A homeowner shopping for a generator hookup got a quote with an expensive surprise when an electrician suggested a full electrical panel replacement for $6,000.
Here's what to know
The question came from Reddit's r/AskElectricians, where the original poster wrote, "I'm having an interlock kit installed and a hook up for a generator. Would anyone know if it is necessary to replace the panel to do so? I have an electrician saying that I have to in order to install a generator hook up. He's quoting me $6,000."
Commenters generally said the key issues were the panel's condition and whether it had enough space for the needed breakers, not simply the fact that a generator hookup was being added.
One reply said, "You need two empty spots directly below the main. If you can remove one of those, you can shift everything down to make room for the generator breaker and interlock."
"You can also do a generator transfer switch instead or a double throw transfer switch or even do the generlink you'd probably save about 4k doing so," another person suggested.
More background
A recurring point in the thread was that older equipment is not necessarily something to discard if it is still in good shape.
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One commenter noted, "CH panels are premium quality with silver plated copper bus bars. … I wouldn't toss it out just because it's older."
"Those are actually good panels with copper bus," another person said. "Hate to see it get replaced with some cheap aluminum bus junk."
"The only thing I can think of is that he wants the panel brought up to modern code before messing with it," someone else explained.
What can be done?
Rather than replacing the entire panel, some commenters said the first step might be reworking breaker positions near the top of the panel and, where appropriate, using tandem breakers to create room for the generator connection.
One commenter described, "You'd move two of the top breakers down using tandem breakers, then put in a new double handle for the generator, and the interlock plate."
Even with that method, the work would still involve "a wire" run to the inlet location and "the inlet box itself mounted," but commenters framed that as a much smaller job than changing out the whole panel.
Where can I learn more?
For homeowners comparing backup power options, there are many details to consider.
• A homeowner weighing whether UL listing is worth paying more found interlock prices ranged wildly.
• In Texas, a homeowner wanting backup A/C worried a 190-pound generator would be unmanageable overnight.
• Installers say next-gen home batteries are replacing aging generators with quieter backup power.
• After Hurricane Beryl, experts warned generator fumes can turn deadly during prolonged outages.
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