If you’ve got a small service, say up to 100 amps with a fuse box, in a two-story house and you’re thinking of upgrading to circuit breakers, replace it with a 200-amp panel. Don’t argue about it or debate its need, just do it. The last house we owned was a 1924, three-bedroom, one-story bungalow on a street of one-story bungalows. You could easily maintain that it only needed a 125-amp service, but a funny thing happened as Seattle real-estate prices headed toward the stratosphere: These one-story homes started becoming two stories. Owners decided it was more cost-effective to stay put and add on rather than to move. Five of our former neighbors on one block did this very remodeling to their homes. My point is that you cannot predict future needs. Given the relatively small cost difference between a 125-amp service and a 200-amp panel, there’s no point in installing the smaller service in a two-story house. One exception to my 200-amp rule is the presence of gas appliances. Our first house, for example, was adequately serviced by a 125-amp panel because we had a gas furnace, water heater, stove, and clothes dryer. As a result, the biggest single electrical loads in the house were the refrigerator and the washing machine, neither of which were huge draws on the system.Monday, April 7, 2008
Jump Up to 200 Amps
If you’ve got a small service, say up to 100 amps with a fuse box, in a two-story house and you’re thinking of upgrading to circuit breakers, replace it with a 200-amp panel. Don’t argue about it or debate its need, just do it. The last house we owned was a 1924, three-bedroom, one-story bungalow on a street of one-story bungalows. You could easily maintain that it only needed a 125-amp service, but a funny thing happened as Seattle real-estate prices headed toward the stratosphere: These one-story homes started becoming two stories. Owners decided it was more cost-effective to stay put and add on rather than to move. Five of our former neighbors on one block did this very remodeling to their homes. My point is that you cannot predict future needs. Given the relatively small cost difference between a 125-amp service and a 200-amp panel, there’s no point in installing the smaller service in a two-story house. One exception to my 200-amp rule is the presence of gas appliances. Our first house, for example, was adequately serviced by a 125-amp panel because we had a gas furnace, water heater, stove, and clothes dryer. As a result, the biggest single electrical loads in the house were the refrigerator and the washing machine, neither of which were huge draws on the system.
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Perhaps I misunderstand? And you are not suggesting doing what it sounds like your suggesting?
The only time you can safely upgrade from a 125 amp or 100 etc. to 200amp service - is when the wiring from the pole - is rated for 200 amps. This usually means paying the City or your service provider to upgrade the meter and the lines coming into the house...
If you don't upgrade your service, and just install a 200 amp panel - you create the gross misconception of increased capacity, and can end up having a fire, deaths, etc. Not good.
Having your service upgraded (the wires coming into the home) is not inexpensive. But it can be worth it. But don't just 'upgrade' your panel to a larger capacity, unless you actually have that capacity. Are your children's lives, or the lives of a person you sell the house to - worth that little to you??
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