Ask The Electrician:

Q: Do I need to upgrade my electrical service?

It’s not a secret homes have gotten bigger and we all have more modern appliances that use energy. According to the US Census bureau the median size of a new home was over 2300 square feet, this has almost doubled since 1970 and many areas homes are even larger.

Most homeowners only realize they need more service when they want to make additions or improvements. Lights dimming when your HVAC turns on or the main breaker tripping may be an indicator that your service is at its limit.  Your panel box may appear full and not have room for additional breakers.

You can identify your current service level by looking at the main breaker in your electrical panel. Normally homes have 200amp service but this often depends on when your home was built.

Prior to 1965:

Many older homes were equipped with as little as 60amp when constructed, it is very likely they have already been upgraded to at least 100amp, depending on when remodeling took place.

Homes built 1965-1980:

100amp was standard with the decade between 1970-1980 acting as a transition period to 200amp being the norm.

Post 1980:

200amp service is standard.  One exception to this rule of thumb is garage conversions and other structures that have been modified to become residential units may still have 100amp service. (Mostly garage conversions and in-law suites.)  Some larger homes have 400amp service already provided.

How much do I need?

If you have less than 200amp service, you should consider upgrading your service. Even with 200amp service your home may be reaching it’s limit.  If you are planning to remodel or add new appliances, you may discover that your current service isn’t enough.  Here are some common additions and upgrades when homeowners may discover they need to upgrade their service. Note: Breaker size does not directly dictate the service amperage usage – this is done with a load calculation but it can be an indicator of larger draws on your electrical service.

  • Hot tubs & Jacuzzis: require a dedicated 50amp breaker to heat water and run jets.
  • Upgrades to HVAC systems: dedicated 50-60amp breaker and split systems may need more than one breaker.
  • EV chargers: Level 2 home chargers need a dedicated 50amp breaker (sometimes higher), we are seeing more of these as electric vehicles become more common.
  • Electric on-demand hot water heaters: 40-50amp dedicated breaker, especially impactful if homeowners are keeping a standard hot water heater alongside the on-demand one.

Other considerations for upgrading service:

  • What is your current wiring situation? Older systems or cloth wrapped wires may need additional work to meet current building codes.
  • If you have an interior fuse box rather than a modern breaker type panel, you may need to make this a sub panel when upgrading service.
  • Are your utilities underground or overhead? Code requirements for underground wiring are already rated for up to 200amp service. Overhead connections can require upgrades to accommodate the higher service amperage.
  • Do you need additional space in your electrical panel? Because the electrical panel most often will be replaced as part of the service upgrade, now is a great time to consider adding additional space in the panel for future projects or splitting any circuits that may be overloaded.

The process:

Service upgrades require permits and coordination with your electrical provider but once everything is in place the process is fairly simple. In Chapel Hill, service lines must be underground so may require trenching or other yard work to be done ahead of time.  Once any prep work is done, most service upgrades can be done in a day. The power will be turned off during the installation but can normally be back on the same day. A new meter base and electrical panel is installed and connected to your existing wiring. Once installation is complete, the work is inspected and power is restored.

If you have questions about your existing service or are thinking of adding a major appliance that requires a large dedicated breaker, contact us for an estimate and let’s discuss your options and needs.

 

Scott Cummings leads the team at Dynamic Electric, a Hillsborough-based full service electrical provider for both residential and commercial needs. Dynamic Electric is dedicated to providing quality workmanship, outstanding service, reliable installation and safe repairs or troubleshooting for all their customers.

In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office at (919) 370-0056 or visit our website.

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