Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace

brokenhammer · 01-10-2010, 10:44 PM

Hello. I'm thinking about installing an electric furnace in my home. I currently have a 100Amp service. I know that it's common to install a 200 amp panel when a home has an electric furnace. Is this code? Can a home run ok w/ a 100 amp panel and an electric furnace? In missouri.

thanks

**Termite** · 01-10-2010, 10:49 PM

The size of the panel and the main overcurrent device doesn't really have a heck of a lot to do with whether or not the furnace is electric. The service is sized based on the service demands of the home as a whole. That is often a "rule of thumb" thing but service calcs are the only way to know for sure. Think of it this way...If you have a 100amp service, what are the odds that you'll ever be drawing 100amps? Not likely in most cases.

There's not a requirement that says you've got to have a 200 amp service just because you've got an electric furnace and/or water heater. If a service person says that's the case, ask them to walk you through their service calcs.

(just my opinion, but you'll hate the electric furnace if you've currently got a gas unit)

spark plug · 01-10-2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekctermite

The size of the panel and the main overcurrent device doesn't really have a heck of a lot to do with whether or not the furnace is electric. The service is sized based on the service demands of the home as a whole. That is often a "rule of thumb" thing but service calcs are the only way to know for sure. Think of it this way...If you have a 100amp service, what are the odds that you'll ever be drawing 100amps? Not likely in most cases.

There's not a requirement that says you've got to have a 200 amp service just because you've got an electric furnace and/or water heater. If a service person says that's the case, ask them to walk you through their service calcs.

(just my opinion, but you'll hate the electric furnace if you've currently got a gas unit)

No. the OP will not hate the furnace. They'll hate the bill vs. the bill for Gas heat with comparable output!

brokenhammer · 01-10-2010, 10:57 PM

This project is for a rental home. After spending the better part of friday niht and saturday repairing a gas leak and then having the gas company fail me for the furnace flue... and then repairing it, I'm leaning towards making the home all electric for reliability. I believe the cost is a little higher, but to never have gas / exhaust issues is a major plus.
Just out of curiosity, what sort of amp draw would an electric furnace pull (in a 950 s.f. home?

Scuba_Dave · 01-10-2010, 11:03 PM

You are doing your own work on a rental property?
Are you licensed ?
Everything I have heard everywhere states only a Pro can do work on rental properties ?

brokenhammer · 01-10-2010, 11:40 PM

Scuba:
Huh? I must be overlooking your sarcasm.

Scuba_Dave · 01-11-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokenhammer

Scuba:
Huh? I must be overlooking your sarcasm.

Not sarcasm...you may be violating the law
On the one hand you say its your home...then you say it is rental property

brokenhammer · 01-11-2010, 11:31 AM

ScuabaDave
Gosh. You caught me.
I wasn't trying to be deceptive. Did I ever say that I personally was going to install the unit myself? NO. I DID NOT. Why are you such a worry wart? IF I had the proper training and licensing, there would be nothing wrong with me doing the work anywhere. According to what you're saying, as a landlord, I can't even paint huh? Don't send me to jail. Why should it matter whether I preface my question with "on a rental property" I'm a diyer like you. Since my work is often on rental homes, does it make it not worthy or interesting to discuss? I think not.

Scuba_Dave · 01-11-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokenhammer

Hello. I'm thinking about installing an electric furnace in my home

You are right, where would I get the idea you were going to install it

Again, many areas you are not allowed to do this type of work on property you are renting out
Its a matter of wether you are legally able to do the work
Threads that discuss illegal work ARE CLOSED
I also suggest that you check your attitude

01-10-2010, 10:44 PM	#1
brokenhammer Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 115	Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace Hello. I'm thinking about installing an electric furnace in my home. I currently have a 100Amp service. I know that it's common to install a 200 amp panel when a home has an electric furnace. Is this code? Can a home run ok w/ a 100 amp panel and an electric furnace? In missouri. thanks

01-10-2010, 10:49 PM	#2
Termite Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6,520	Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace The size of the panel and the main overcurrent device doesn't really have a heck of a lot to do with whether or not the furnace is electric. The service is sized based on the service demands of the home as a whole. That is often a "rule of thumb" thing but service calcs are the only way to know for sure. Think of it this way...If you have a 100amp service, what are the odds that you'll ever be drawing 100amps? Not likely in most cases. There's not a requirement that says you've got to have a 200 amp service just because you've got an electric furnace and/or water heater. If a service person says that's the case, ask them to walk you through their service calcs. (just my opinion, but you'll hate the electric furnace if you've currently got a gas unit)

01-10-2010, 10:57 PM	#4
brokenhammer Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 115	Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace This project is for a rental home. After spending the better part of friday niht and saturday repairing a gas leak and then having the gas company fail me for the furnace flue... and then repairing it, I'm leaning towards making the home all electric for reliability. I believe the cost is a little higher, but to never have gas / exhaust issues is a major plus. Just out of curiosity, what sort of amp draw would an electric furnace pull (in a 950 s.f. home?

01-10-2010, 11:03 PM	#5
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace You are doing your own work on a rental property? Are you licensed ? Everything I have heard everywhere states only a Pro can do work on rental properties ?

01-10-2010, 11:40 PM	#6
brokenhammer Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 115	Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace Scuba: Huh? I must be overlooking your sarcasm.

Electrical Service Required for an Electric furnace