When everything’s working, your electrical panel is invisible. It hums along quietly behind a door in your garage, basement, or utility closet. But when something’s wrong—like a tripped breaker, flickering lights, or a dead outlet—you’re reminded that this unassuming box is the nerve center of your entire home.
At Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we know Spokane homes. Since 2000, we’ve been repairing, upgrading, and replacing electrical panels across the Inland Northwest—making sure families like yours stay safe, powered up, and prepared for whatever life plugs in next.
What Your Electrical Panel Actually Does (And Why It Matters)
Think of your panel like a traffic cop for electricity. It takes the power coming in from the utility company and directs it safely to every room, appliance, and outlet. Each “circuit” is protected by a breaker, which shuts off power if it senses a problem—like a short or overload.
That moment your microwave shuts off when the toaster is running? Your panel just stepped in to protect the wiring. When the lights flicker as your air conditioner kicks on? That’s a sign your circuits are near their capacity. Want to install a hot tub, EV charger, or just add another freezer? You’ll need your panel’s okay—and its capacity to handle more load.
Do I Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Some Spokane homes were built with 100-amp panels decades ago—great for the 1970s, not so great for 2025. Today’s homes are loaded with high-demand appliances, smart home tech, and sensitive electronics that need more protection and capacity.
Signs you may need a panel upgrade or replacement:
- Your breakers trip often or won’t reset
- You smell burning or feel heat near the panel
- You see rust or corrosion inside the panel box
- You rely on extension cords or power strips everywhere
- You’re adding something big (like an EV charger, hot tub, or AC)
Mainstream installs new 200-amp panels that meet modern codes, protect your home, and prep your system for future upgrades. We also offer smart electrical panels that let you monitor usage from your phone and automatically shut off unsafe circuits.
What About Sub Panels and Meters?
If your home has a workshop, detached garage, or an addition, you might already have a sub panel—basically a secondary box that extends the capacity of your main panel. We can inspect, install, or upgrade these as well.
And if you’ve ever wondered how your utility knows how much power you’ve used, that’s thanks to your electrical meter. In most cases, the mast (or service entrance) and meter base are homeowner responsibility—not the utility’s. If they’re damaged in a storm or need repair during a panel upgrade, we handle that too.
Why Choose Mainstream for Your Electrical Panel Project?
We’ve been doing this for over 20 years. Our licensed electricians don’t just swap out boxes—they evaluate your entire electrical system for safety, efficiency, and room to grow. We walk you through your options, explain every step, and install clean, code-compliant panels that are built to last.
- 24/7 availability for urgent issues
- Financing options to fit your budget
- Local, honest, upfront pricing—no surprises
- Skilled in smart panel upgrades and surge protection
- Whole-home assessments so you don’t just fix problems—you prevent them
We are Electrical. We are Mainstream.
Don’t wait for a major failure to find out your panel can’t keep up. If you’re seeing signs of strain—or just want to plan ahead—Mainstream is your trusted local partner. We’ll help you understand what your home needs today and tomorrow.
Schedule your panel inspection, repair, or upgrade with the electricians Spokane trusts.