When embarking on a significant home renovation or new construction project, selecting the appropriate electrical service amperage is a critical decision. In our last blog, we delved into the world of 100A and 200A service and upgrades. Here we compare 200A and 400A service options, considering how builders and contractors can avoid service upgrades and futureproof the homes they build and work on as load demand and the need for better energy efficiency increase.
Is a 400A electric panel necessary?
The traditional line of thinking suggests that the greater the number of electrical loads a home has, the higher the home’s amp service needs to be.
A 400A service will undoubtedly deliver greater capacity, comfortably accommodating large loads like heat pumps and multiple EV chargers. For luxury homes, 400A service offers developers and owners the flexibility to add additional loads without risking overload. This is ideal for those who want to avoid load restrictions.
However, this may not be the right choice for every home.
Most homes in the US are equipped with either 100A or 200A electrical service, with 200A being the standard for the majority of homes built in the last 30 years. Indeed, 200A remains the standard for new homes built today, as it meets modern electrical demands. The installation of a 400A electrical panel requires a service upgrade, which involves installing larger wiring to supply power to the property.
This is incredibly expensive, with estimates suggesting that the average cost of an upgrade for a home is $6,700 according to home improvements specialist This Old House.
For housebuilders working on major new housing developments, the idea of building homes with 400A electrical panels may seem the logical choice. After all, the home of today has to contend with a broad and diverse mix of loads, so it makes sense ensure it’s up to the rigors of modern living, doesn’t it?
But for a builder working on a development of hundreds of homes, investing in 400A service to the entire development comes at a significant cost with limited ROI. And with the increased cost of homes and construction combined with high interest rates, it’s important not to add potentially unnecessary costs.
It can also be a time-consuming process. For instance, the utility may have a long queue of requests in front of you, or it may require that the utility put in a new transformer, which can add cost and time. And in some cases, it may not even be possible due to safety or other regulatory reasons.
Making the most of 200A
It is reassuring to know that many homes may accommodate their electrical needs with 200A service and a smart home energy management system (HEMS), which ultimately creates the ability for service upgrade avoidance – a cost-effective solution for homeowners and builders alike.
So what are some of the primary benefits of HEMS?
It is a proven fact that HEMS can significantly reduce costs and eliminate the need for upgrading to a 400A electrical panel. Serving as the brain of a smart panel, a HEMS enables intelligent load control, allowing non-coincident loads to surpass the traditional 80/20 rule of panel capacity.
Typically, an electric panel does not utilize its full capacity for extended periods. It often peaks only momentarily when heavy loads are activated. This results in much of the panel’s potential remaining untapped. With a HEMS-equipped smart panel, loads can be automatically shed, shifted, or throttled, ensuring that simultaneous loads do not exceed the panel’s capacity.
For example, electric vehicle (EV) chargers draw a substantial load and usually operate for extended periods to recharge batteries. While this poses no issues under light load conditions, challenges arise on hot days when a homeowner also wants to run their air conditioning and pool pump. In such cases, a HEMS can intelligently shift the charging schedule to later when other loads are reduced or throttle the charging rate to decrease electricity consumption. Additionally, HEMS can prioritize essential appliances during specific times and ensure that critical devices remain operational without interruption.
In essence, HEMS maximizes the usable amperage of a home while mitigating the risk of overloading the panel.
Optimizing electrical loads for customers
As we all adopt more and more technology in our lives, we use more energy. And that demand is only going to grow. Builders and electrical contractors can help make this easier, by choosing panels with advanced energy management technology such as the Schneider Pulse and QO panels.
With demand for housing continuing to grow, it should be reassuring for builders and contractors that there are cost-effective, alternative solutions to service upgrades available. By embracing HEMS, contractors can ensure homeowners have all their energy needs met – without the need to break the bank.
To learn more about Schneider Electric’s range of smart electrical panels and more about simplifying home electrification, visit our connected home page.
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