Bigger panel or upgrade service?

Oceanblues · Apr 14, 2020

Hey guys,

I just purchased a home that was built in 1960. It has a 100 amp service coming Into the house with only 12 breakers in the panel. A buddy of mine who is familiar with electrical keeps hounding me to upgrade the service to 200 amps. I don’t think I really need 200 amps. I was wondering if i should just put a new panel in with more space or do i need to upgrade the service.
The house is only 1700 square feet, 2 bedrooms, with a gas stove, gas boiler, gas water heater and a gas dryer . It has 2 ductless ac units, where I would also like to add a 24000 btu unit to the first floor. Should I just put a new panel in or do I really need 200amp services right now?

Oceanblues · Apr 14, 2020

Any one have any ideas?

Megawatt · Apr 15, 2020

Oceanblues said:
Hey guys,

I just purchased a home that was built in 1960. It has a 100 amp service coming Into the house with only 12 breakers in the panel. A buddy of mine who is familiar with electrical keeps hounding me to upgrade the service to 200 amps. I don’t think I really need 200 amps. I was wondering if i should just put a new panel in with more space or do i need to upgrade the service.
The house is only 1700 square feet, 2 bedrooms, with a gas stove, gas boiler, gas water heater and a gas dryer . It has 2 ductless ac units, where I would also like to add a 24000 btu unit to the first floor. Should I just put a new panel in or do I really need 200amp services right now?

It’s always a good idea, if you upgrade to a 40 circuit 200 amp panel. Reason is if you have or buy something that needs wiring you will have a lot of extra space for more electrical you might want to add in the future. You are fine with what you have now but if it was me I would upgrade. Good luck my friend

Oceanblues · Apr 15, 2020

Megawatt said:
It’s always a good idea, if you upgrade to a 40 circuit 200 amp panel. Reason is if you have or buy something that needs wiring you will have a lot of extra space for more electrical you might want to add in the future. You are fine with what you have now but if it was me I would upgrade. Good luck my friend

Thank you for your help