If your Los Angeles home was built decades ago, it may still run on 100-amp electrical service, or less. That was plenty when the house was new. Central air, a remodeled kitchen and a few more appliances later, it may not be anymore.
Here's how to tell whether your home has outgrown its service and what moving to 200 amps involves.
Blog reader offer: save $200 on your panel upgrade when you mention this article. Call (818) 245-5201 to book your free estimate.
What "100 amps" means
Your electrical service is the amount of power your home can draw from the utility at one time. It's set by the meter, the wires coming into the house and the main breaker in your panel. You'll find the number printed on the main breaker, the large breaker at the top of the panel.
When everything in the house together asks for more than the service can deliver, the main breaker trips or circuits run near their limit.
Signs your home has outgrown 100 amps
Breakers trip when large appliances run at the same time
Lights dim or flicker when the AC, dryer or microwave turns on
You're adding something big: central air or a heat pump, a kitchen remodel, an addition or an ADU, a pool or a spa
Your panel is full, with no open spaces for new circuits
You have an older panel, such as a fuse box or a Zinsco or Federal Pacific panel
Your insurer or a home inspector flagged it. If you've received an insurance or fire-zone letter, the upgrade is the fix they're asking for
If you notice a burning smell, a warm panel cover, buzzing or scorch marks, don't wait for an estimate. Call us right away at (818) 245-5201. We answer 24/7.
How we decide what you need
We don't guess. Every estimate starts with a load calculation: we look at the size of your home, the appliances you have and what you're planning to add, then size the service to fit. Sometimes a new panel is enough. Sometimes the meter and service entrance have to change too. The load calculation tells us which.
200 amps or 400 amps?
The load calculation tells us whether 200 amps covers your home. For larger homes and all-electric remodels, we upgrade to 400 amps. Either way, we size the service for how you'll use your home for the next 20 years, not just today.
What the upgrade involves
Free on-site estimate. We inspect your panel and service, run the load calculation and give you a written price before any work starts.
Permit and utility coordination. We pull the permit and schedule the shutoff and reconnection with LADWP or SCE.
Installation. Most upgrades are completed in one day. Your power is off for part of that day, and we'll tell you the window in advance.
City inspection. We schedule it and stay with it until it passes.
Documentation. You get the permit and inspection records for your files, your insurer or a future sale.
What does it cost?
New 200-amp panels from Homi Home Automation start at $2,500, including the permit and city inspection. Your exact price depends on the amperage, whether the meter or service entrance has to change, where the panel is located and how many circuits need updating. Here's more on what a panel upgrade costs.
Get a free written estimate
Homi Home Automation is a licensed C-10 electrical contractor (#1147130) based in Sherman Oaks, serving the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. We'll tell you whether your home needs a panel upgrade and give you a written price, at no charge.
Mention this article when you book and save $200 on your panel upgrade.
