What Can 200 Amps Power? The Big Picture
2. Estimating Electrical Needs
Okay, so we know 200 amps is a good amount of power. But what does that actually translate to in terms of what you can run in your home? The answer, of course, is “it depends.” It depends on the size of your home, the appliances you have, and how often you use them. A small apartment with energy-efficient appliances will have very different power needs than a large house with an electric vehicle charger and a hot tub.
Generally speaking, a 200 amp service is sufficient for most average-sized homes (around 1500-3000 square feet) with standard appliances. This typically includes things like your refrigerator, oven, microwave, washing machine, dryer, lights, TVs, computers, and smaller appliances. However, if you start adding energy-intensive devices like electric car chargers, central air conditioning, or electric furnaces, you might start pushing the limits.
To get a more accurate idea of your power consumption, you can look at the labels on your appliances. They’ll usually list the wattage (or amperage and voltage, from which you can calculate wattage). Add up the wattage of everything you typically run simultaneously. If that number gets close to 24,000 watts (200 amps x 120 volts), you might need to be more mindful of your electrical usage or consider upgrading your service.
Think of it like planning a party. You need to estimate how many guests are coming and how much food and drinks you’ll need. Similarly, you need to estimate your electrical needs to ensure you have enough power to keep everything running smoothly. You don’t want your lights to dim every time the air conditioner kicks on, or worse, trip a breaker in the middle of your favourite show.