Why people are paying for a ‘required’ home upgrade they may not even need

How panel capacity is assessed

A long-standing industry practice estimates a home’s electrical needs by adding the maximum power use listed on each appliance. The Washington Post describes another method that looks at the hour when the home used the most electricity.

Under that approach, a building inspector checks whether the panel can handle 125 percent of the home’s peak use. Jenny Low, from POWER, told the Post that peak demand often does not raise much concern.

Many panels may have room

A report published in ScienceDirect in May found that 98 percent of homes with 100-amp electrical panels — typically the smallest size — have capacity to power additional appliances. Low said homeowners considering new appliances should put their money toward those appliances rather than a panel change that is not needed.

When an upgrade may be advised

Some contractors tell homeowners that an electrical panel upgrade is required as they switch to greener home equipment. The article says the work can cost thousands of dollars, but gives no specific price range.

Hyman told the Post that a home with central air conditioning and an electric dryer is overloaded. The article presents this view alongside the report and experts who say many panels have room for more appliances.