Is 60 Amp Service Enough for a House in Victoria?

For most houses in 2026, 60 amp service is not enough once you add a heat pump, an EV charger or an electric range. At 240 volts, 60 amps is 14,400 watts, a basic load the Canadian Electrical Code uses for dwellings under 80 m2. Homes of 80 m2 or more use 24,000 watts, about 100 amps.

What does 60 amp service mean for a house?

Service size is the maximum current the house can draw from the BC Hydro supply. The Canadian Electrical Code (26th edition, 2024) has more than one way to calculate a single dwelling's load. One method sets a basic load of 24,000 watts if the floor area is 80 m2 or more and 14,400 watts if it is less. At 240 volts, those work out to about 100 amps and 60 amps. That is our arithmetic, not a quoted code rule, and an electrician's own calculation for your house decides the actual requirement.

You can usually identify a 60 amp service by the main fuse or breaker rating in the panel. If your house has fuses or old wiring, read our older home electrical inspection checklist.

Is 60 amp service enough in 2026?

It can carry a small home with gas heat, gas cooking and few big appliances. It leaves little room once you add large loads. A Canadian insurance broker writes that modern homes typically require 100 or 200 amp service to support demands like air conditioning or EV chargers, and that 60 amp panels are vulnerable to overload.

Load you want to add	What to ask first
Heat pump	Does the service have room? See electrical upgrades for a heat pump
EV charger	Can load management avoid an upgrade? See do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger
Induction or electric range	A load calculation adds the range to the total
Secondary suite	Will the combined load of both homes fit? A load calculation covers it
Hot tub, workshop, second dryer	Each adds a dedicated circuit

What does a load calculation include?

The guide to the Canadian Electrical Code describes a method that starts from a basic load of 5,000 watts and adds other loads with various demand factors. An electrician applies it to your actual house, counting heating, appliances and any planned additions such as a heat pump or an EV charger. The result is compared with the service size.

What are the signs a 60 amp service is struggling?

Frequent tripped breakers, lights that dim when a big appliance starts, or a panel with no spare spaces are common warning signs. Our guide on why breakers trip and when to call an electrician explains which ones you can ignore and which need a service call.

How do I know if my 60 amp service can handle the extra load?

An electrician runs a load calculation. BC Hydro's own guidance for chargers says to have an electrician review your past 12 months of meter data to assess spare capacity. A calculation is the only reliable answer, and homeowners should not guess at a breaker or wire size.

Can I keep my 60 amp service?

Sometimes. If you are not adding large loads, a load calculation shows the existing circuits are not overloaded, and your insurer accepts the service, staying at 60 amps can be reasonable. Do not make that call by feel. Ask an electrician for the calculation and keep it with your house records, so you can show it to an insurer or a buyer.

What are my options if 60 amps is not enough?

Load management. For EV charging, the code recognizes EV energy management systems, and when they control the charger its demand does not have to be counted in the calculated load. That does not help with a heat pump or suite.
Upgrade to 100 amps. More capacity than 60 amps, with less headroom for future loads than 200 amps.
Upgrade to 200 amps. Gives room for a heat pump, EV charger and suite. See panel upgrade cost in Victoria BC for published BC ranges and the BC Hydro steps.

Technical Safety BC's bulletin for upgrading single-dwelling systems says that service or panel upgrades must meet current grounding and bonding requirements, with receptacles bonded to ground and GFCI protection on exterior and bathroom receptacles, and AFCI protection on added receptacles. The bulletin dates from 2010, so confirm current rules with your electrician, but plan for an upgrade to trigger some wiring work beyond the panel itself.

Will my insurer care?

It may. The broker above lists 60 amp service among electrical features that insurers examine on older homes, along with fuse panels and knob and tube wiring. Requirements vary by insurer, so ask yours.

Who does the work?

A licensed electrical contractor. BC Hydro's Express Connect process handles the connection side: the contractor submits a declaration, the permit number is supplied, the customer approves charges, and BC Hydro energizes the service. ACAP Electric works under Technical Safety BC licence LEL0211899. See our panel upgrade service and contact us for a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

How many watts is a 60 amp service?

At 240 volts, 60 amps is 14,400 watts. That matches the small-dwelling basic load of 14,400 watts in one of the Canadian Electrical Code's calculation methods. This is our arithmetic, and your electrician's calculation decides.

Can I add a heat pump to a 60 amp house?

Possibly, but a load calculation comes first, since a heat pump is a significant new load. See our heat pump electrical upgrade guide.

Do I need to upgrade from 60 amps to 100 or 200?

If your calculated load fits within 60 amps and your insurer accepts it, you may not. If you are adding large loads, 200 amps gives the most room. The right size comes from a load calculation.

Does BC Hydro have to do the upgrade?

BC Hydro handles the utility connection through Express Connect, while a licensed electrical contractor does the on-site work and permit.

Will an EV charger work on a 60 amp service?

Possibly, if an EV energy management system limits the charger. The Canadian Electrical Code does not count the charger's demand in the calculated load when such a system controls it. An electrician must confirm.

Sources

Last verified October 8, 2026. Rebates, codes and prices change; confirm with the program or Technical Safety BC before you rely on them.