[Ryan_Colorado]

Thanks in advance. My mother lives in a high-rise condo in Florida. Her unit is not wired for a washer or dryer. The building is updating its policies to permit them. There's a closet where a washer and dryer will fit. It's not far from the breaker panel and water.

In 2003 she remodeled her kitchen relocating the panel. The current panel is full. It looks like a small 100 amp panel (12 slots, and quite a few skinny breakers in A and B positions. There's half a slot where a washer could go, but no room for a dryer.

She's hearing the electrician might have to wire all the way to the meter, and possibly even further (which I REALLY don't get).

My assumption is that they're saying service to her unit can't go up to 200 amp without a new run from her meter (or further?). She's on the 5th floor. The quote is like $6,000.

I'd like to be informed before asking the electrician why they can't wire a sub-panel. Is it possible in an apartment building that the wire from the meter can't handle a larger box or a sub-panel?

Thx!

 

[daveb1]

You're best bet would be to do a load calculation. If your mother has electric heaters and most likely air conditioning, 100 amps might be just enough as it is.

Don't forget you will need a vent for the dryer.

 

[Ryan_Colorado]

Thanks for the response.

I think it would require a ventless dryer. It's not an outside wall.

Her AC, range and water-heater are all wired into this box. So do you therefore think it's possible a sub-panel would be sufficient? It would mean relocating some of those circuits to the new box in addition to adding the washer/dryer.

 

[rjniles]

Adding a sub panel only increases the number of slots, it doesn't increase the capacity beyond 100 amps.

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[Ryan_Colorado]

So if the load calculation determines 100 amps is fine, then a sub-panel would be fine.

If the load calculation determines 100 amps is not fine, then she has to increase the amperage, right? So, does it make sense that increasing the amperage might mean going all the way back to the meter?

 

[rjniles]

So if the load calculation determines 100 amps is fine, then a sub-panel would be fine.

If the load calculation determines 100 amps is not fine, then she has to increase the amperage, right? So, does it make sense that increasing the amperage might mean going all the way back to the meter?

The only way to increase the service size is to replace the existing panel and service conductors back to the meter.

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[Wiredindallas]

Without knowing for sure, I would expect to increase the service to a unit on the 5th floor of a presumed large building to not be practical.
As long as you have an appropriate sized main breaker, I would just replace the panel for more space, not increase the service size.

 

[RegeSullivan]

Doing a load calculation is the right place to start. That said, unless this place is huge it's hard to imagine an average FL condo in a high rise needs more than a 100 amps. I know a couple of guys have a small commercial welding/machine shop with an office that operate on 100 amp service.

 

[lenaitch]

I realize that this is an electrical thread, but is there plumbing drainage available? I understand that ventless dryers need either a drain or tank that must be emptied. I would also want to check with my insurance company. I would think a flood impacting downstairs units could get expensive.

 

[NCmountainCabin]

there are also other options, like purchasing a ventless all-in-one SPLENDIDE brand washer/dryer, like those used in many RVs.... only a simple 120v outlet is needed, on a 15amp breaker.

https://www.campingworld.com/splendide-7100xc-washerdryer-platinum-37360.html