Key Points
- A 100-amp service handles smaller loads, while a 200-amp service handles much higher loads required for today’s modern appliances and devices.
- Homeowners should be aware of the signs they need to upgrade to a 200-amp service, including frequent breaker trips and flickering lights.
- Spencer Home Services Plumbing, HVAC, Drains, and Electrical provides professional, reliable electrical panel upgrades in Peabody, MA.
Settled in the 1600s, the city of Peabody, MA, is just a 25-minute drive from Boston and has many historic homes, some of which have 100-amp service. If you live in the area, it’s important to consider whether upgrading from 100- to 200-amp service is the right choice for your electrical system.
What’s the Difference Between 100-Amp and 200-Amp Service?
A 100-amp service is typically used for smaller homes and lighter electrical loads, while a 200-amp service has twice the capacity and is ideal for today’s households. Electrical panels with 100-amp service can handle basic needs, but those with 200-amp service provide double the capacity. The experienced team at Spencer Home Services Plumbing, HVAC, Drains, and Electrical offers a range of reliable services, including professional panel upgrades to enhance your home’s safety and functionality.
Signs Your Peabody, MA, Home Needs a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade
It’s important to recognize the signs that your Peabody home may require a 200-amp service upgrade. You might need an electrical panel upgrade if you’ve experienced the following:
- Your circuit breakers keep tripping: If they keep tripping, they’re drawing too much power and placing excess strain on your panel.
- Dimming or flickering lights: Lights that dim or flicker frequently are a common sign that you may need a 200-amp panel upgrade.
- Strange odors or noises: Unusual buzzing, crackling, or humming, or a strong smell of burning plastic, are serious signs of overheating or loose connections in your panel.
- Hot panels or outlets: If your panel or electrical outlets feel hot to the touch, it’s a serious sign that you need 200-amp service as soon as possible to prevent fire or electrical shock.
- You’re using extension cords: The constant need for power strips and extension cords indicates you don’t have enough outlets to meet your needs.
- Old panels: Electrical panels that are 25 years old or older, or panels that use fuses, should be upgraded as soon as possible for higher electrical service capacity.
When Should You Upgrade to a 200-Amp Electrical Panel?
If you’re wondering, do I need 200-amp service? Several scenarios require this important home electrical system upgrade:
Adding new appliances or remodeling
If you need to add new major appliances or install an EV charger, you should upgrade to a 200-amp service panel. When installing a new heat pump or a large electric furnace, you should also upgrade to 200-amp service. Homeowners who are adding a new room or preparing for a major home remodel should also consider scheduling an upgrade.
You need localized power
If you’re wondering whether to replace the main panel or add a subpanel, installing one is helpful for sheds or garages. A subpanel provides localized power to specific areas of your home. If you’re upgrading your electrical panel, adding a subpanel offers additional capacity for optimal performance.
Old panels or low-capacity panels
Electrical panels older than 1980 and panels with fuses or aluminum wiring require a panel and wiring upgrade. When your panel is old and uses outdated materials, it presents a serious safety hazard. It’s also a good time to upgrade if you’re out of available circuits to run more devices.
You’re planning for the future
Even if you don’t need to install a 200-amp panel right now, doing so helps you prepare for the future. An upgraded electrical panel replacement provides you with more load capacity to meet the needs of your modern household. If you’re planning to sell your home, it’s also a smart way to boost your property value by making sure that your circuit breaker panel meets NEC (National Electrical Code) standards.
Benefits of Upgrading to 200-Amp Service
Comparing a 100-amp panel vs. a 200-amp panel makes it easy to see why upgrading is so beneficial. Here are the perks of choosing a 200-amp service for your Peabody area home:
- More capacity: A 200-amp panel handles several high-draw appliances and devices all at the same time without posing a safety risk.
- Future-proofs your home: Upgrading to a 200-amp service prepares your home for any future tech and electrical needs.
- Safer: Replacing a 100-amp panel with a 200-amp panel reduces the risk of shorts, overheating, sparking, overloads, shock, and electrical fires.
- Boosts home value: When you upgrade to 200-amp service, you make your home more attractive to potential buyers who want a home that can handle modern electrical demands.
What Happens During a 200-Amp Service Upgrade?
Once you schedule a 200-amp service upgrade with a licensed electrician from Spencer Home Services, here’s what happens during the process.
- Step one: A residential electrician performs an electrical load calculation, coordinates permits and schedules a temporary power shutdown that typically lasts between four and eight hours for the final connection.
- Step two: The power to your home is shut off at the street, and the existing meter base is replaced with a 200-amp meter socket.
- Step three: New conduit, service entrance cable, and a thicker electrical wiring installation may be required.
- Step four: Your old breaker panel is removed, and the new 200-amp breaker panel is mounted.
- Step five: Existing branch-circuit wires are disconnected from the old panel and reconnected to the new panel. The grounding system may be updated or expanded.
- Step six: Once the service upgrade technician completes the work, they perform a thorough electrical inspection, and the utility company reconnects power to your new meter.
Cost Factors To Consider for a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade
The cost of a 200-amp panel upgrade averages $1,500 to $6,500 or more. Cost factors to consider include ease of access, permit costs, current labor and material costs, and whether you’re installing other items, such as AFCI and GFCI breakers. Home rewiring, EV charger installation, and generator hookups may also increase the upgrade cost.
Contact Spencer Home Services Today!
Spencer Home Services Plumbing, HVAC, Drains, and Electrical doesn’t aim to be the cheapest. We aim to be the best. Backed by decades of experience, expert technicians, and industry-leading warranties, we deliver high-quality, lasting solutions done right the first time. From Peabody and Salem to Beverly, Danvers, and Lynn, contact us today to schedule your 200-amp electrical panel upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to upgrade to 200-amp service?
While the time required to upgrade to 200-amp service varies, most jobs take 1–2 days to complete. Remember that your upgrade will also include a four- to eight-hour window of temporary power outage while the electrician makes the final connection.
Can I run central AC or heat pumps on a 100-amp panel?
In some cases, you can run central AC or heat pumps on a 100-amp panel, especially for smaller homes. However, we recommend scheduling a professional load calculation to confirm that the panel can accommodate additional major appliances simultaneously.
Does upgrading increase home value?
Yes, upgrading your electrical panel may increase your home’s value. Many home buyers are seeking properties with safe, code-compliant electrical systems capable of handling heavy electrical loads.
