Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am looking at a year's worth of data on electric usage (every hour). The data goes from a low of 580 Watts to highest data points 9,390W and 10,310W. I illustrated the data graphically. The median data is 2250 Watts.
My question is would 100 Amp service have been sufficient to serve this home, or is there a possible spike in data that is less than an hour that would have tripped the fuses?
It seems that 200 Amp service is overkill unless you have electric heat. I understand that people are building in 300 or 400 Amp service today.
Why would you want less than 200 amp service? Just having 200 amp service doesn't cost you anything more. The cost differential between a 100 amp panel and 200 amp panel is insignificant.
Since this is the frugal living forum, it's most likely is an upgrade. They have 100 amp service and wondering if it makes financial sense pay an electrician to upgrade their current service from 100 amps to 200 amps. On a parts basis, yep it a non issue as the cost is negligible.
Since this is the frugal living forum, it's most likely is an upgrade. They have 100 amp service and wondering if it makes financial sense pay an electrician to upgrade their current service from 100 amps to 200 amps. On a parts basis, yep it a non issue as the cost is negligible.
Of course. I realize that starting from scratch everyone puts in a 200 Amp service, but this home was built in 1928.
The original refrigerator (which still runs) uses one of the toxic gases, ammonia (NH3), methyl chloride (CH3Cl), or sulfur dioxide (SO2), as refrigerants as Freon was not invented. But since freezers weren't invented yet, it doesn't use that much power.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rabrrita
What is the surge load?
I see all kinds of ways to estimate that for sizing backup generators, for one piece of equipment, but I don't know how high it has peaked in past data in a house where a dozen things are turning off and on. As far as I know, the only data you can get from your smart meter is average usage over a 1 hour period.
If you already have a newer 100 amp electric service and aren't going with electric heat or hot water or ductless AC, I don't think I would upgrade to 200 amps just to say you have it. I think that the trend these days is for modern appliances/electronics to use less and less electrical energy than in the past, so while we're filling up our homes with all kinds of electronics and appliances, they use much less energy.
You might cross post this in the House forum. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks there, and somebody (probably more than one somebody) can likely you help you out.
most change from 100 to 200 because they are adding circuits or the old panel is bad and the cost between a 100 to a 200 amp is negligible as far as parts and labor is the same. But unless there is a problem with your existing panel changing it to change it is pointless. You're not gaining a more efficient panel. You can however add circuits later if you need it where the old one would be overloaded
My question is would 100 Amp service have been sufficient to serve this home, or is there a possible spike in data that is less than an hour that would have tripped the fuses?
You can't tell from the information you provided. What is electric in the house that would be running at the same time? A/C? Heat pump? Dehumidifier? Range? Water heater? Clothes dryer? Heating element in the dishwasher? Fridge? Lighting? Real energy pigs like a hot tub? You have to add them all up. If you get anything close to 100 amps, you likely want to upgrade your service.
I have natural gas for my boiler, water heater, clothes dryer, and range. I have a 19 SEER mini-split AC to cool a small, well-insulated house. I'm fine with 100 amp service. I'd probably need to upgrade my service if I wanted an electric-heated hot tub/spa on the back deck.
Have you ever tripped your 100 amp breaker? Are you planning on adding any large power consuming devices any time soon? If not, 100 amp is probably good enough. Keep in mind that if you're having a problem with tripping the smaller breakers every once in a while, upgrading the panel won't help with that.
By the way, the cost difference isn't always negligible. If your main power feed and/or meter is only sized for 100 amps it could end up costing a lot of money to upgrade everything.
Cool refrigerator, by the way. That thing is awesome!
Most homes are OK with 100 amp service. Exceptions would be if you have electric heat, heavy power tool load, or the City or Village requires it by their codes.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
