100-Amp vs. 200-Amp Panel: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Deciding whether to install a 100-amp versus 200-amp panel for your home’s electrical power needs is a major decision. The 200-amp service has more options for delivering extra power than the 100-amp service. But which one is right for you, and when should you hire a professional electrician? We’ll help you figure it out.

What’s the Difference Between 100-Amp and 200-Amp Panels?

When it comes to 100-amp versus 200-amp panels, there are a few important differences to consider. To start, 100-amp panels are smaller than 200-amp panels and have fewer circuits.

A great starting point is to determine your home’s total power usage, including major and minor appliances, which dictates the amount of amperage you need to power your home.

Since 200-amp panels are larger, they can fit more circuits with room to expand. Also, 200-amp panels are also slightly more expensive, costing an average of $100 to $200 more than a 100-amp panel.

When Should You Use a 100-Amp Panel?

Usually, you’ll find 100-amp panels in older homes that don’t use as much electricity as new builds. While many pros consider 100-amp panels to be outdated compared to more modern homes with a higher capacity, it doesn’t mean that they’re unsafe. It typically just means they can fit fewer circuits.

A 100-amp panel could still be a good fit for your home if you don’t have as many modern appliances, you heat your home with gas instead of electricity, or you use other gas appliances.

When Should You Use a 200-Amp Panel?

Most modern homes use 200-amp panels. The main difference between the two types of panels is that 200-amp panels have a higher capacity and can fit more circuits.

If you heat and cool your home using electricity, 200-amp panels are a good fit. They’re also a smart choice if you plan to expand your home in the future or if you frequently use appliances and tools that require a lot of electricity.

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What You Need Based on Your Electrical Use

Whether you need a 100-amp panel or 200-amp panel depends on the size of your home and your electrical use. In general, homes under 3,000 square feet can use a 100-amp panel as long as they don’t use air conditioning or electric heat. 

Homes over 3,000 square feet and homes that rely on electric heat and air conditioning will typically be better served by a 200-amp panel. This is because HVAC systems and modern appliances require a lot more power than older appliances or those that run on gas. 

Should You Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

While it’s not strictly necessary to upgrade your electrical panel if it meets your home’s electricity needs, there are several reasons why it might be a good idea. Homes continue to use more appliances that require electricity, so increasing the amperage can provide more opportunities for expansion and growth and can help to prevent power outages. The cost to upgrade an electrical panel from 100-amp to 200-amp service ranges from $740 to $2,000.

Here are a couple more reasons you might consider upgrading your electrical panel even if your electric needs are met by your current installation. 

Room for Growth

Even if a 100-amp electrical panel works well for your home at present, it may not be sufficient for your home’s needs in the future.

This could be the case if you add more appliances that require a lot of electricity, like if you convert your garage into a woodshop filled with power tools. If you add an addition to your house, you’ll likely need more power.

Prevent Power Outages

If you use more electricity than your electrical system can handle, you may cause a power outage. If you’re already close to your usage threshold with a 100-amp panel, upgrading to a 200-amp panel can help to ensure that you have enough electricity to power all of the appliances in your home without leaving you in the dark.

7 Signs You Should Upgrade Your Amp Panel

When you’re debating between a 100-amp versus 200-amp panel, no matter which one you’re leaning toward, there are some clear signs that you need to upgrade fast. Older homes may have a 60-amp fuse box. If so, you definitely want to upgrade your existing panel to a 100-amp or 200-amp panel with circuit breakers. 

Some people choose to upgrade from an existing 100-amp service to a 200-amp service, as well. Although it’s not the most wallet-friendly upgrade, deciding to get a panel with more amperage can help you avoid some of the following issues, from the minor annoyances to the major dangers.

1. Blowing Fuses

If you have a fuse box rather than an electrical panel with circuit breakers, you may want to upgrade. Typically, fuse boxes are safe to use, but they deliver less power, usually 60 amps, than an electrical panel with 100 or 200 amps. Additionally, when a fuse blows, it’s not reusable. Circuit breakers can trip dozens of times before they need replacement.

2. Excess Heat

An electrical panel that’s creating quite a bit of heat may have an overload issue. If you have a 100-amp panel, upgrading to a 200-amp panel may reduce the generation of heat.

3. Flickering Lights

When you notice your lights flickering or dimming each time a large appliance turns on, you may have too many items on one circuit breaker. You can fix the problem by adding more breakers and spreading the electrical load. However, if your current 100-amp panel has no free space for more breakers, you may need to upgrade to a 200-amp panel so that you have more space to expand.

4. Odd Smells

If a 100-amp or 200-amp panel generates melting plastic odors or a burning smell, this likely indicates a serious problem that could be a fire hazard. These smells can mean that you have arcing electricity. Simply put, arcing electricity is when there’s a gap in a circuit that the electricity can jump out of, and it’s very dangerous, as it can lead to shock and house fires. 

Visible scorch marks or melted insulation can point to arcing electricity, too. A panel upgrade from a qualified electrician can fix this serious issue.

5. Strange Sounds 

A breaker box sometimes makes odd noises, like pops or buzzes. Typically, a light buzzing sound is not dangerous. Should the electrical panel make popping or crackling sounds, though, you may have issues with electricity arcing. You’ll likely need an upgrade to fix this issue and reduce the fire danger from arcing.

6. Tripping Breakers

Are your breakers tripping constantly? An upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps should help. Your 100-amp panel may not be able to deliver the power you need for your home, causing breakers to trip. A 200-amp panel should solve your need for more power.

7. Multiple Subpanels

Rather than upgrading the entire amp panel, some homeowners in the past potentially chose to add subpanels that connect to the main panel. Although a subpanel is safe, it can create a mess of wiring that’s difficult to use. Moving from 100 amps to 200 amps can give you the ability to remove the subpanels and have a single panel with clean wiring.

Can I Replace an Electrical Panel Myself?

It’s not a good idea to replace an electrical panel yourself. Dealing with your home’s electrical systems requires skill and education that the average DIYer doesn’t have. If something goes wrong, you could end up with a house fire or dealing with electrical shock.

You should call a professional electrician near you if you’re thinking about upgrading your electrical panel. They can evaluate your home’s specific situation, walk you through your options, and safely and efficiently install a new electrical panel if needed.