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Pete C.

wrote:

This came out of another post I made, but is something I never really
considered. I currently have 100 amp service, with 7 blanks in my
electrical panel and will be adding 6 new circuits as I finish my
basement. Someone suggested upgrading to 200amp service. I don't
want to overload my existing capacity, but I figured I have a gas
water heater, gas clothes dryer, gas furnace, gas range, etc. The
only major electrical load I have is A/C in the summer (that I can
think of right now at least). Therefore, 200amp service had never
crossed my mind. Any suggestions/opinions? Also, if I did upgrade to
200 amp service, what is the cost and process? I assume that it
doesn't cost more to have 200amp service once you get it hooked up,
it's still the same rate per kWh, just that there's the potential to
use more, right? Thanks yet again!

It certainly doesn't sound like you have any need to upgrade to a 200A
service. An upgrade decision would be based on the addition of large
loads, or the need to replace the existing 100A panel if it were failing
(cost to replace nearly the same 100A or 200A, mostly labor).

A typical house only draws on the order of 10A (per leg) of the service
most of the time, and without multiple large electrical loads that may
be active at the same time there is no problem with 100A service. Based
on what you indicate, your likely peak loads would be around 50A (per
leg) if you had the A/C running, a lot of lights on and someone using a
hair dryer. If you had electric items such as a water heater, dryer,
range, etc. The potential peak loads would be vastly higher.

The only thing I'd consider, if the basement finishing will nearly fill
your existing main panel, would be to install a small sub panel for the
basement. A small sub panel would be inexpensive and the connection
would only take two spaces in the main panel so it would still allow for
future additions. Depending on the location of the main panel and
basement area being finished, it may also make for easier wire runs.