NEC 2026 · STANDARD METHOD
Residential load calculator
One dwelling. 120/240 V, single phase. Enter what’s present; we’ll do the math.
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General load
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category.
Dwelling floor area is measured using outside dimensions. The 2026 rule includes attached garages and excludes open porches, detached garages and unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time.
Dwelling floor area is measured using outside dimensions. The 2026 rule includes attached garages and excludes open porches, detached garages and unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. Dwelling general-purpose branch-circuit counts use 3 VA per square foot. That circuit-count calculation is separate from the 2 VA per square foot feeder/service calculation used here.
Include 1,500 VA for each applicable two-wire small-appliance circuit. This allowance may be included with the general lighting load and its permitted demand factor. Dwellings normally need at least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits. Their circuit count supplies the separate 1,500 VA-per-circuit load allowance.
Include at least 1,500 VA for each installed, applicable two-wire laundry circuit. If none is installed and a qualifying exception removes the circuit requirement, this allowance can be zero. It does not replace the electric-dryer load. A 20 A branch circuit supplies the laundry receptacle outlets required by 210.52(F). When a qualifying exception removes that receptacle requirement and no laundry circuit is installed, the circuit allowance can be zero. Laundry receptacles are normally required in the area designated for laundry equipment. Qualifying exceptions can remove this requirement, such as an individual multifamily unit with shared laundry available to all occupants. A studio label or an absent washer alone does not establish eligibility.
Normal starting circuit counts are prefilled. Verify them for your house. Leave absent equipment out, or set its quantity to 0.
Equipment by room
Open a room and add only what’s installed. Use actual electrical ratings. Check motor details for every motor-containing appliance.
KitchenAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
Bath / laundryAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
GarageAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
Utility / HVACAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
OutdoorAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
BasementAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.
OtherAdd equipment
The standard method builds a feeder or service load from the applicable lighting, receptacle, appliance and other loads, using only the demand factors permitted for each category. Dwelling general lighting and covered general-use receptacles use a minimum of 2 VA per square foot for the feeder/service calculation. Equipment already covered by that allowance is not added a second time. These sections apply equipment-specific rules to motors, heating, fixed appliances, dryers, cooking equipment and EV charging. Each load belongs in its applicable category and is counted only once.