"Gerry Atrick" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 5 Mar 2007 20:13:18 -0500, "Zephyr" Someguy@an email
address.com wrote:


"Charles Schuler" wrote in message
...

"Zephyr" an address @ some place .com wrote in message
. ..
Hey group,

I'm contemplating going to Geo Thermal heat,
I've talked to a couple different installers and they say that I need
400 amp service to do this.
this would be split into 2 200 amp boxes, one for the geo and
accessories, (which qualify for a lower rate) and 1 for the rest of
the
house.

currently I have 2 meters on the house 1st is a 150 amp service and
the
second is an interruptible service meter for my AC unit.
( I am in SE Michigan, use DTE energy)

If I need to go to 400 amp service is it as simple as having both
meters
replaced with larger 200 amp units?
or would new wire need to be pulled from the road? a quick call to
DTE
resulted in an

Do you have a 6,000 sq. ft. home?


Nope, but 50 for a compressor, 50 for aux heat
50 for hot water, on the geo side

then the other 200 for the rest of the house

it adds up quick

Dave


I'd hate to pay your electric bill......


Read the original post! The second breaker box and meter is to isolate the
heating from the rest of the electric load. It is not that uncommon (though
not widely publicized) that you get a discount for electric for heating
purposes. This LOWERS the electric bill. My b-i-l did this a few years ago
and he is saving gobs of money on heating!

YES, you need larger cable from the pole and all the way to the
breaker box(s). Possibly a new transformer on the pole. Possibly new
meter sockets, and definately new breaker boxes (or at least for the
mains).

Are you sure you really need that much power? I live on a farm, and
my whole farm has 400A service. There are two 200A mains. I dont
even use one of those mains. Of course the former owners had some
electric grain bin dryers and those things are big power users. I run
the whole farm on 200A with plenty to spare.


Maybe you should look into electic heat since you already have 2 boxes set
up. You could save a bundle on yoru heating bills!