A generation ago, a 100-amp panel was plenty for most homes. Today's homes pull far more power, and adding a few modern loads can push an older panel to its limit.
What 200-amp service gives you
The amp rating describes how much electricity your home can use at one time. Moving from 100 to 200 amps gives you room for today's appliances and for the loads you're likely to add.
When an upgrade is worth considering
- You're adding a heat pump, an EV charger, or an ADU
- You're adding electric cooking, a hot tub, or a workshop
- Breakers trip when several large appliances run together
- Your home still has a 100-amp panel or an old fuse box
- The panel is full, and doubled-up breakers are being used to fit more circuits
- You're doing a major remodel or an addition
It starts with a load calculation
The right answer isn't a guess. A licensed electrician performs a load calculation that adds up what your home uses now and what you plan to add. Sometimes a 100-amp panel is enough with some smart planning. Sometimes 200 amps is clearly the right choice. The calculation tells you which.
What a proper upgrade includes
- A permit, and an inspection that's signed off by the city
- Coordination with your utility, which in most Eastside cities is Puget Sound Energy, for the service connection
- A new panel that is clean, labeled, and inspection-ready
- Whole-home surge protection
- Grounding and bonding brought up to current code
Plan ahead
If you're planning a heat pump or EV charger in the next few years, it's often smarter and cheaper to upgrade the panel first, or at the same time, than to do the work twice. A licensed electrician can look at your panel and tell you where you stand.
Want a professional opinion?
Call us any time, day or night, at (425) 615-5000, or book online. Written pricing before any work begins.
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