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Which Electrical Panel Is Right for Your Home?

June 16, 2022

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The difference between 100 AMP and 200 AMP electrical panels is the amount of power they can handle.

 If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between 100 AMP and 200 AMP electrical panels, the answer is pretty simple. These different ratings refer to the amount of power an electrical panel can handle. They’re both perfectly safe, and which one is right for you depends on your electrical usage and the size of your home.

What Does AMP Stand For?

AMP refers to amps, or amperes, which are a unit of measurement for electrical currents. Amperage measures the volume of electricity flowing through a home. How many amps a home can handle depends on how old it is and what electrical panels you have installed.

What’s the Difference Between 100 AMP and 200 AMP?

100 AMP panels are smaller than 200 AMP panels. Because 200 AMP panels are larger, they can fit more circuits and have more room to expand. 200 AMP panels are also slightly more expensive than a 100 AMP panel but may save you money in the long run.

When Should You Use a 100 AMP Panel?

100 AMP panels are often used in older homes that don’t use as much electricity. While they’re sometimes considered outdated when compared to more modern homes with a higher capacity, that doesn’t mean they’re unsafe—it just means they can fit fewer circuits.

A 100 AMP panel could still be a good fit for your home if you don’t have as many modern appliances, if you heat your home with gas instead of electricity, if you use gas appliances, and if you don’t use central air or heating. If you have carried out electrical upgrades or added larger electrical appliances, it would be a good idea to get a free load calculation to ensure you are not at risk from an electrical fire.

When Should You Use a 200 AMP Panel?

The main difference between the two types of panels is that 200 AMP panels have a higher capacity and can fit more circuits. 200 AMP panels are a good fit if you heat and cool your home using electricity, or have major electrical appliances such as a hot tub, electrical vehicle chargers etc. They’re also a smart choice if you plan to expand your home in the future, or if you frequently use appliances and tools that require a lot of electricity.

How Much Electricity Does Your Home Need?

Whether you need a 100 AMP panel or 200 AMP panel depends on the size of your home and your electrical use. In general, homes under 2,000 square feet can use a 100 AMP panel as long as they don’t use air conditioning or electric heat. Homes over 2,000 square feet and homes that rely on electric heat and air conditioning will typically be better served by a 200 AMP panel. Unsure of your electrical needs then ask us about a free load calculation.

Should You Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

While it’s not strictly necessary to upgrade your electrical panel if your home’s electricity needs are currently met, there are several reasons why it might be a good idea. Homes continue to use more appliances that require electricity, so increasing the amperage can provide more opportunities for expansion and growth and can help to prevent power outages. Upgrading from 100 AMP to 200 AMP service can be as little as $700 a small investment for peace of mind and safety. Unsure of how close you are to your capacity, then reach out and take advantage of our free load capacity check

Room for Growth

Even if a 100 AMP electrical panel is good for your home at present, it may not be sufficient for your home’s needs in the future. Even if you have a 200 AMP electrical panel, if your home is over 2000 square feet and you use a heat pump, hot tub and have a level 2 EV charger you made need to upgrade above the 200 AMP electrical panel.

This could be the case if you add more appliances that require a lot of electricity, like if you convert your garage into a woodshop filled with power tools. If you add an addition to your house, you may also need more power.

Prevent Power Outages

If you use more electricity than your electrical system can handle, you may cause a power outage. If you’re already close to your usage threshold with a 100 AMP panel, upgrading to a 200 AMP panel can help to ensure that you have enough electricity to power all of the appliances in your home without leaving you in the dark.

Can I Replace an Electrical Panel Myself?

It’s not a good idea to replace an electrical panel yourself. Dealing with your home’s electrical system requires skill and education that the average homeowner just doesn’t have. Plus you need to deal with obtaining the correct permits.

You should call a professional electrician near you such as Walls Electrical if you’re thinking about upgrading your electrical panel. They can evaluate your home’s specific situation, walk you through your options, and safely and efficiently install a new electrical panel if needed.