Upgrade Your Electrical Service Before The Holiday Glow Begins

by J&J on November 28, 2025 - photo by Anthony92931, CC BY-SA 3.0

There's nothing like driving through Northeast Ohio in December and seeing neighborhoods lit up with Christmas cheer - rooflines twinkling, trees sparkling, and inflatable decorations waving at every passerby. Holiday lights and displays are a big part of what makes the season feel magical.

But here's the not-so-magical truth: those decorations pull real electrical power, and many homes weren't built with today's holiday setups in mind. At J&J Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, we see it every year - breakers tripping, lights dimming, overloaded panels, and in worst cases, melted outlets or wiring damage.

If your holiday decorating has grown from "a few strings of lights" to "the block's brightest display," it might be time to consider an electrical service upgrade.

Why Holiday Decorations Test Your Electrical System

Modern holiday decorating often includes:

• Multiple strings of roofline, tree, and landscape lights
• Large inflatable characters
• Outdoor projectors and animated displays
• Heated pathways or lighted decor
• Smart plugs, timers, and controllers running all day

Each one might not seem like a big deal on its own. But together, they can stress older electrical systems - especially in homes with smaller panels or limited outdoor circuits.

Signs Your Home Might Need an Upgrade

If you notice any of these during the holidays (or any time of year), your electrical system may be telling you it's maxed out:

• Breakers trip when decorations turn on
• Lights flicker or dim when inflatables start up
• Extension cords everywhere because there aren't enough outlets
• Warm outlets, buzzing sounds, or burning smells
• Older homes with 100-amp service, fuse boxes, or outdated panels

Even if your system "handles it," running close to capacity repeatedly can shorten the life of your panel and increase fire risk.

Jay's Pro Tip: Say goodbye to seasonal light installations! With J&J Forever Lights, enjoy custom lighting for every occasion - without the hassle of setup and takedown.

What an Electrical Service Upgrade Does

An electrical service upgrade typically means increasing your home's electrical capacity and modernizing your panel so it safely supports your needs. For many Northeast Ohio homes, that can include:

• Upgrading from 100 amps to 200 amps
• Installing a newer breaker panel with safer, more reliable protection
• Adding dedicated outdoor circuits for decorations
• Installing weather-rated outlets, GFCIs, and proper exterior power access
• Improving whole-home surge protection

The result? Cleaner power, fewer trip issues, safer decorating, and a home ready for future needs like EV chargers, hot tubs, or a finished basement.

Safer Decorating Tips (Even Before an Upgrade)

While a service upgrade is the best long-term solution for heavy displays, here are a few quick safety wins:

• Use LED lights whenever possible - they use far less power
• Plug inflatables and lights into separate circuits
• Avoid daisy-chaining extension cords
• Use outdoor-rated cords and outlets only
• Add timers so nothing runs 24/7
• If something trips repeatedly, stop using it and get it checked

Holiday light safety isn't about reducing your fun - it's about making sure it stays fun all season long.

Serving Northeast Ohio Homes with Holiday-Ready Power

At J&J, we're proud to serve families across Northeast Ohio - and that includes helping your home stay safe, bright, and ready for the season. Whether you're putting up a simple display or creating a full winter wonderland, we can help you figure out if your electrical system is up to the task.

A quick inspection now can prevent headaches later - and make sure the only thing sparking this holiday is your decoration game.

Jay's Pro Tip: Along with a electric service upgrade, we recommend adding whole-home surge protection to safeguard your family and your electronic devices.