Author Topic: might be buying a house (Read 69811 times)

mmret · « **on:** March 17, 2016, 05:02:50 pm »

A few questions arise!

1. How much for a good AC unit? House is about 2800sqft including the finished basement. It is a new build. Has ducting for central AC and forced air heating but no AC unit is included. Front facing east. Rear facing west but has 3 story townhouses across the back yard from us that blocks a bit of sun.

2. If the breaker box master says "100" on both sides of the handle, does that mean its a 100+100 = 200 amp service or a 100 amp service?

The Schedule B says 100amp service but it just seems very odd for a new build 2800sqft to have 100amps only.

Merci.

bridgecity · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:09:41 pm »

1. Paid $3000 including tax in 2008 and $2200 in 2012 for A/C installation including electrical. The install in 2012 was through a guy who was retired but did installs in his spare time, hence the cheaper price. Houses were smaller than the one you are looking at, but current one is about 2400sqft including basement. I would bank on a minimum of 3K.
2. Dunno, but would guess 100amp

johngenx · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:14:55 pm »

100amp is pretty standard for new. Some older houses have 60amp services and do okay - it's the load, not the sq feet - but 100amp is usually installed when someone buys an older house to meet code and insurance contract regs. The builder calculated the estimated load for the house and probably installed the smallest panel that meets code. We have a 100amp panel in our house and no issues - we calculated that if we installed AC (which I don't think we will) we'd be at 80A max.

Running 240V into the garage to do stuff? Might need more. Stuff like that.

rrocket · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:17:37 pm »

Yep...paid a little over $3k for mine. Get the highest SEER rating you can afford. Also, there are usually some discount/rebates avail. through Ontario Hydro (or whatever hydro company is used).

mmret · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:20:25 pm »

Ok awesome. Some research I've done also corroborates the low 3k range.

As for the elec service, the house has a gas range which makes it a bit easier but is it for sure fine even with the AC, central vac etc?

johngenx · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:22:48 pm »

Quote from: mmret on March 17, 2016, 05:20:25 pm

Ok awesome. Some research I've done also corroborates the low 3k range.

As for the elec service, the house has a gas range which makes it a bit easier but is it for sure fine even with the AC, central vac etc?

Probably - ours is a little higher than some at 80A thanks to the garage wiring - I had the garage rewired to multiple breakers so I could have three block heaters plugged in and still run my heater.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:24:23 pm »

We have 200 amp service in our 4-year-old house. Electrician said it's pretty standard these days.

Panel has two 100-amp circuit breakers, side by side and linked together.

Edit: But I see that the main breaker (bottom) is still labeled 200. So maybe yours is 100?

Railton · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:30:12 pm »

Quote from: mmret on March 17, 2016, 05:20:25 pm

Ok awesome. Some research I've done also corroborates the low 3k range.

As for the elec service, the house has a gas range which makes it a bit easier but is it for sure fine even with the AC, central vac etc?

Depends on what you have planned for the house Grasshopper. 100A service seems light.
I have a 200 A panel and it's pretty much full now what with the basement done, pool equipment, sump pumps, etc.. The house is 3300 sq/ft and with the basement an additional 1000. Electric range and only gas for the furnace and pool heater.
The A/C unit was installed in 2005 for around $3k. I'm sure more now.
Railton

johngenx · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:31:08 pm »

Quote from: HeliDriver on March 17, 2016, 05:24:23 pm

We have 200 amp service in our 4-year-old house. Electrician said it's pretty standard these days.

I've seen a mix in new construction. Depends on the builder. Lots of houses around here thrown up in the boom had 100. Paying Calgary prices though I'd expect 200 for sure.

johngenx · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:32:07 pm »

Quote from: Railton on March 17, 2016, 05:30:12 pm

I have a 200 A panel and it's pretty much full now what with the basement done, pool equipment, sump pumps, etc.. The house is 3300 sq/ft and with the basement an additional 1000. Electric range and only gas for the furnace and pool heater.
The A/C unit was installed in 2005 for around $3k. I'm sure more now.
Railton

Oh! Pools add a lot of load.

safristi · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:33:51 pm »

You could always forgo the Air CON...and wear a SEER SUCKER SUIT on the hot days................ $:-\$ ....

worried aboot 3 to 5K fer a/c d/c ya canna afford a HOOSE laddie

mmret · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:35:06 pm »

No pool here.

Actually per the revised floor plan it is 3300sqft including finished basement and finished attic (!). It did feel a lot bigger than 2700 so not sure what that original marketing material was all about.

100A does worry me a little bit. It feels like the builder cheaped out. Of course I automatically assume the builder will do minimal code on everything that isn't obvious and visible (kitchen cabinets look great tho!)
Should I push for a 200A upgrade in the offer? Hmm.

Gas range, gas heat, gas HWT.

Electric dryer and CAC. Probably won't install CVAC as I prefer to just have a roomba on each floor and a dustbuster.

rrocket · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:36:28 pm »

Quote from: mmret on March 17, 2016, 05:35:06 pm

No pool here.

Actually per the revised floor plan it is 3300sqft including finished basement and finished attic (!). It did feel a lot bigger than 2700 so not sure what that original marketing material was all about.

100A does worry me a little bit. It feels like the builder cheaped out. Of course I automatically assume the builder will do minimal code on everything that isn't obvious and visible (kitchen cabinets look great tho!)
Should I push for a 200A upgrade in the offer? Hmm.

Gas range, gas heat, gas HWT.

Electric dryer and CAC. Probably won't install CVAC as I prefer to just have a roomba on each floor and a dustbuster.

Could likely easily run a line for gas dryer too.

Railton · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:39:04 pm »

200A service pretty much maxed out now.
Railton

mmret · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:40:16 pm »

True, but it is 2nd floor laundry might be a little more tricky.

Railton - you sure not a grow op?

rrocket · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:43:54 pm »

Quote from: mmret on March 17, 2016, 05:40:16 pm

True, but it is 2nd floor laundry might be a little more tricky.

Railton - you sure not a grow op?

I was fine when I had my hydroponic set-up with a standard panel.

mmret · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:44:44 pm »

^ you mean with 100A?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:44:59 pm »

100A service is pretty standard for houses heated by gas or oil.

That breaker is a two pole 100A. A 200A breaker would have 200A written across the bar.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:46:44 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 17, 2016, 05:44:59 pm

100A service is pretty standard for houses heated by gas or oil.

That breaker is a two pole 100A. A 200A breaker would have 200A written across the bar.

Where have you been ? You are finally use all those years of schooling and experience to use here

rrocket · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2016, 05:49:22 pm »

Quote from: mmret on March 17, 2016, 05:44:44 pm

^ you mean with 100A?

Yea, that's all I have IIRC. Everything in my house is gas. I'll check for you though.

Running a Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic set-up doesn't use my energy either. Obviously the light took up the most at 430 watts.

You know what I have that DOES take up tons of energy? My sauna heater. 10,000 watts!!