200 Amp Service Upgrade · Aurora, CO
200 Amp Service Upgrade in Aurora, CO
A 200 amp service upgrade increases the electricity your home can draw from the utility, replacing the panel and usually the meter base and service entrance cable. It is the common fix when a 60 or 100 amp home adds an EV charger, heat pump or electric range.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Original Aurora, Hoffman Heights, Del Mar and more
Why 200 amp service upgrade comes up in Aurora
A 200 amp upgrade is a common step for Aurora's mid-century ranch homes, where 100 amp panels were sized for a range, a dryer and little else. Today's additions, including central air, a heat pump, a basement apartment, a hot tub and an EV charger, quickly exceed that. The upgrade usually includes a new meter base and either a taller service mast or an underground service, coordinated with Xcel Energy, and hail-damaged equipment is often replaced at the same time.
A load calculation confirms the size. Permits come from the City of Aurora's building division, and Colorado requires licensed electricians for the work.
- Mid-century homes often have 100 amp panels that are full and may have brands electricians suggest replacing.
- Original Aurora, Hoffman Heights and Del Mar are full of 1950s and 1960s ranch homes with 100 amp panels that are already full, and some have brands electricians suggest replacing.
- Adding central air, a heat pump, an EV charger or a basement finish usually requires an upgrade to 200 amps.
- Southeast Aurora's newer subdivisions, such as Saddle Rock, Southlands and Tallyn's Reach, mostly have attached garages and 200 amp services, which makes a Level 2 charger straightforward.
- Older 100 amp panels in north Aurora may need an upgrade first.
- Permits in Aurora
- Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Aurora's building division; parts of Aurora lie in Adams and Douglas counties. Colorado licenses electricians through the State Electrical Board.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
Signs to look for
- 60, 100 or 150 amp service with major loads planned
- The main breaker trips under heavy use
- No room for new circuits
- An electrician's load calculation near capacity
- An aging meter base or service mast
How the work is done
1. Load calculation
Existing and planned loads are calculated to confirm the service size.
2. Utility application
The utility approves the larger service and schedules the disconnect and reconnect.
3. Install the new service
Meter base, service entrance conductors, panel, grounding and bonding are installed.
4. Inspection and reconnect
After inspection, the utility reconnects power, sometimes with a new meter.
What moves the price in Aurora
Electricians set their own prices. Mid-century homes often have 100 amp panels that are full and may have brands electricians suggest replacing.
- Overhead versus underground service
- Meter base and mast replacement
- Distance between the meter and panel
- Utility requirements and fees
- Grounding electrode upgrades
- Permit fees
200 Amp Service Upgrade in Aurora: questions
Do I need a permit for 200 amp service upgrade in Aurora?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Aurora's building division; parts of Aurora lie in Adams and Douglas counties. Colorado licenses electricians through the State Electrical Board. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Aurora?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with Xcel Energy, which owns the meter and service drop.
Do I need 200 amps for an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation may show that a 100 or 150 amp service can support a charger, especially with a lower charging setting or a load-management device.
How long does a 200 amp upgrade take?
The installation is often one day, but utility scheduling and permits can add days or weeks.
Does the utility charge for a service upgrade?
Some utilities charge fees or require their own work on the service drop. Policies vary, so ask your utility.
Is 400 amps ever needed?
For very large homes or homes with electric heat, pools and multiple EV chargers, a larger service may be justified by the load calculation.
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