panel-2-450x250](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Wilcox_Electric_October2018/Images/heavy-up-panel-2-450x250.png?height=200&name=heavy-up-panel-2-450x250.png)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-does-my-old-house-need-one) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades) ## [What’s a Heavy Up and Why Does My Old House Need One?](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-does-my-old-house-need-one) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Nov 14, 2018 4:38:22 PM A Heavy Up involves increasing the amperage to your old home’s service panel so that your... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-a-heavy-up-and-why-does-my-old-house-need-one) [![Renovated Kitchen with new Electric Lighting, Home Improvement 2023 Wilcox Electric DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC04340.jpg?height=200&name=DSC04340.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/its-time-to-plan-your-home-improvement-projects-for-2023) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Ceiling fans](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/ceiling-fans), [Electrical safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-safety), [EV electric vehicles](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/ev-electric-vehicles), [Home electrical projects](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/home-electrical-projects), [Upgrade wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-wiring), [Aging in place](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/aging-in-place), [Energy efficient appliances](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/energy-efficient-appliances), [Outdoor lighting solutions](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/outdoor-lighting-solutions) ## [It's Time to Plan Your Home Improvement Projects for 2023](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/its-time-to-plan-your-home-improvement-projects-for-2023) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Jan 14, 2023 8:30:00 AM The holidays are over, winter has set in, and it’s the time when we start getting cabin fever. Have... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/its-time-to-plan-your-home-improvement-projects-for-2023) [![Lighten-up-the-concerns-about-your-electrical-system-with-a-Heavy-up-Wilcox-Electric-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lighten-up-by-Installing-a-Heavy-Up-Wilcox-Electric-DC-1.jpg?height=200&name=Lighten-up-by-Installing-a-Heavy-Up-Wilcox-Electric-DC-1.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/lighten-up-the-concerns-about-your-electrical-system-with-a-heavy-up) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Electrical safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-safety), [Electrical Panels](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panels), [Heavy-ups](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/heavy-ups), [Electrical Upgrade](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-upgrade), [Electrical System](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-system), [Electrical Service Upgrade](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-service-upgrade) ## ['Lighten Up' the Concerns About Your Electrical System with a Heavy-Up](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/lighten-up-the-concerns-about-your-electrical-system-with-a-heavy-up) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Aug 22, 2024 7:45:00 AM As summer temperatures rise, so does the demand on your home's electrical system. With air... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/lighten-up-the-concerns-about-your-electrical-system-with-a-heavy-up) --- [![Wilcox Electric Footer Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog-1.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog-1.png "Wilcox Electric Footer Logo")](http:///) 5602 Tuxedo Road Hyattsville, MD 20781 wilcox@wilcox-electric.com 301-583-8888 // 202-546-1010       Copyright © 2023 Wilcox Electric.