Electrical Service Upgrades in Grand Rapids

Many older homes still operate with seriously outdated 60-amp electrical service – and sometimes with just a few fuses or circuit breakers to protect the entire system. These systems and circuits rarely support the addition of lighting or appliances or the amount of electricity required for one teenager’s bedroom.

Newer homes often have 100-amp service panels, but even this minimum requirement set by many current codes may fall short of your present or future needs. Consider upgrading service to 150 or 200 amps.

Our licensed electricians can inspect your service, upgrade your electrical service, and add additional circuits to support your remodeling needs:

• Electric service upgrade
• Electric fireplace wiring
• Hot tub wiring
• Sauna wiring
• Electrical outlet installation
• Circuit breakers

Begin by calling us at (616) 319-2125 today and asking about our Grand Rapids electrical service upgrades.

What Is 60-Amp Electrical Service?

Electrical service size is often misunderstood. Some people imagine that a 200-amp service delivers “better” electricity than 100 amps. The service size, however, indicates nothing more than the maximum current you can draw through your electrical system at one time. The more high-power electrical fixtures and appliances you have, the larger service size you will need. For example, a home with electric heat or Geothermal Heat needs a larger service size than a gas-heated home. If your electrical demands increase, you may have to upgrade your electrical service to meet the new demand. For example, if you build an addition, or install a sauna or hot tub, you may require a service upgrade to meet the new electrical draws.

Traditional 60-Amp Electrical Service Is An Insurance Risk

Most homes today have a 100 or 200 amp service. But some still have only a 60 amp service. Sixty amp service is not enough to service a home with an electric stove, oven, clothes dryer, air conditioner, and so on. But some homes operate just fine on 60 amps. These homes usually have a gas stove, and sometimes a gas clothes dryer as well.

Even if your home operates safely with 60-amp service, the problem lies in insuring the home. Many insurance companies will not insure a home with a 60 amp service.

Homebuyers are often informed by the home inspector that the electrical system needs an upgrade because the 60 amp service is not insurable. This news often comes as a surprise to all parties in a house-sale transaction because the home is clearly currently insured. At this time, insurance companies are not yet chasing down existing policies to demand an electrical upgrade. But when the buyer calls an insurance company to set up a new policy, that is when the insurance company takes the opportunity to demand the upgrade. It is safer and easier for everyone involved to simply update these systems as soon as possible.

Contact Vander Hyde Services today to learn more about our electrical service upgrades in Grand Rapids.