Does Your Home Have Enough Power for a Remodel?

Remodeling your home in Idaho Falls is an exciting venture. Whether you are expanding your kitchen, adding a master suite, or converting a garage into a dedicated workshop, the process involves envisioning new layouts and selecting beautiful finishes. However, amidst the excitement of choosing cabinets and flooring, homeowners often overlook the single most important system that dictates what the new space can actually handle: the electrical system.

Your home’s electrical panel is the engine that powers every circuit, outlet, and appliance. Ignoring its capacity before starting a major remodel is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes a homeowner can make. If your electrical panel is old, too small, or already maxed out, your ambitious remodel could be destined for constantly tripping breakers, melted wiring, and failed safety inspections.

The question is simple, but the answer is complex. Does your home have enough power? The answer depends on two factors: the physical capacity of your main breaker box and the total power demands of the modern lifestyle you are building. Ensuring your power supply is adequate is a critical upfront investment that guarantees safety, reliability, and code compliance for decades to come.

The Evolution of Home Power Needs

Homes built in the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s were designed for a different world. At that time, household appliances were minimal, and computers did not exist. Many older homes in the area were built with 60 amp or 100 amp electrical service panels. These panels were sufficient for basic lighting, a refrigerator, a television, and a few minor appliances.

Today’s power demands are exponentially greater. Consider the technology we rely on daily. We have high efficiency heat pumps and central air conditioners, electric vehicle chargers in the garage, high speed induction cooktops, large entertainment systems, numerous computers, and dedicated circuits for home automation. Each of these items adds significant load to the system, especially high amperage 240 volt appliances.

A 60 amp panel is dangerous and severely outdated for any home in Idaho Falls. A 100 amp panel, while better, is often insufficient for a home undergoing a significant kitchen remodel or a major expansion. Attempting to run a modern, high demand household on an outdated panel is a recipe for constant frustration and a real fire hazard. The panel is a choke point; if you try to draw more power than it can safely handle, the system will fail.

Diagnosing Your Current Electrical Capacity

Determining whether your home has enough power requires assessing two primary components of your panel: the amperage rating and the available breaker slots. The amperage rating, typically found on the main breaker, dictates the maximum amount of power the system can handle at any given time. While a 150 amp panel is acceptable for many smaller homes, 200 amps is considered the modern standard necessary to comfortably support a major remodel, central air conditioning, and future additions like an EV charger.

If your main breaker is 100 amps or less, a major remodel is the perfect time to upgrade to 200 amps. Without this upgrade, the new appliances and circuits required by code will overload your service.

Need an electrical inspection? Click here for our electrical inspection service.

The second issue is physical space. Even if the amperage is adequate, your main panel may not have physical space for new breakers. Every new circuit added during a remodel requires its own breaker slot. Many older panels look full, forcing installers to use risky methods like “double tapping” wires on a single breaker or installing “tandem” breakers without checking the panel’s specifications. These practices can void your insurance and create serious fire hazards.

Visual warning signs that your panel is already overloaded include frequently tripping circuit breakers, lights that flicker or dim when major appliances cycle on, or a burning or buzzing sound coming from the panel box itself. If your home has an old glass fuse box, an upgrade is mandatory for any remodel.

The Electrical Demands of Common Remodels

Different remodeling projects place unique and often heavy burdens on your electrical system. A proper electrical assessment ensures the new space can function safely and efficiently.

A kitchen remodel typically requires the most intense electrical planning. Code requires dedicated 20 amp circuits for small appliance loads on the countertops. You also need dedicated circuits for the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and refrigerator. If you are installing an induction cooktop or a double wall oven, these require 240 volt circuits that draw a significant amount of power. Attempting to piggyback these high demand circuits onto older, existing wiring is not only against code but extremely dangerous.

Bathroom remodels also require specific electrical attention. New code demands dedicated 20 amp GFCI circuits for vanity outlets to prevent shock hazards. Upgrades like steam showers, electric radiant floor heating, or high efficiency exhaust fans must also be wired to handle their specific loads.

Adding a dedicated workspace or a new construction addition, such as a master suite, presents a different challenge. These spaces require entirely new branch circuits for lighting and general receptacles. If the addition is separated from the main house, like a detached garage or workshop, the electrical demands can be enormous, often requiring a subpanel. Our dual expertise in electrical and HVAC at Minuteman Services means we also consider the load of any new air conditioning unit or electric heat pump you plan to install in the addition.

Solutions: Panel Upgrades and Subpanels

When the electrical assessment reveals a shortage in capacity or breaker slots, there are two primary professional solutions: a full panel upgrade or the installation of a subpanel.

A full panel upgrade involves replacing the outdated main service panel with a new 200 amp breaker box. This comprehensive solution guarantees safety and capacity for the next several decades. It is a highly complex process that involves coordinating with your utility company to temporarily shut off power at the meter. This work must be done by a licensed electrician, as it deals with the highest voltage in your home. While this is one of the most expensive electrical upgrades, it is non negotiable if your current panel is undersized or antiquated. The new panel provides the capacity and space needed for all the dedicated circuits a modern remodel requires.

Want to troubleshoot the most common electrical issues? Click here for more information.

A subpanel is an auxiliary breaker box. It draws its power from the main panel but is installed closer to the point of use, such as a garage or a second floor addition. Subpanels are perfect for areas that have a high concentration of electrical needs. Instead of running a dozen individual circuits from the main panel across the house, a single large feeder cable runs from the main panel to the subpanel. The subpanel then distributes the power to the local circuits in the garage, workshop, or addition. This solution is more cost effective than a full panel upgrade if your main service panel already has sufficient amperage and just needs more physical space for new breakers in a specific area.

Code Compliance and Insurance Liability

The electrical system is the most regulated system in your home for a critical reason: safety. Any major electrical work or remodel in Idaho Falls requires permits and subsequent inspections by the local jurisdiction. Licensed electricians know the intricacies of the National Electrical Code and state regulations. We ensure every wire size, every circuit protection device, and every connection meets the minimum safety standards.

Attempting to do electrical work without a permit or hiring an unlicensed handyman carries significant financial and personal risks. If unpermitted work is done, the home will fail inspection during the remodel, halting construction until the wiring is brought up to code. This is expensive, as the licensed contractor often has to tear out the amateur wiring and start from scratch.

More seriously, if a fire or electrical injury occurs due to unpermitted, non-code-compliant wiring, your homeowners insurance company has grounds to deny the claim. This leaves you personally liable for the loss of your home and any damages caused to neighboring properties. Investing in a licensed professional is the best insurance policy you can buy.

The Minuteman Services Advantage

Minuteman Services is uniquely equipped to handle the complex electrical needs of a major remodel in Idaho Falls. We are licensed electricians who specialize in panel upgrades, new circuit installations, and subpanels. We have the 45 years of combined experience needed to accurately calculate the total load of your planned remodel, ensuring your new system has sufficient capacity for today and tomorrow.

Crucially, we also have deep expertise in the HVAC trade. This dual specialization provides a significant advantage during complex remodels. When assessing your electrical needs, we do not just look at your outlets and lights. We look at the total system, understanding how the new 240 volt cooktop will interact with the new heat pump or central air unit you install. This holistic view prevents conflicts between high-demand systems and guarantees the entire house, not just one room, operates safely and efficiently.

The planning phase of a remodel is the most important time to assess your electrical capacity. Do not let the excitement of new finishes distract you from the safety and functionality of your electrical system. The investment in a panel upgrade or a subpanel is an investment in the long term safety, code compliance, and future value of your Idaho Falls home. It eliminates the frustration of constantly tripping breakers and protects against devastating fire hazards. Before you swing the first hammer or choose the first appliance, consult with a licensed professional. Minuteman Services can ensure your electrical foundation is rock solid, giving you the power you need to safely realize your remodeling dreams.