If you’re currently gutting a kitchen in North Naperville, you’re probably neck-deep in granite samples and cabinet finishes. It’s an exciting (and expensive) spot to be in. But after years of doing the electrical for these high-end builds, I’ve noticed a pattern: people spend six figures on the stuff they can see, while the wiring behind the walls is still gasping for air.
The reality is that a lot of our beautiful, established homes around here were built when a “heavy electrical load” meant running the microwave and the blender at the same time.
Today? A luxury kitchen remodel is a different beast entirely.
The Problem with Pro-Grade Gear
We’re seeing a lot of homeowners install those massive 48-inch dual-fuel ranges or built-in steam ovens. They look incredible, but they pull an insane amount of juice. If you try to hook those up to your existing setup, you’re going to be spending your dinner parties walking to the basement to flip a tripped breaker.
And it’s not just the big stuff. Even the “small” luxuries—like those built-in Miele espresso machines or warming drawers—can pull enough power to dim the lights in the dining room if they aren’t on their own dedicated lines.
Planning for the “Invisible” Upgrade
At Cob Services, we’ve walked into too many homes where the tile is already up and the cabinets are installed, only for the homeowner to realize they don’t have enough power to actually turn on their new appliances.
If you’re moving from a standard electric stove to a high-induction cooktop, or adding two dishwashers (which is becoming the North Naperville standard), you almost certainly need a panel upgrade. Moving to a 200-amp or 400-amp service isn’t the “fun” part of a remodel, but it’s the part that makes sure your house doesn’t smell like burning plastic when you’re hosting Thanksgiving.
The Bottom Line
Before you commit to that $15k appliance package, have someone look at your breakers. It’s way cheaper to run the right wires while the studs are exposed than it is to try and fish them through custom cabinetry six months from now.
We’re locals. We’ve seen these North Naperville floor plans a thousand times. If you want a straight answer on whether your panel can handle your vision, give us a call. We’d rather help you plan it right than come in later to fix a mess.
