Your electrical service is the pipeline delivering power to your entire home. Just like a water main can only supply so much water, your electrical service limits how much power you can use simultaneously. Understanding whether 100 amps is sufficient or if you need 200 amps can save you from overloaded circuits, tripping breakers, and missed opportunities to modernize your Northern Virginia home.
Key Takeaways
- 100-amp service provides roughly 24,000 watts of capacity; 200-amp provides 48,000 watts, which is double the capacity for modern electrical demands.
- Signs you need an upgrade include frequently tripping breakers, dimming lights when AC kicks on, and no available panel spaces for new circuits.
- Adding an EV charger, heat pump, or whole-home generator to a 100-amp service almost always requires upgrading to 200 amps.
- Expect to invest $2,500-$8,000 for a service upgrade in Northern Virginia, depending on scope and whether underground service is involved.
- Load management devices offer a middle-ground solution for homeowners who need specific capacity (like EV charging) without a full upgrade.
What Do Amps Mean for Your Home?
Amperage measures the capacity of your electrical service, essentially how much current can flow into your home at once. Think of it like a highway: more lanes mean more traffic capacity.
Need a Panel Upgrade?
Outdated or overloaded electrical panels are a safety risk. Our team specializes in 200-amp upgrades throughout Northern Virginia, with same-day panel assessments available. Call (703) 997-0026 to get started.
- 100-amp service: Typical for homes built between 1950-1990. Provides approximately 24,000 watts of capacity.
- 200-amp service: Standard for modern homes. Provides approximately 48,000 watts of capacity.
- 400-amp service: Large homes, home businesses, or homes with exceptional electrical demands.
Many homes across the older neighborhoods of Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, and Fairfax City still have original 100-amp panels. While these were adequate when installed, today's electrical demands have grown significantly.
100 Amp vs 200 Amp: The Comparison
| Factor | 100 Amp | 200 Amp |
|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | ~24,000 watts | ~48,000 watts |
| EV charging | Limited (may need load management) | Full Level 2 capable |
| All-electric home | Challenging | Comfortable |
| Future expansion | Limited | Ample room |
| Generator compatibility | Limited backup options | Full whole-home backup |
| Home resale impact | May deter buyers | Standard expectation |
| Panel circuit spaces | Typically 20-30 | Typically 40+ |
| Typical home era | 1950-1990 | 1990-present |
| Upgrade cost (NoVA) | N/A (existing) | $2,500-$8,000 |
Signs You Need to Upgrade
Immediate Warning Signs
- Frequently tripping breakers: If main breaker or multiple circuits trip regularly, you are exceeding capacity.
- Dimming lights: Lights dim when air conditioning or other major loads kick on.
- Limited circuit availability: No more spaces in panel for new circuits.
- Using extension cords extensively: Not enough outlets suggests inadequate circuit coverage.
- Burning smell or warm panel: Dangerous. Call an electrician immediately.
Lifestyle-Based Indicators
- Planning to buy an electric vehicle
- Adding a home addition or finishing a basement
- Converting to electric heating, cooking, or water heating
- Installing a hot tub or pool
- Adding central air conditioning
- Installing a whole-home generator
DMV Region Trend: With the push toward electrification in Virginia and rising EV adoption across Fairfax and Loudoun counties, we are seeing a surge in 200-amp upgrade requests. Many homeowners combine the panel upgrade with EV charger installation to save on permitting and labor costs by handling both projects at once.
Calculating Your Electrical Needs
Here is a sample load calculation showing why modern homes outgrow 100-amp service:
| Load | Watts |
|---|---|
| General lighting and outlets (3,000 sq ft) | 4,500W |
| Electric range | 8,000W |
| Electric dryer | 5,000W |
| Electric water heater | 4,500W |
| Central A/C (3-ton) | 4,000W |
| EV Charger (Level 2) | 7,600W |
| Dishwasher | 1,500W |
| Microwave | 1,500W |
| Total | 36,600W |
At 240V, 36,600 watts requires about 153 amps, well beyond 100-amp capacity. Even with demand factors (not everything runs simultaneously), this home needs 200-amp service.
What Is Involved in a Service Upgrade?
Upgrading from 100 to 200-amp service is a significant project involving several components:
Utility Company Coordination
Your utility (typically Dominion Energy in Northern Virginia) must upgrade their connection to your home. This may include a larger meter base, upgraded service drop or lateral, and possible transformer upgrade.
Electrician's Work
- New electrical panel: 200-amp panel with 40+ circuit spaces
- Service entrance cable: Larger gauge conductors (2/0 or 4/0)
- Grounding system: Updated to meet current code
- Permits and inspections: Required by all Northern Virginia jurisdictions
Service Upgrade Costs in Northern Virginia
- Basic 100A to 200A upgrade: $2,500-$4,500
- With meter relocation: $3,500-$6,000
- With underground service: $5,000-$8,000
- Including subpanel addition: Add $1,000-$2,000
Pro Tip: If your home has an obsolete panel brand like Federal Pacific or Zinsco, upgrading to 200-amp service is especially urgent. These panels have documented safety issues with breakers that fail to trip during overloads. We encounter these regularly in homes built during the 1970s and 1980s across Fairfax County and Prince William County.
Load Management: A Middle Ground
If you need more capacity for specific purposes like EV charging but do not want a full service upgrade, load management devices offer a solution. These smart systems monitor total electrical usage and temporarily pause non-essential loads when capacity is reached. For example, a load management system can pause your water heater while your EV charges, then resume when the car is done. This maximizes your existing 100-amp capacity without the cost of a full upgrade.
The Bottom Line
For modern lifestyles, especially with electric vehicles, smart homes, and the trend toward electrification, 200-amp service is becoming essential rather than optional. If you are planning any significant electrical additions or experiencing capacity limitations, upgrading now is often more cost-effective than paying for the upgrade plus the additional installation separately later.
Not sure if you need a service upgrade? AJ Long Electric offers free electrical capacity assessments throughout Northern Virginia. We calculate your current and anticipated loads, inspect your existing service, and provide honest recommendations. Contact us to schedule your assessment.
