If you think back to the 1980s, most homes were powering a fridge, a TV, a few lights, and maybe a microwave that weighed as much as a small car. That was pretty much it. Electrical needs were simple. Fast-forward to life in the Triangle today, and the comparison is almost funny. Most homes now run multiple computers, smart appliances, smart thermostats, dual HVAC units, gaming consoles, massive TVs, outdoor lighting, high-efficiency dryers, and, more and more often, electric vehicles.
Here is where things get tricky. A huge number of older Raleigh homes are still relying on 100-amp service. A 100-amp panel made sense decades ago, but modern living is a completely different world. Trying to run today’s home on yesterday’s electrical capacity is like trying to fill a swimming pool with a garden hose. Technically, it works, but not well, and definitely not fast enough.
That is where a 200-amp service upgrade comes in. It gives your home the room, flexibility, and power it actually needs to keep up.
What 200 Amps Really Means for Your Home
Think of your electrical service like a water pipe. Amps determine how wide that pipe is. A 100-amp panel is a narrow pipe. A 200-amp service upgrade doubles the width and allows far more electrical flow at once.
And that makes a huge difference in day-to-day life.
A 100-amp panel hits its limit quickly when you start stacking up normal activities: the HVAC kicks on, the dryer heats up, the microwave runs, the dishwasher is mid-cycle, and someone decides to charge a laptop. It does not take much to max out the load. That is when the lights flicker, breakers trip, or the panel simply has no room left for anything new.
A 200-amp service upgrade solves that by giving your home the capacity it should have had all along.
Three Signs You Have Outgrown Your Panel
Most people assume that flickering lights or tripped breakers mean something is broken. More often, the panel is just underpowered for what you are trying to run. Here are the most common giveaways.
1. Dimming or Flickering Lights
If your lights dip every time the AC kicks on, that is not just an annoyance. It is your electrical system working at its absolute limit and borrowing power from one area of the house to feed another. Older 100-amp panels struggle when several high-demand appliances run at the same time, so the lights become the first place you notice the strain. A 200-amp service upgrade gives your home the extra capacity it needs so everything can run smoothly at once. No more flickering, no more guessing, just consistent power across the entire house.
2. Tripping Breakers
A breaker that trips occasionally is doing its job. A breaker that trips often is your panel telling you it cannot keep up. This usually happens when the electrical load in your home has outgrown what the panel was designed for. Maybe you have added new appliances, set up a home office, or started charging an EV. Whatever the reason, a 100-amp panel can only carry so much before it shuts things down for safety. A 200-amp service upgrade adds the capacity your home needs so the panel can support your actual lifestyle instead of fighting against it.
3. No Room for New Circuits
If you have ever opened your panel and found every slot full, you already know what this means: the electrical system you have was never meant to handle today’s demands. Whether you want a dedicated circuit for a workshop tool, a heat pump, a hot tub, a new appliance or even just more outlets in a room, you need available space to do it safely. A 200-amp service upgrade solves this problem by giving you a larger panel with room for additional circuits. It is the difference between being stuck with what you have and being able to add what you want without compromising the rest of your home.
Why the Triangle Outgrows 100 Amps Faster Than Most Areas
Living in the Triangle means constant upgrades. EVs, heat pumps, and home renovations are everywhere, and all of them draw more power than older homes were designed to handle.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
A Level 2 charger can take up 30 to 50 amps by itself. That is nearly half of a 100-amp panel’s available capacity. Most EV owners end up needing a 200-amp service upgrade just to charge safely and predictably.
Heat Pumps and Modern HVAC
High-efficiency heat pumps offer great comfort and energy savings, but they are power-hungry compared to older systems. Add a tankless water heater or a mini split, and your electrical load climbs fast. With a 200-amp service upgrade, you have room to support these systems the right way.
Hot Tubs, Outdoor Kitchens, and Renovations
Bell Tower Electric handles these projects regularly, and many of them require a heavy up before the rest of the work can move forward. A 200-amp service upgrade ensures that the new features run safely without stressing the rest of your home.
Why Inspectors and Buyers Look for 200 Amp Panels
In Raleigh’s market, buyers pay close attention to electrical capacity. A home with 200-amp service signals that it is ready for modern life. A home still operating on 100 amps often becomes a negotiation point that slows down the sale or lowers the offer.
Because Bell Tower Electric also works with realtors on inspection reports, we see this play out constantly. A 200-amp service upgrade removes that problem and gives your home an immediate advantage.
Planning a Remodel or Buying an EV? Start With the Electrical
A 200-amp service upgrade is not just about having more power. It is about safety, reliability and planning for the future. If you know you will be adding a heat pump, a Tesla charger, a hot tub or anything else that draws more electricity, the best first step is getting a load calculation.
That is where Bell Tower comes in. We answer the phone. We show up. We take a careful look at what your home already has and what you are planning, and then we tell you honestly whether you truly need a 200-amp service upgrade or whether a smaller adjustment will do the job. No pressure, no upselling, just the straight truth about what will keep your home safe and running smoothly.
If you are thinking about renovating, adding new equipment or upgrading to an EV, now is the ideal time to understand your electrical capacity.
Contact Bell Tower Electric today to schedule a load calculation and make sure your home is ready for whatever comes next.
