Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    electricrobot's Avatar
    electricrobot Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Dec 3, 2008, 09:55 PM
    How many amps does my house need?
    I am doing a giant green make over to my house and am being told of different electrical requirements my house may need...

    The sweet house I scored but have been renovating since day one:

    3800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, TV room, dining room, office, sitting room, family room, pool, hot tub, 1 washer, 1 dryer, 1 refrigerator, 2 heating and 2 central air conditioning units, several computers, 1 server, 3 printers, a large amount of indoor lighting, speakers inside and out, light up planter boxes, gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, home automation system, etc etc

    And have used at max 4000 kwh per month as stated on my electric bill currently.

    Future upgrades:

    11 kw/h dc (9.876 ac) solar photovoltaic system, 1/2 acre landscape lighting, small pond with pump, thermal pool heater on roof with new pool pump, 2 new 16 seer heating and air units, 2 tankless water heaters.

    Also, sometimes we hook up dj equipment. And at times have blown breakers.

    I have a 200 amp breaker at the street. And 2 100 amp panels inside the house. The solar installer says I will need to upgrade my panels inside to 2 200 amp panels. I have gotten a few electricians estimates and a couple say I need to upgrade the panels on the street on top of the 2 200 inside panel upgrades and a couple electricians say I don't.

    I am way way way over budget on the greening of the house (and have many years of remodels ahead in the future) I'm contracting it out myself to save money and put more into the project and don't know which electrician to trust. Obviously it is way more expensive upgrading the street panel. I have no idea how much power at any given one time I may be using, especially after all the changes.

    Any advice on the street upgrade?

    Thank you
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Dec 3, 2008, 11:21 PM

    You might. See Midwest Electric Products, Inc. for some nice Service Entrance Meter Panels. I think you can feed one of them with a 400 A service and get two 200 A breaker out of it.

    If your solar system is going to be grid-tie then your all set.

    If you need backup power then you may have to dedicate a specific panel for backed up loads.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Dec 4, 2008, 03:32 AM
    If you want 400 amps in the house, using two 200 amp panels, the entire service entrance needs to be 400 amp at the street.

    You have an electrician that would connect the 200 amp service to the two 200 amp panels in the house? Run, do not walk, from him, or any one that states the same.

    You and/or the electrician you hire must consult with your local electric utility, as each utility has their own specific requirements for types of meter equipment allowed. The utility will usually have jurisdiction up to the metering, and then National Electric Code and local codes will take over from there to the home, regarding types and size of power cables from the meter to the panels.

    Amazing, is it this hard to find decent electrical contractors that know what to do? Your not the first to have problems getting electricians to be close to advice.

    Seems some electricians are only good at reading prepared plans and specs and build the job accordingly, while others have the knowledge and experience to design a job properly and then build it cost effectively. Look for a contractor that does "Desgn/Build" projects.

    "Contracting" yourself means you know exactly what is needed, how to size, specify materials, direct any sub-contractors etc. Sometimes you may find having a general contractor or at least a designer is worth the fee to get the job done properly.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #4

    Dec 4, 2008, 04:32 AM
    TK's advice is as sound as it gets.

    I will add, I was initially thinking you would be much better off going with a 320/400a service. This is a 400A service rated at 320a continuous. This lets the electrician use a 320a meter pan that can directly feed two 200a panels. This is a very common thing to do these days with all the mini mansions so popular these days. Yours sounds similar. 3800 sq/ft, pool, pond, spa, automation, etc,. is SOME house.

    Then I read about your TWO tankless water heaters. If they will be electric there is no way you'll get by with any less than a 320a service.
    Even without them, I'll bet a demand load calculation will be over 200a, making the 320a necessary.

    A service upgrade is just that, the whole service. You would need to upgrade everything from the street to the house. Some of this will be utility responsibility, that is up to them to determine.

    I would DEFINITELY start budgeting for it!

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Cost to upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps and ground [ 4 Answers ]

StanFortyMan has made a lot of sense about my needs in a home with a 100 AMP Service.. I would like to upgrade to 200 amps.. with some ground sockets(or whatever this is called) and put in more sockets... The house is 1300 square feet... does anyone have a guestimate of costs?? Thanks, Annie

100 household amps vs 200 amps [ 6 Answers ]

I am living in an "old" house with 100 amps coming in. I am in the process of doing reconstruction and would like to know if I run all new wires and outlets and get rid of dusty broken wires and connection boxes left open to rot---Can I use the same fuses and wiring for 100 as for 200 or do I...

How many amps? [ 1 Answers ]

What is the max rating of a service (electrical to a high rise building?)

Changing from 100 amps to 200 amps [ 1 Answers ]

I have a gas water heater (40 gallon tank). I want to change it to an electric tankless water heater. I have read that I need 200 amps in the house to do this, but currently I have only 100 amps. The outside meter is located only about 25 feet away, but the lines are underground. What is...

What amps to put on it [ 3 Answers ]

I finishing my attic into 2 rooms one a bedroom with closet and other half play area and closet. I was told to run 12 gauge for all outlets and 14 for all recessed light and switches. Now my issue is one room will have 9 outlets and 7 lights inc. the closet. The other has 6 outlets and 5 lights...


View more questions Search