we are looking at houses as you guys probably have figured with my rash of recent questions! LOL we found a decent all brick on about a 1/2 a wooded acre in a decent area. only problem is 100 amp service and no central air. is 100 amps really that bad? what are the downfalls? also has a nice 3 car detached garage for workshop and storage etc.....here is link with info...

http://lvarmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mg...,-A,-N11494577

jim

 

100 amps is ok with central as long as ya don't have elecric dryer, but even then it's still not a deal buster.

Adrianspeeder

 

With no central air, it would probably be okay. If it has items like dishwasher, disposal, electric hot water heater, electric dryer, elec stove, etc, it is pushing the limit. I have a 200amp in my place, with central air, elec water heater, elec dryer.
If you consider, a kitchen will usually have 2 20 amp circuits, electric water heater will have 2 25amp circuits, you are pushing 100 amps right there. Again a lot depend on the appliances and how many circuits there are in the house. Doesn't take long to ad up to 100.

 

If you really like the house, you can upgrade the service for 300-400 bucks.

My house has a fuse box, i picked up a 200 amp 40 slot panel and about 30 breakers for less than 300. I haven't put it in yet, I have an electrician friend that insists he is going to help, I will just pull the meter one day and do it.

On the AC side, I am having an AC system installed this year, about 3200 bucks, I have oil/hot water baseboard heat, so they will have to run ducts, it will also serve as a dehumidifier in my basement. My draw back is I have a 2 story house soo I will only be having AC on the first floor and the basement.

 

You can always upgrade easily. When we moved into this hout it still had and old fuse box. It had two 30 amp fuses and a main throw switch. I put in a 100 amp box with no problems at all. When I put on my addition next year there will be a second 100amp box in the garage to service that half of the house. This way all I have to do is jump from one box to the other with the mains. Before I do this however I need to upgrade the power coming from the pole to the hose. It is the old crap that was installed in the 40's and I am suprised that it doesn't glow cherry red at night with all the power I suck out of it.

 

Especially with all the freaking TV's, computers, games, etc that you have.

 

Here now!!! You weren't supposed to remember all that crap. It isn't too bad right at the moment. Our network has 2 laptops, and 3 desktops, but we are going to add another desktop in March. The TV's are holding pretty steady with the 36" in the living room, 27" in my bedroom, 13" in the kitchen, and the other three bedrooms having a 20" and two 13". so I guess that gives me 6. Games....Hell I can't even keep track anymore. I know there are 2 of the original Playstations, my PS2, some V-Smile thing-a-ma-jig, and another one that I can't recall the name of at the moment. The game systems don't get a bunch of use anymore. All of the kids have their own Gameboys now so they can each play whatever they want and I don't have to listen to them fighting.

Edit....Oops, the difference between do and don't makes a diff.

 

I'm thinking...we have at least 4 TV's on the top floor, 4 TV's on the main floor (usually 3 but my LCD TV/Monitor is here) and 2 in the basement that are hooked up. There might be a few more in the storage room. Who knows. 5 desktop computers, 4 are hooked up, 3 are working. Only one has internet, cause I have no reason to set up a router when I'm only here a few weeks out of the year, but I probably will this summer.

 

i only have 100 amps in my house it a 1300 sq foot house i have a electric stove ,waterheater 60 gallon 20 amp,dryer and central air with no problem my box is full i all so have 4 tvs that are always on i got kids. i got 3 computers that are always on.

 

Sorry bud, don't work like that. You have two 110volt legs comin in to give 220 volts. Still 100 amps.

 

see post #37

 

100 amps is fine.....

I have 100 Amp service and planned to upgrade to 200 but never got around to it and have never had a need.

I have central air, electric stove, microwave, computers, TVs, you name it. Plus I make my house look like the Griswalds on Christmas...I have never had an issue with 100 AMP service.


All this plus electric heaters and stove running...

 

You may have 100 amp breakers on each bar but that doesn't affect your 110/220 volt service.

Now I'm no electrician but trust me you can have 220v with 100 amp service.

You simply double up the 110v to get your 220v...you don't double the amps.

 

the thing is the that unless you have the electric stove on high and the electric dryer and ac and a host of other things the 100 amp will not be a problem.

 

Cliff notes version of this thread: Just buy the damn house.