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Buying a home and understanding its Electric

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Real Estate RS151669

Buying a home can be overwhelming.  When you find a home, it is very important to get a home inspection done.  The home inspector will quite often find things that you missed or did not realize.  The home inspector will also go over the electric panel.  For your own education here are some guidelines.

You should understand some basics, especially with electric.  Older homes typically have 50-60 amp service, however many homeowners (I know in my area) have upgraded to at least 100 amps.  The size of the home will dictate how many amps you need.  Typically, if the home is over 3000 sq ft, it would be best to have 200 amp service.  It can also depend on the number of large electric appliances you have.

 

Keith Goodman
Keith Goodman - Merced, CA

Carol, thank you that is very good food for thought on the Electrivcal Systems in our homes. I think you will save a lot of consumer's money on this thought. Thanks, Keith

Aug 29, 2008 03:56 AM
Rick Maday
Schaumburg, IL
Schaumburg Home Inspector -

Hi Carol,

Thanks for pointing out the importance of a home inspection.  The amperage to the home is important, and you are spot on about upgrading to (at least) 100A. 

Think back to when many 60 amp homes were built: Not too much needed electricity. Refrigerator, some lamps / lights, maybe a wall AC unit and, if you were really lucky, that new thing called television.

These days we have computers, central AC, CD & DVD players, multiple TVs, video games, VCRs (ok, I still have one), TiVO, cable or satellite, cordless phones and chargers for everything from cell phones to video cameras. 

Aug 29, 2008 04:02 AM
Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

I want to say code in Florida is 200 amps for residential.  Older homes often need to be upgraded.  Otherwise they burn the studs off the meter if you pull too much current through.

Aug 29, 2008 04:26 AM