I am restoring a 100 year old home and installing central hvac. My electrician can get my units at a tremendous bargain, however, they are 480 volt. Unit alone savings would be 15,000. I have not yet installed the new panels in the house. Is it feasible and possible to put in a 480 volt panel?

I do not believe there is a utility company in the country that will deliver 480 volts to a residence, let alone 3 phase, which is the only method to get 480 volt from a utility, due to The National Electric Code 2002 Section 210.6 (A) Paraphrased... "Dwellings, voltage shall not exceed 120 volts for luminaries and cord connected equipment 1440 Va or less.... and shall not exceed 277 volts to ground for cord connected or permanently connected equipment."

The section may be the same or a different section number in the 2005 edition.

Sure you can use a transformer to step up 240 volts 1 phase to 480 volts, however, 480 volt equipment, such as panels, breakers, disconnect, are very costly.

So it is not possible legally, or practical if you chose to not follow the law.

What do you mean by "Unit alone savings would be 15,000."?

Is that a typo? Or is that $15,000.00? Must be a heck of a vacuum.

Any money you save will be spent plus more to create 480 volt for this purpose.

Thanks for your prompt reply. By HVAC, I meant heating and cooling... I need 20 tons for this 5,000+sq ft home. I can get commercial units, thus the 480v/3 ph, for this project for $5,000 ttl. I agree that the local utility will not step up for a residence, but this is being converted to a B&B. However, I feel that you are right that it may still be cost prohibative to use this system.

Oh OK sorry I did not see the HVAC... duh, I saw central and my mind went to "vacuum", don't ask me why... I always read too fast. Sometimes it is amazing I get anything right. The Evelyn Wood's Sped Reeding Course is showing through.

( I wonder if anyone remembers that)

A B&B may be different, this is a commercial occupancy. If 3 phase is in the area, you may actually be able to get 480V3P brought in. You would then need transformer(s) to get the 120 you need for the remaining wiring.

Being a commercial application , it may be worth asking the utility.