New circuit breaker panel recommendations?

[DenverGP]

Finally getting my central air and new heater installed. Existing panel is pretty much maxed out, had to do some re-arranging to make it work for now (still safely), but want to look at getting a new upgraded panel installed.

Current panel is 100 amp, 12 breaker, 24 circuit panel. All the breakers except the 2-pole ones are the "cheater" tandem breakers. Probably looking for a 150 amp panel?

I've done a bit of electrical work over the years, but not an electrician, so guessing this exceeds my capabilities.

Can anyone recommend an electrician in the denver metro area (SW part of littleton)?

Anyone have any guesses on how much $$$ I'm looking at?

[SideShow Bob]

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[Bailey Guns]

I'm certainly no electrician...but a 150 amp panel seems a little small.

We had a panel updated in an older house. It was supposed to be an easy hot-tub electrical prep. Every time the electrician turned around the price went up. But he wound up being very thorough and found a lot of potential safety issues...like romex wire spliced with nothing more than electrical tape in some of the walls. It wound up being very expensive.

[DenverGP]

I'm certainly no electrician...but a 150 amp panel seems a little small.

It's a small house, about 1200sqft plus a finished basement, and we've been managing with the 100 amp panel for a while now, but you make a good point...

Since I'm paying to have it upgraded, should probably go to at least 200 amps. I'm pretty sure other houses in the subdivision (all by the same builder) have already changed out to a 200amp without needing to change the feed. Might as well make sure whatever I get is enough for the rest of my time in the house.

[laportecharlie]

If the only load you are adding is an A/C unit, 150 amp is more than enough. You could get a price on a 150 amp and a 200 amp upgrade and see if the extra amperage is worth the extra money. You won't get a nickel more for your house when you sell it because it has a bigger service. You definitely do not want to go over 200 amps as the cost will way more than double.
Charlie

[sandman76]

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