Which Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit Installed?
A lot of the appliances in your home, like coffee makers and toasters, can share electricity with others, but not all of them. Some major appliances need their own circuit path to the electric panel. With proper wiring and breaker sizing, the isolated circuits prevent larger appliances from tripping breakers and overheating wires. In some cases, circuit breaker replacement may be necessary to meet the power demands of modern appliances. Each appliance will get all the power it needs to safely operate without causing electrical issues.
Common Appliances That Require Dedicated Circuits
Understanding which appliances in your home need their own exclusive circuit is key to keeping your home functional and safe. You might find you need to schedule a circuit breaker replacement to meet your home’s unique electrical load. Let’s walk through which appliances need an individual circuit and why.
Refrigerator
Your refrigerator runs nonstop 24/7, 365 days a year. Its high energy demand means it needs a 15- to 20-amp circuit to prevent overload. Fridges that lack a single-use circuit are significantly more likely to trip breakers or lose power, which increases the risk of spoiled food and costly repairs.
Electric Range/Oven
Electric ovens and cooktops don’t run around the clock, but they do pull a lot of power while heating up. The majority of them need a 240-volt independent circuit paired with a 40- to 50-amp breaker.
Microwave Oven
Microwaves aren’t huge appliances, but they still use a lot of power, especially the built-in or over-the-range models. To handle their quick burst of energy, they typically require a 15- or 20-amp private circuit. Trying to plug them into shared outlets with toasters or coffee makers may cause an overload that trips the breaker or shuts off power mid-use.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers use a lot of energy as they start up and complete their washing, rinsing and drying cycles. Most models require a 15-amp standalone circuit, but some that include built-in heating elements require a 20-amp. Checking the manufacturer’s specifications and electrical load will help an electrician decide which circuit size will work best in your kitchen.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals add lots of convenience to your kitchen by giving you the option to quickly grind and dispose of food waste. But when they start up, they suck a lot of energy from the electrical system, which causes them to need their own dedicated circuit. The motor size and power rating will determine whether it needs a 15- or 20-amp circuit to avoid dangerous overloads.
Washing Machine
The electric motors used in washing machines cause energy spikes as the cycles start and shift. A 120-volt circuit with a 20-amp direct-wired circuit is the standard for most modern models to keep the breaker from tripping during use. The only reason you would need a bigger circuit is if you are using a washer/dryer combo.
Clothes Dryer
Most electric dryers use a 240-volt, 30-amp unshared circuit. If you’re using a gas dryer, it likely needs a 15- or 20-amp circuit to run the motor and timer. You never want the dryer to share its circuit with other appliances because it’ll overload the system and trip the breaker. It also leads to slower drying times that can wear out the motor and increase your energy bills.
HVAC System/Furnace/Air Handler
Your heating and cooling equipment is most likely the biggest energy sucker in your whole home. From furnaces to heat pumps to air handlers, all of these setups need a 30- to 60-amp circuit with no shared load. The size of the system, combined with its voltage needs and startup load, is what helps electricians decide the right amperage. Having the correct size circuit is paramount to avoiding breaker trips and wiring damage.
Water Heater (Electric)
Your water heater pulls steady amounts of power as it heats and stores water. Most electric versions need a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit. Gas versions typically require a 15- or 20-amp circuit to power the ignition and controls. Tankless versions don’t store water, but they still draw high power when in use; some of these versions need a larger circuit, often 40 to 60 amps, depending on the model.
Window or Wall-Mounted Air Conditioners
Window or wall-mounted air conditioners aren’t nearly as powerful as central setups, but they are still power-hungry devices. Even a 5,000 BTU model will overload a shared circuit if used alongside other appliances. Most of these units need a 15- to 20-amp individual circuit to run safely and prevent the lights from dimming when the compressor kicks on.
Freezer (Standalone)
Standalone freezers are much like refrigerators in that they stay on 24/7 year-round. Because of their constant power demand, they work best when hooked to a 15- or 20-amp circuit. This ensures they can stay powered at all times without causing any breaker trips or power supply issues.
Hot Tubs/Pool Pumps
Running a pool or hot tub will consume a massive amount of electricity. Strict safety regulations apply to the majority of these setups, which operate on 240-volt, 40- to 60-amp dedicated circuits. The electrical code forbids the sharing of these circuits due to the dangers they pose.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
With a level 2 EV charger at home, you can stop depending on public chargers to keep your vehicle charged. But because it draws so much power, it needs a dedicated circuit — typically a hardwired 40- to 50-amp, 240-volt line. You don’t ever want your charger to share power because it’ll slow down the charging process and increase the risk of electrical overload.
Sump Pumps
A sump pump is a vital component of protecting your home against flooding, but you don’t want it to share a circuit with other appliances. This can lead to power loss or tripped breakers when you need it most. Most plumbers and electricians recommend a 15- or 20-amp isolated circuit to keep the pump running reliably during storms or heavy water flow.
What Happens If You Don’t Use a Dedicated Circuit?
Here’s what you can expect if you skip installing a dedicated circuit:
- Frequent circuit breaker tripping
- Appliances shutting off unexpectedly
- Increased risk of electrical fires
- Poor appliance performance
- Flickering lights during operation
- Premature appliance wear and tear
- Higher chance of electrical shock
- Increased need for electrical repairs
- Potential code violations and fines
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re adding a new water heater, refrigerator or hot tub, we make it simple to keep your home safe with fast, effective breaker replacement services. Doing it right the first time ensures you don’t have to deal with unexpected outages, costly repairs or safety hazards.
If you need help deciding which appliances need their own dedicated circuits, you need to call Mister Sparky. We’re always on time, or the repair is free. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky!