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CSLB #354550 · C-10 Electrical · Licensed since 1978 · $25,000 contractor's bond

NEC 220.82 · Homes

Optional load calculation for a single home

The optional method calculates the load for a single dwelling whose service or feeder ampacity is 100 A or more: general loads at 100% of the first 10 kVA plus 40% of the rest, plus the largest heating or cooling option.

What the code requires

Section 220.82 is an optional way to calculate the load for a single dwelling unit. It applies when the dwelling is served by one 120/240-V or 208Y/120-V, 3-wire set of service or feeder conductors with an ampacity of 100 A or more.

General loads are totaled and counted at 100% of the first 10 kVA plus 40% of the rest. They include 3 VA/ft² of floor area, figured from outside dimensions and leaving out open porches, garages and unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use; 1,500 VA for each small-appliance and laundry branch circuit; the nameplate ratings of appliances that are fastened in place, permanently connected or on a specific circuit, plus ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, clothes dryers not on the laundry circuit and water heaters; and permanently connected motors not already counted.

Heating and air conditioning are then added, using the largest of these: 100% of the air conditioning; 100% of a heat pump with no supplemental heat; 100% of the heat-pump compressor plus 65% of supplemental electric heat; 65% of electric space heat in fewer than four separately controlled units; 40% of electric space heat in four or more units; or 100% of thermal storage heat.

On the job

  • The Town of Truckee's residential load worksheet, issued under California's 2025 codes, follows these steps. Its sample 2,800-ft² home comes to about 123 A.
  • That worksheet counts an EV charger at its nameplate rating within the general loads.
  • The neutral may be calculated separately under 220.61.

Related sections

Where this comes from

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CSLB #354550 · C-10 Electrical · Licensed since 1978 · $25,000 contractor's bond