Why McLean often needs 400A, not 200A
Most NoVA panel upgrades land at 200 amps because that's sufficient for a typical 2,500–3,500 sqft home with central AC, an electric range, a dryer, a microwave, and one EV charger. McLean homes frequently exceed that load envelope. The NEC 220 load calculation we run for McLean colonials regularly shows:
- Multi-zone HVAC. Larger McLean homes have 2–3 separate HVAC zones, each drawing 30–40 amps at peak.
- Multiple EV chargers. Two-Tesla households now common; emerging three-EV households need 80–100 amps of dedicated charging capacity.
- Resistance backup heat. Heat pumps with electric resistance backup draw 60+ amps when running.
- Whole-house standby generator. Generac 22kW or larger generator panels and ATS units need additional service capacity.
- Heated pool and outdoor kitchen. Common in McLean; pool equipment alone often draws 30+ amps.
When the calc total exceeds 200 amps after demand factoring, we recommend 400-amp service. The cost premium ($3,000–$5,000 over 200A) is significantly less than upgrading again in 5–7 years when you add another EV.
What it costs in McLean
Cost ranges for McLean panel upgrades:
- •200-amp standard upgrade. $6,000–$7,500. Most McLean homes built 1980+, no service-entrance changes.
- •400-amp service upgrade. $9,500–$13,500. Larger McLean homes with multi-EV, generator, or pool load.
- •Full service replacement (60A → 200A). $7,500–$9,500. Older McLean homes (Langley, Chesterbrook 1930s–50s) needing new service mast + meter base + panel.
- •Sub-panel addition. $2,000–$3,500. If main panel has capacity but you need outlets/circuits in a new wing, finished basement, or garage.
All prices include Fairfax County permit, the 2020 NEC fireman's disconnect, whole-home surge protection, Dominion Energy coordination, and inspection.
Fairfax County permits + Dominion coordination
McLean is in Fairfax County. We pull the electrical permit through Fairfax County DPWES under our master electrician license. For overhead-service homes (most of older McLean — Langley, Chesterbrook, Pimmit Hills), we coordinate the Dominion Energy meter disconnect/reconnect. For 400A upgrades, Dominion sometimes needs to verify the upgraded service drop sizing as well; this adds 1–3 days to scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
What does a panel upgrade cost in McLean?
A code-compliant 200-amp upgrade in McLean runs $6,000 to $7,500. McLean's larger lots and higher-end construction often mean longer service runs and more sophisticated electrical loads (multi-zone HVAC, home theaters, indoor pools, multiple EV chargers, backup generators), all of which can push toward a 400-amp service upgrade — which runs $9,500 to $13,500 for the larger panel and heavier feeder cables.
Should I upgrade to 400-amp instead of 200-amp in McLean?
Often yes, for McLean specifically. The load calculations on 4,000+ sqft McLean colonials with heated pools, multiple EV chargers (two-car households increasingly the norm), full-house standby generators, and resistance backup heat frequently exceed what a 200A service can comfortably handle. We run the NEC 220 load calculation as part of every estimate; if 200A doesn't cover your actual usage, we recommend 400A. The cost premium ($3,000-$5,000 over 200A) is much cheaper than upgrading again in 5 years.
What about historic homes in McLean's older areas?
Some areas of McLean have homes built in the 1930s–50s (Langley Forest, parts of Chesterbrook, El Nido) where the original electrical service was 60A. These usually need a full service replacement — new service mast, new feeder conductors, new meter base, new panel. Cost ranges $7,500 to $9,500 for the full service replacement plus the panel itself. Worth getting an in-home assessment.
Will Dominion Energy need to disconnect my service?
Most McLean homes have overhead service (the older sections especially — Langley, Chesterbrook, Pimmit Hills, McLean Hamlet). Dominion coordinates the meter disconnect/reconnect, typically adding 1–2 days to the timeline. Newer construction near Tysons and along Old Dominion Drive sometimes has underground service that doesn't need Dominion involvement.
Can you handle multiple EV chargers in a McLean home?
Yes — and this is increasingly common in McLean. Two- and three-car households running multiple Tesla, Rivian, or BMW EVs at home benefit from a smart-loaded charging setup (where the chargers coordinate to share total available capacity). We design and install this as part of the panel upgrade. Most McLean households with three+ EVs end up at 400A service to support simultaneous charging.
What's the permitting timeline in McLean?
McLean is in Fairfax County, so panel upgrades go through Fairfax County DPWES permitting. Permits typically issue in 3–5 business days. The overall project timeline including Dominion coordination is usually 1–3 weeks for 200A upgrades; 2–4 weeks for 400A service replacements.
Why AJ Long for McLean panel upgrades
We've been the panel-upgrade specialist for McLean since 1996. Master electricians on the team have done multi-EV-charger and 400A service installations for hundreds of McLean colonials over the years. We carry full insurance and provide a 5-year warranty on all electrical installation work.
Call (703) 997-0026 or schedule online for an in-home assessment.
Adding a second or third EV? Building a generator system?
The capacity planning needs to happen before the install. We run the NEC 220 load calc and recommend 200A or 400A based on your actual usage profile.