Articles, Electrical Safety, Remodeling/Upgrades, Residential
Close-up of Prescott Valley electrician tightening a screw inside a home electrical panel

Every home is a little different, so how do you know what size electrical panel you need? Assurance Electrical Services points out what to look for when determining the electrical panel needs for your Prescott home.

Electrical panels for homes come in different sizes that include 100, 150, 200 and 400 amps. Every home is required by the National Electric Code to have a panel that is at least 100 amps. You can usually find that information inside of the breaker panel box. While a 100-amp panel is the minimum required, your home may actually need a larger panel.

All-Electric homes

If you have no gas service to your home, and all your appliances are electric, meaning your water heater, clothes dryer, stove, and heating system, you will need more than the required 100-amp panel. For an all-electric home, 150 to 200 amps minimum is recommended. Based on the size of your home, this size panel may not be sufficient.

Large homes

Is your home over 3,000 square feet? The size of your home impacts the electrical load your home pulls. A small area vs. a 5,000 square-foot home in terms of running heating or air conditioning units will definitely impact your electrical needs. If you plan to add on to your existing home, consider upgrading your electrical panel based on future electrical needs.

Breaker box switches

Are all the breaker panel slots in your breaker box filled? This could be another sign that you need a higher amp electrical panel. With home theater systems, the addition of spas, and outlets for electric cars or RVs, the need for larger electrical panels is obvious.

The safety of your home depends upon having adequate electrical panels that provide the electricity that you need. Assurance Electrical Services has licensed electricians with the experience and know-how to perform an inspection to calculate your home’s electrical load, and install the proper panels to keep your family safe. For a free estimate, call Assurance Electrical Services today at 928-713-2177.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common electrical panel sizes include 100-amp, 150-amp, 200-amp, and 400-amp panels, depending on a home’s electrical demands.

Your panel size depends on home size, appliance usage, HVAC systems, electric vehicles, and future power needs.

A 100-amp panel may work for smaller homes with minimal electrical demands, but larger homes often require 150 or 200 amps.

You may need an upgrade if breakers trip often, lights flicker, you add major appliances, or your panel cannot meet modern power needs.

A 200-amp panel is the most common choice for modern homes because it supports higher energy usage and future upgrades.

No, electrical panel upgrades should only be done by a licensed electrician due to safety risks and code requirements.

Costs vary depending on panel size, labor, permits, and electrical system requirements, but upgrades can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

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