Rewiring and adding a subpanel are two very different solutions that solve different problems, so it helps to understand which one your situation calls for. Rewiring replaces the wiring throughout your home to address old or unsafe wiring, while a subpanel adds capacity and breaker space, usually for a specific area or set of new circuits. Choosing the right one, rather than assuming, saves you from over- or under-doing the work.

Here is how rewiring compares to adding a subpanel.

What a subpanel does

A subpanel is a smaller panel fed from your main panel that provides additional breaker spaces. It is the right solution when you need more circuits or capacity in a particular area, such as:

• A garage, workshop, addition, or finished basement
• A cluster of new circuits in one part of the home
• Extra breaker space when the main panel is full but the service has capacity.

A subpanel does not replace or fix your existing wiring. It extends your system to provide more circuits where you need them, provided your main service has enough capacity to feed it.

What rewiring does

Rewiring replaces the wiring itself, the conductors running through your walls to outlets, switches, and fixtures. It is the right solution when the problem is with the wiring, such as:

• Knob-and-tube, aluminum, or deteriorating wiring
• Ungrounded wiring throughout the home
• Damaged or unsafe wiring
• A system that no longer meets safety standards.

Rewiring addresses the safety and condition of your wiring, not just the number of circuits available.

The key difference

The difference comes down to the problem you are solving:

• Need more circuits or capacity in an area, with sound existing wiring? A subpanel is likely the answer.
• Have old, unsafe, or deteriorating wiring? Rewiring is what addresses it.

A subpanel is about adding capacity, while rewiring is about replacing wiring. They are not interchangeable, since a subpanel will not fix bad wiring, and rewiring is not necessary just to add some circuits.

When you might need both

In some cases, a home needs both. An older home with outdated wiring that is also being expanded might be rewired for safety and have a subpanel added to serve a new area. And both projects depend on adequate service capacity, so a load calculation is part of planning either one. An electrician can determine the right combination for your goals.

How to decide

The best way to decide is a professional assessment. An electrician evaluates your wiring’s condition, your panel and service capacity, and your goals, then recommends whether you need a subpanel, rewiring, or both. This ensures you address the actual problem rather than assuming the largest or smallest solution.

Rewiring and adding a subpanel solve different problems. A subpanel adds breaker space and capacity for a specific area when your existing wiring is sound, while rewiring replaces old or unsafe wiring throughout the home. A subpanel will not fix bad wiring, and rewiring is not needed just to add circuits. A licensed electrician can assess your situation and recommend the right solution, or both if needed.

Stella Electric installs subpanels and rewires homes for homeowners across the Baltimore area and throughout Maryland, with flat-rate pricing and no overtime charges. We will assess your home and recommend exactly what it needs. Financing is available on qualifying projects.