Many Georgia homes were built with 100-amp electrical service. That was plenty at the time, but today’s homes often run EV chargers, heat pumps, larger kitchens and home offices. An electrical service upgrade, often to 200 amps, gives your home the capacity it needs.
Signs Your Home Has Outgrown Its Service
- Lights dim noticeably when the AC, dryer or microwave starts
- The main breaker trips, or branch breakers trip often
- There is no room in the panel for new circuits
- You are adding an EV charger, a hot tub, a heat pump, an electric range or a room addition
- A home inspection or insurance review flagged the service size
How a Service Upgrade Works
The first step is a load calculation. We add up what your home uses now and what you plan to add, so the new service is sized correctly instead of guessed at. A typical upgrade can include a new meter base, service entrance conductors, a new main panel and updated grounding and bonding.
Service upgrades require coordination with your utility, whether that is Georgia Power or your local EMC, along with permitting and inspection. We will walk you through each step and schedule the power outage with you.
Planning Ahead Saves Money
If you expect to add a charger, a pool or a workshop in the next few years, tell us. Sizing the service for your future plans now can prevent a second upgrade later. It is also a good time to add whole-home surge protection and dedicated circuits.
Service Upgrade FAQs
Do I need 200 amps for an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation shows whether your existing service can support a charger. In some homes, a smaller charger circuit or a load management device avoids the need for a full upgrade.
Will my power be off during the upgrade?
Yes, for part of the day while the utility disconnects and reconnects service. We plan the timing with you ahead of time.
Home Run handles service upgrades for homes in McDonough, Conyers, Covington and throughout our service area. Related: electrical panel replacement and EV charger installation.