Residential Electrical Load Calculator
Calculate dwelling connected load, optional-method general demand, HVAC/heating demand, total VA/kVA and calculated amperes using the selected 2023 or 2026 basis.
Estimating/checking aid only. Verify the NEC edition, local amendments and AHJ requirements. This tool does not provide automatic service/conductor sizing or establish NEC compliance.
Residential Electrical Load Calculator
Optional dwelling-method estimating/checking aid with an explicit calculation basis.
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Electrical Estimating ServicesHow to use the residential electrical load calculator
- Select the calculation basis and verify the NEC edition adopted by the project jurisdiction.
- Choose 120/240V or 120/208V single-phase, then enter dwelling area and circuit counts.
- Enter appliance names, nameplate VA and physical quantities. Add or remove rows as needed.
- Select the applicable HVAC method and enter its active equipment values.
- Calculate and review connected general load, general demand, HVAC demand, total VA/kVA and calculated amperes.
This is an estimating/checking aid for the calculator's V1 optional dwelling-method workflow. Selecting an edition does not establish applicability or NEC compliance. Verify the adopted edition, local amendments, AHJ requirements and project conditions.
What forms the connected general load?
The calculator combines these entered loads before applying the selected general-demand calculation:
- Dwelling lighting and general-use receptacles: dwelling area × 3 VA/SF.
- Small-appliance circuits: entered circuit count × 1,500 VA.
- Laundry circuits: entered circuit count × 1,500 VA.
- Appliances: each entered nameplate VA × physical quantity, summed across rows.
Ordinary general-use receptacle counts are not separately generated. Circuit counts and appliance quantities are user inputs. Default appliance ratings are editable benchmark assumptions, not universal equipment ratings; use appropriate project/nameplate values.
2023 and 2026 calculation bases
The selector changes the first block used by this V1 general-demand calculation. It does not choose the edition adopted for your project.
2023 NEC basis
The calculator applies 100% to the first 10,000 VA and 40% to the remainder. For 25,600 VA of connected general load:
10,000 + (25,600 − 10,000) × 0.40 = 16,240 VA general demand.
2026 NEC basis
The calculator applies 100% to the first 8,000 VA and 40% to the remainder. Using the same connected general load:
8,000 + (25,600 − 8,000) × 0.40 = 15,040 VA general demand.
If connected general load is below the selected first block, that load is taken at 100%. Check the visible calculation-basis warning before using the result.
HVAC and heating demand
The following describes the calculator's implemented V1 methods. Confirm that the selected mode and noncoincident/simultaneous operation match the equipment and project requirements.
A/C vs Electric Heat
A/C is taken at 100%. Entered electric heat is taken at 65% for fewer than four separately controlled heat units, or 40% for four or more. The calculator selects the larger calculated noncoincident load.
With 8,000 VA of heat and three units, heat demand is 8,000 × 0.65 = 5,200 VA. Compared with 5,000 VA of A/C, the selected HVAC demand is 5,200 VA. With four units, the heat component becomes 3,200 VA; if A/C remains 5,000 VA, A/C is then the larger selected load.
Heat Pump — No Supplemental Heat
HVAC demand equals 100% of the entered heat-pump VA.
Heat Pump + Supplemental Electric Heat
For the simultaneous setting Yes, HVAC demand is Compressor VA + 65% of Supplemental Heat VA. For No, the calculator uses the larger of Compressor VA and 65% of Supplemental Heat VA.
For example, 5,000 VA of compressor load and 8,000 VA of supplemental heat produce 10,200 VA when simultaneous, or 5,200 VA when noncoincident.
Worked example: a 1,500-SF dwelling
Use 1,500 SF, two small-appliance circuits, one laundry circuit and the default appliance ratings: Dishwasher 1,200 VA, Disposal 900 VA, Water Heater 4,500 VA, Range 6,000 VA and Dryer 4,000 VA, each at quantity one. Set A/C to 5,000 VA and electric heat to 8,000 VA with three separately controlled units.
| Connected component | Calculation | VA |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting / receptacles | 1,500 SF × 3 | 4,500 |
| Small-appliance circuits | 2 × 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Laundry circuits | 1 × 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Entered appliances | Sum of VA × quantity | 16,600 |
| Connected general | Total of these components | 25,600 |
| Result | 2023 basis | 2026 basis |
|---|---|---|
| General demand | 16,240 VA | 15,040 VA |
| Selected HVAC demand | 5,200 VA | 5,200 VA |
| Total calculated load | 21,440 VA | 20,240 VA |
| Calculated kVA | 21.44 kVA | 20.24 kVA |
| Calculated amps at 240V | 89.333 A | 84.333 A |
Calculated amperes and system voltage
Total calculated VA = General Demand + Selected HVAC Demand. Divide VA by 1,000 for kVA.
Calculated Amps = Total Calculated VA ÷ selected line-to-line voltage.
The 120/240V option uses 240V; the 120/208V option uses 208V. Switching voltage changes calculated current but leaves VA/kVA unchanged. The default 2023 result of 21,440 VA is approximately 103.077 A at 208V.
Calculated current is not a service-size recommendation
This electrical service load calculation aid reports calculated amperes only. It does not automatically recommend a service rating, breaker size, feeder size, conductor size or neutral size. Do not convert the displayed current directly into a recommended service rating without the required project-specific design and code review.
V1 scope and limitations
V1 does not perform commercial or multifamily load calculations, the standard dwelling method, automatic range/dryer demand tables, neutral-load calculations, EV-specific demand methods, service-size recommendations, breaker/conductor sizing, voltage drop, panel schedules, phase balancing, fault-current calculations or pricing/labor estimates.
It also does not add automatic appliance demand-factor tables, motor 125% additions or load-management/PCS methods. Review applicability and equipment information independently; this page does not certify code compliance.
Frequently asked questions
What is an electrical load calculation?
It organizes entered electrical loads and applies a stated calculation method to determine demand and current. This tool reports the V1 optional dwelling-method results for the selected calculation basis.
How is dwelling square footage used?
The calculator multiplies the entered dwelling area by 3 VA/SF for general lighting and receptacle load, then includes it in Connected General.
What are small-appliance and laundry loads?
Each entered small-appliance or laundry circuit contributes 1,500 VA in this calculator. Enter the applicable circuit counts for the project.
What is the difference between connected load and demand load?
Connected General is the sum of the entered dwelling, circuit and appliance loads. General Demand is the result after the selected first-block and 40% remainder calculation. HVAC demand is calculated separately and then added.
What does the 2023/2026 selector mean?
It selects this calculator's general-demand basis: first 10,000 VA at 100% for 2023, or first 8,000 VA for 2026, with the remainder at 40%. Selection does not establish compliance.
How does the calculator handle A/C and electric heat?
In A/C vs Electric Heat mode, it compares 100% of A/C with the calculated heat component: 65% for fewer than four separately controlled units or 40% for four or more. It selects the larger noncoincident load.
Does it calculate heat pumps?
Yes. Heat Pump — No Supplemental Heat uses 100% of entered VA. The supplemental mode either adds compressor VA to 65% of supplemental heat, or selects the larger component when simultaneous operation is set to No.
Does calculated amperage determine service size?
No. Calculated amperage is an output of the entered loads and selected method. The calculator does not recommend a service rating.
Can it size breakers or conductors?
No. Breaker, feeder, conductor and neutral sizing are outside V1.
Which NEC edition should I select?
Verify the edition and amendments adopted by the project jurisdiction and confirm applicability with the relevant AHJ/project requirements. Do not assume that the newest option is the adopted edition.