Plenty of Tucson homes were built when 100 amps of service was more than enough. Then came central air, electric ranges, bigger appliances, hot tubs, shops and now EV chargers. If your home still has 100 amp service, here is how to think about whether it needs an upgrade.
What the amp rating means
Your service rating is the total amount of power your home can safely draw at once. Everything you run shares that capacity. When demand gets close to the limit, breakers trip, lights dim, and adding anything new becomes a problem.
Signs 100 amps is not enough
- Breakers trip often, especially in summer
- Lights dim when the AC or a large appliance starts
- Your panel is full and there is no room for new circuits
- You are planning an EV charger, solar, an addition or a shop
Why 200 amps is the common choice
A 200 amp service gives most homes room for central air, electric cooking, an EV charger and future projects. That does not mean every home needs it. A proper load calculation looks at what you actually run and what you plan to add, and tells you what size makes sense.
What an upgrade involves
An upgrade usually means a new panel and often a new meter base and service conductors. It requires a permit, and the utility (Tucson Electric Power or TRICO, depending on where you live) has to disconnect and reconnect service. Most upgrades are finished in a day, with the power off for part of it.
Want to know where your home stands? See our panel and service upgrades page, or call or text Aaron at 520-222-7993.