Many Utah homes built before the 1990s have a 100 amp electrical service. That was plenty for a gas furnace, a gas water heater and a handful of appliances. Add central air, an electric vehicle, a hot tub or a finished basement and the numbers stop working.
Signs your panel is at its limit
- Breakers trip when several large appliances run together
- The panel has no open spaces, or circuits are doubled up
- Lights dim when the air conditioner or dryer starts
- You still have a fuse box, or a 60 amp service
- The panel is warm, rusted or from a brand with a known defect history
What a 200 amp upgrade includes
An electrical panel upgrade from 100 to 200 amps is more than a new box. It usually means a new meter base, larger service conductors, updated grounding and bonding, a new main panel and a utility disconnect and reconnect. The work is permitted and inspected.
What affects electrical panel upgrade cost
- Whether the service is overhead or underground
- The distance between the meter and the panel
- Whether the panel has to move to meet current clearance rules
- The number of circuits to transfer and any wiring that has to be corrected
- Local permit and utility requirements
Because those factors vary so much from house to house, an honest price needs a look at your service. We give written quotes after a short site visit.
Do you always need 200 amps?
No. A load calculation tells you. Some homes can add an EV charger on a 100 amp service with a load management device. Others need the upgrade before anything else is added. If you are planning a remodel or new electrical installations, decide on the panel first.
KITMUND upgrades panels across the state, including Sandy, Ogden, Orem and Logan. Call (888) 633-7804 to schedule a load calculation.