Modern Versus Older Home Electrical Demands

Modern homes need to be able to support an increasing number of new appliances, new and evolving electronic devices, as well as today’s electric vehicles (EV). Although most new appliances, electronics, and EVs are designed to be energy-saving, they still place increased demand for power on your residential service panel. 

Today, new homes typically have a 200-amp electrical panel. Some larger homes may have 400-amp panels, or even panels split between two or more 200-amp sub-panels. Smaller homes might still have 100-amp or 150-amp panels, although this can have a direct (and sometimes negative) impact on the home’s future sales prospects or buyer desirability. Home buyers now prefer, and commonly expect, a 200-amp electrical panel that can readily support their electrical power needs.

According to a 2024 study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), conducted on electrical service panel capacity in California, estimates of panel distributions reveal 200-amp panels are most common (39-47%), followed by 100-amp panels (32-33%), with smaller (<100-amp) and larger (201+amp) panels being less common. Their analysis indicated that smaller, older homes are more likely to have 100-amp or lower panels.

The increased power needs of modern consumers is certainly evident in the growing volume of requests we receive for 200-amp upgrades. To support today’s appliances, assorted electronic devices, an air conditioner, and an EV charger – which is fast becoming an “essential” for electric car commuters – a 200-amp service panel is certainly right for the job.

If you happen to own an older home, you likely have a 100-amp or 125-amp electrical service and panel similar to the image above. This lower amperage service is incapable of supporting today’s heavier reliance on electricity, and incapable of supporting a 200-amp panel. Consequently, if you own an older home, but you decide you want to add an air conditioner or an EV charger for your new electric car, then the service line will need to be upgraded by your utility provider to a 200-amp service. And to accommodate the increased electrical demands of your new A/C unit or EV charger, a contractor will need to install a 200-amp electrical panel.

Before the advent of modern building codes, older homes typically used fewer breakers to run the kitchen outlets and appliances. In fact, within an older home there may be only 3 or 4 circuits serving the entire kitchen’s electrical needs for all outlets and appliances. 

However, by today’s electrical code standards, a kitchen will require a minimum of 8 dedicated circuits. When you decide to renovate or remodel the kitchen in your older home, this typically means the need for greater service amperage, as well as a larger electrical panel with more breakers to support your new kitchen.

During any remodeling project, your general contractor will do electrical load calculations to determine what upgrades may be needed based on the remodel requirements. It is not unusual to find that you need a larger amperage service from your electrical provider. And this means a physically larger panel with more circuit breakers to accommodate your remodel demands.

With expanded modern electrical needs, service and panel upgrades are becoming ever more common. Additionally, more homes are moving away from natural gas. This is primarily because of its concerning contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and indoor air quality. In its place, there is a move towards the use of electrical appliances for hot water generation, as well as home heating and cooling. This means modern homes are clearly more electricity dependent.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, or GFCIs, were introduced to ensure greater safety in wet areas. A GFCI is designed to instantly cut off power during a ground fault. It does so by monitoring the electrical current going in and out of the circuit. When a difference is detected – meaning the current is “leaking” to ground – the GFCI is tripped and the power shut off. This action offers protection against electrocution and fire. 

Nuisance tripping – which typically equates to a GFCI that unnecessarily flips the power off – can occur in older homes wired according to older electrical code. Such homes can have wiring systems that fail to meet current safety standards. The result is the increased likelihood of electrical issues that can trip a GFCI. Additionally, like any device, GFCIs have a lifespan. Older GFCIs can be more prone to malfunction or failure, and this can lead to faulty tripping.

An older appliance can develop internal faults that lead to a small leakage of current. GFCIs can detect this leakage as a ground fault, leading to nuisance tripping. 

But then an older home can also have moisture issues. Such moisture issues can certainly contribute to nuisance tripping, as can an older home that has fewer or less powerful circuits. This can make them more prone to overload if too many appliances are plugged into a GFCI protected circuit.

However, what may appear to be nuisance tripping can actually be a properly operating GFCI where there is a wiring issue that actually needs to be addressed. We have come to discover previously undetected wiring issues in a home only after a client comes to us complaining of a frequently tripping GFCI. While they had initially assumed the GFCI was faulty, it actually proved to be a wiring problem that was correctly tripping the circuit. 

This nuisance tripping issue, sometimes referred to as sympathetic tripping, does need to be properly investigated to determine if it is, indeed, a false alarm, or if an actual electrical fault or overload is occuring. 

A GFCI is commonly found in places where water and electricity are close together, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and any outdoor areas. Because they reduce and prevent serious electrical shocks, GFCI outlets are mandated by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for use in areas that can become damp or wet. 

Bathrooms have required GFCIs since 1975, and they’ve been required in kitchens since 1987. Regular outlets, rather than GFCIs, are suitable for other areas of your home unlikely to be impacted by water or moisture, such as bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.

Identify and Test Your GFCI

GFCI’s are readily identifiable from other electrical outlets by the LED indicator light and the addition of two buttons labeled “Test” and “Reset.” These two buttons allow you to test the functionality of the ground fault circuit interrupt safety feature of the outlet. Although typically reliable, failures can occur and require replacement.

Should you wish to test your GFCI outlets, press the “Test” button. You should hear a single click sound and the LED indicator light should go off. This indicates that the GFCI is doing its job and all electricity to the outlet should have been cut off. Upon completion of the test, press the “Reset” button. In a fully functional GFCI, power will automatically be restored to the outlet, the LED indicator light will come on, and any device you plug into it should be powered up.

As a General Contractor, I use a GFCI outlet tester, as in the image above, to ensure that the GFCI is working. When I press the “Test” button, the power should go off and my outlet tester will confirm this. When I press the “Reset” button, the power should be restored, and my outlet tester will confirm this. 

Upgrade to Improve Safety – Avoid Overloads & Electrical Fires

As consumers embrace more electronics and appliances that draw more power, it is advised to upgrade your panel to avoid overloads and electrical fires. This is especially true if you’re considering a kitchen, bath, or whole house remodel for your older home!

Electrical panel upgrades are frequent requests, as well as absolute necessities, for many of our clients – not merely those purchasing electric vehicles, installing new heating and air systems, or placing new appliances in their kitchen. Despite the advent of energy-saving smart phones, smart watches, and smart appliances, today there are ever more and more users, both young and old, who are reliant upon their electronics. This has resulted in panel upgrades as a more and more frequent request, and absolute necessity, with every repair, remodel, renovation, or re-envisioning of Upgrading an electrical panel is not an inconsequential decision given it involves examining both current and future needs. In anticipation of a major remodel or upgraded kitchen and bath, many of our clients opt to replace their existing panel with one that offers a higher-capacity. The costs vary depending on your particular home and the evolving or anticipated needs of everyone who has plans to occupy that home. 

For multi-generational families, considerations of future children (infant and adult) living under one roof, and the desire to help support aging parents with an Accessory Dwelling Unit <link to ADU info web page: https://edneirconstruction.com/accessory-dwelling-unit-3/>, also known as an ADU, all play a factor in the decisions to be made.

An electrical panel upgrade helps to improve and ensure safety by enhancing effectiveness at preventing overloads and electrical fires, while accommodating more electrical appliances and devices. Wherever upgrades are impractical or unnecessary, installing a subpanel may be the right solution. Subpanels are smaller breaker boxes connected to your main panel and dedicated to specific circuits. Alternatively, a load management system – which can use automated load-shifting devices such as smart thermostats and appliances – can provide the means to optimize your electrical usage by prioritizing certain circuits.

Controlling High Electricity Usage = Better Cost Control

In Solano County, our high-heat summers lead numbers of households to run their air conditioners and pool pumps nearly nonstop. When a cold winter comes around, then household members are all about remaining warm and cozy, doing more indoor entertaining, and ensuring they have hot water needs met. In other words, the year-round demand for electricity never ends.

But how can you curb your electrical load and help keep costs down?

One solution to explore is a residential load controller that’s designed to help reduce peak demand and improve energy efficiency. Such a solution can keep costs down by helping to keep consumption in check. By capping your house’s electric use, a load controller prevents you from using more than your set amount. 

This comes with both advantages and disadvantages. It will help you save money on electricity, but it can be too rigid and restrictive, especially for our clients with irregular schedules or who work from home.

Yet another solution can be a smart home energy management system. It’s responsive to electrical loads as well as your household needs. 

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Using a smartphone app, you can easily set-up schedules and modes to automate and optimize your home’s electric use. At Ed Neir Construction, we help our client’s look at different ways to save money on electricity, manage residential loads, and achieve the best balance to meet their goals.

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on monthly electricity bills, and to enhance both the value and comfort of your home, then consider an energy-efficient HVAC system and appliances, energy-efficient windows, doors, and proper insulation as part of your home remodel and re-envisioning plans – all things I can help you with so you can consider your various options. Altogether, these things can help to ensure efficient home sealing, reduce electricity costs, deliver enhanced beauty and comfort, while increasing your home’s market value.

If this blog has piqued your interest in upgrading your electrical panel or in exploring any other home renovations that take advantage of energy-saving options, then give us a call at 707-999-5878 for a free estimate!

Ed Neir, General Contractor, License #: 928715