cost of electrical upgrade?
We are buying a 3 floor, 2 family brick/brownstone in South Slope. It currently has 70 amps and we were told by the inspector that we should upgrade to 100 amps. Reading some posts here, I am wondering whether that is really enough – would it be better to go to 200? In addition to…
We are buying a 3 floor, 2 family brick/brownstone in South Slope. It currently has 70 amps and we were told by the inspector that we should upgrade to 100 amps. Reading some posts here, I am wondering whether that is really enough – would it be better to go to 200?
In addition to the normal lights and such, we’d be running: 4 TV’s, 5-6 a/c’s (up to 4 at once), 2 kitchens, 3 computers, 1 washer and 1 dryer
How much would an upgrade to 100 amps cost? How much for more than that?
Thanks so much!
I moved into a 4 story 3 family in 2001 that has 60 amp service. I was told to go to 200, but I did nothing, because another electrician said see what happens. We have WD, dishwasher, 2 computers, 3 TVs, 4 window AC units, blah blah, and the only thing that has ever tripped a breaker in 6 years — ever — is a hairdryer. When we do upgrade, we will go all the way to 200. But you don’t necessarily need to do anything.
just upgrading the service is not a good idea
without doing more of a full electrical upgrade,
like running new circuits to the correct
outlets. A job like that could be expensive,
since it may result in plaster needing to be
repaired after the electrical lines are run, and
is usually part of a bigger renovation.
Anyway, consult a licenced electrician, but
probably your best bet is to do nothing for now.
I would go for 100 amps. You will most likely be fine right now with 100 amps but who knows what your demands will be like in the future.
Air conditioners may make it obvious what your needs are.
Air conditioners may make it obvious what your needs are.
While Berto is right that you could hold off and do more important things first. But when you do upgrade the electric you really want to do it right so it won’t have to be upgraded again for a long time and I’d definatly do more then just 100amps. Also more so then just upgrading amps you want to make sure your heavy electrical stuff is split up over different circurit breakers to evenly distibute. I used to have an old Victorian house in Boston and while it had 100amps because it wasn’t split up right some breakers would overload while others were under used.
SteveOMS
The text below is from an inspection of a 3 floor + cellar 2 family. Why go to the expense? Try using it as is, if you keep tripping the circuit breakers, upgrade.
I’m all for living in a place first and seeing what the real priorities are … you might find that you need that cash for something more important/urgent. Hold off for now.
ELECTRIC SERVICE AND MAIN PANELS: These three 3-wire, 220 volt, 60
amp, underground services are sufficient for the existing electrical requirements of
this house.
We bought a house (four stories, two-family) with 30-amp service 9 years ago and were advised by two electricians to upgrade to 200 amp service, which we did. We were also told at the time that this was the standard given more modern kitchens with more appliances, more electronics, etc.
I upgraded my single family house to 100 amps when I bought it many years ago. While that’s been perfectly fine, you have a two family and a somewhat heavier anticipated electric usage. !00 amps might be OK, but 200 couldn’t hurt–I’d opt for the higher number.