6.2 Dwelling Standard Method: Appliances, Dryers, Ranges, Heating, EVSE & Neutral

The standard method step by step

The standard method (Article 120, formerly Part III of Article 220) is the default for every dwelling. Each step uses a specific rule:

Then divide the total volt-amperes by 240 V for a single-phase 120/240 V service.

Appliances fastened in place (120.53)

A 75% demand factor applies to the nameplate rating of four or more appliances rated ¼ hp or greater, or 500 W or greater, that are fastened in place and served by the same feeder or service. The factor does not apply to household cooking equipment fastened in place, clothes dryers, space heating, air conditioning, or EVSE. Typical qualifying appliances are water heaters, dishwashers, disposals, built-in microwaves, trash compactors, and attic fans. Smaller appliances, under 500 W, are excluded from the count so they are not reduced twice.

Dryers (120.54)

Each household electric dryer is taken at 5,000 W (VA) or its nameplate rating, whichever is larger. The 2026 NFPA handbook shows Table 120.54 as follows:

Where single-phase dryers are fed from a 3-phase, 4-wire feeder, the load is based on twice the maximum number connected between any two phases.

Ranges and cooking equipment (120.55)

Table 120.55 Column C gives the maximum demand for ranges rated not over 12 kW: 8 kW for one range, 11 kW for two, 14 kW for three, 17 kW for four, and 20 kW for five. The table notes adjust these values:

• Note 1: for ranges over 12 kW through 27 kW, increase the Column C value by 5% for each kW (or major fraction) over 12 kW.
• Note 2: for ranges of unequal ratings over 8¾ kW, average the ratings (counting any range under 12 kW as 12 kW), then apply Note 1.
• Note 3: for ranges, wall ovens, and cooktops over 1¾ kW through 8¾ kW, you may add the nameplate ratings and apply the Column A or Column B percentage.
• Note 4: a counter-mounted cooking unit and not more than two wall ovens in the same room on one branch circuit may be added together and treated as one range.

Example: one 14 kW range: $14 - 12 = 2$ kW over, so increase 8 kW by $2 \times 5\% = 10\%$: $8 \times 1.10 = 8.8$ kW.

Heating, air conditioning, and motors

Fixed electric space heating is taken at 100% of its connected load (120.51). Under 120.60, where two loads are unlikely to run together, such as electric heat and air conditioning, include only the larger. Section 120.50 sends motor loads to 430.24, so add 25% of the largest motor in the calculation. When the air conditioner is the larger noncoincident load, its compressor is often the largest motor.

EVSE (120.57)

Electric vehicle supply equipment is included at 7,200 W (VA) or the nameplate rating, whichever is larger. Under the 2026 NEC 120.7, a listed power control system may limit the load used in the calculation; its control setting may not exceed 80% of the rating of the monitored OCPD.

Worked example: 2,000 ft² all-electric house

Loads: 12 kW range; 5.5 kW dryer; 4.5 kW water heater; 1.2 kW dishwasher; 0.8 kW disposal; 1.5 kW built-in microwave; 10 kW electric furnace; 5 kVA air conditioner; 9.6 kW EVSE.

Service current: $44{,}025 \div 240 = 183.4$ A, so a 200 A service is required. Under the 83% rule for single-phase dwelling services (310.12 in the 2023 NEC), 200 A service conductors need an ampacity of at least $200 \times 0.83 = 166$ A: 2/0 AWG copper (175 A) or 4/0 AWG aluminum (180 A) at 75°C.

Neutral for the same house (120.61)

Include only line-to-neutral loads, with ranges and dryers at 70%:

• Lighting, small-appliance, laundry: 4,925 VA
• 120 V fixed appliances: $(1200 + 800 + 1500) \times 0.75 = 2625$ VA (the 240 V water heater has no neutral load)
• Range: $8000 \times 0.70 = 5600$ VA
• Dryer: $5500 \times 0.70 = 3850$ VA
• Heat, A/C, and EVSE: 0 VA (240 V loads)

Neutral total: $4925 + 2625 + 5600 + 3850 = 17{,}000$ VA, and $17{,}000 \div 240 = 70.8$ A.