Electrical Panel Upgrade in Germantown, WI

Name: Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
Address: 8232 N Teutonia Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53209, US
Telephone: 414-206-3049
Price range: $-$$$

Your electrical panel is the nerve center of your home. If it can't keep up with today's loads—or if it's a brand that has become a safety and insurance concern—it's time to upgrade. Germantown's Washington County ranch homes from the 1970s frequently have Zinsco or Federal Pacific panels nearing the end of their safe service life. Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has served Germantown and Washington County for more than 60 years, and our licensed electricians make panel upgrades straightforward, code-compliant, and fully permitted.

## From 100 to 200 Amps: Why It Matters

The standard upgrade path is from a 100-amp service to a 200-amp panel. This doubles your home's electrical capacity and makes room for the circuits that modern households require: dedicated HVAC systems, electric ranges, EV chargers, home offices, and whole-home generators. Germantown's growing community of home-based businesses and shop owners needs the dedicated sub-panels a 200-amp upgrade enables. In some cases—particularly for larger homes or properties with detached workshops and EV fleets—we can engineer a 400-amp service entrance instead.

## Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panels: Know the Risk

Germantown has its share of homes with Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco/Sylvania electrical panels. These brands were manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s and have been linked to breakers that fail to trip under overload conditions, creating a fire hazard. Many homeowners' insurance carriers now require their replacement as a condition of coverage. If you're unsure what brand of panel you have, Burkhardt will inspect it at no obligation and give you an honest assessment.

## EV Charger Readiness Built Right In

Upgrading your panel is the ideal time to add a dedicated 240V, 50-amp circuit for a Level 2 EV charger. Whether you drive a Tesla, a Ford F-150 Lightning, or any other plug-in vehicle, a dedicated circuit charges your car overnight without stressing the rest of your electrical system. Burkhardt installs charger-ready circuits as part of every panel upgrade project upon request.

## Permits, Inspections, and Peace of Mind

Every Burkhardt panel upgrade in Germantown is fully permitted and inspected by Washington County electrical authorities. You receive a completed, code-compliant installation and documentation your insurance carrier will accept. GreenSky financing options are available for qualified customers.

Call Burkhardt at **414-206-3049** to schedule your free panel assessment in Germantown.

EV Charger Installation

As electric vehicles become more common across Southeastern Wisconsin, many homeowners need a Level 2 EV charger installed in their garage. This typically requires a dedicated 240-volt, 50-amp circuit from your electrical panel — and in older homes, a panel upgrade to handle the additional load. Our licensed electricians handle the complete installation: panel assessment, circuit addition, charger mounting, and final inspection. We install all major EV charger brands including ChargePoint, Tesla Wall Connector, JuiceBox, and Grizzl-E.

We install and service panels from Square D, Eaton/Cutler-Hammer, Siemens, and GE. For generators, we're authorized Generac installers — headquartered right here in Waukesha, WI.

(414) 206-3049

How long does a panel upgrade take in Germantown?

A standard 100-to-200-amp panel upgrade in Germantown typically takes one day. Power to the home is off for a portion of that time while the new panel is installed and connections are made. Burkhardt coordinates the utility disconnect and inspection to minimize downtime.

Will my homeowner's insurance rate change after a panel upgrade?

Many insurers offer lower rates—or reinstate coverage—once a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel is replaced with a modern, code-approved panel. Contact your insurance agent after the upgrade to report the improvement and ask about any applicable discounts.

(414) 206-3049