Do I Need To Upgrade My Electrical Service From 100A To 200A?
Do I need to upgrade my electrical service from 100A to 200A? This is a question that gets asked a lot by homeowners, however there are a lot of factors that go into the answer of this question. Most of the time service upgrades need to happen because of one of these factors :
The homeowner is looking to remove old outdated electrical connection equipment (e.g., fuse panels , small breaker boxes with no space left, panels that are not manufactured anymore).
The homeowner is looking to add a new high electrical demand equipment (e.g., hot tub, sauna EV charger).
The homeowner is adding a new building on the property that they would like to have extra power in (e.g. garages, large sheds or out buildings).
Let’s go through this list. Do these actually require a service upgrade?
Outdated electrical equipment
Yes, we usually recommend to complete a full service upgrade to keep your electrical service up to code.
Addition of a high electrical demand equipment
Yes, we usually recommend to complete a full service upgrade if the install includes a hot tub, sauna or electric heat. These require continuous high electrical demand and a 100A service will not be able to keep up.
For electric vehicle chargers, it is recommended to upgrade your service, however not necessary. It is best to contact your local electrician to assess your home’s needs.
Addition of a new building on the property
This really depends on what the building is being used for. If the building is just used for storing materials or as car storage, you do not need a service upgrade. But if the building is used as a welding shop or machine repair shop, for examples, then upgrading your service to future proof your out building may be beneficial.
It is always a good idea to check with a qualified red seal electrician if you’re looking to install any of the listed equipment above. They can go over your power requirements and see if a service upgrade is right for you! If you want more info reach out to GW Electric Inc. and one of our Winnipeg electricians can answer all your questions!