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2026 NEC Residential Load Calculation, Article 120, Part III

Step 1: General Lighting and Receptacles

Refer to NEC 120.41, 120.52(A) and 120.52(B)

QTY
DESCRIPTION
VA
TOTAL
Area in Square Feet
2
5000

Minimum: 2 Circuits

Small Appliance Circuits
1,500
3000

Minimum: 1 Circuit

Laundry Circuit(s)
1,500
1500
Connected Load
9500

Step 2: Fixed in Place Appliances

Refer to NEC 120.53

QTY
DESCRIPTION
VA
TOTAL
1300
1500
672
550
0
0
0
Connected Load
4450

Step 3: Clothes Dryers

Refer to NEC 120.54

QTY
DESCRIPTION
VA
TOTAL

...shall be the nameplate rating if available or 5000 watts (volt-amperes), whichever is larger...

5000

...shall be the nameplate rating if available or 5000 watts (volt-amperes), whichever is larger...

0

...shall be the nameplate rating if available or 5000 watts (volt-amperes), whichever is larger...

0

...shall be the nameplate rating if available or 5000 watts (volt-amperes), whichever is larger...

0
Connected Load
5000

Step 4: Electric Ranges (NEW)

Refer to NEC Table 120.55

QTY
DESCRIPTION
VA
TOTAL
1300
1500
672
550
0
0
0
Connected Load
4450

Step 5: HVAC

Refer to NEC 120.6, 120.11(A) and 120.50

Pay close attention to which loads are only for heating, or only for cooling. Some are used for BOTH, so they should be included in the load calculation.

QTY
DESCRIPTION
TYPE
VA
TOTAL
5760
1200
15000
1200
Connected Load
8000

Step 6: Electric Vehicle (EVSE)

Refer to 120.57

The full rating of the installed equipment, or a minimum of 7,200 VA, should be included in the calculation for EACH new home because electric cars are becoming more common, but I don't think it is the intent of the code for include this load if an EVSE will NOT be installed.

QTY
DESCRIPTION
VA
TOTAL
7200
0
Connected Load
7200

Step 7: Largest Motor Adjustment

Refer to 120.11(A) and 120.50

The intent of the code is to add 25% of the largest motor to the sum of the load calculation. This is a number that may be hard to find, especially before a home is built. I would choose the VA value of the the largest equipment that INCLUDES a motor and put it into this spot if you don't actually know which motor is the "largest".

DESCRIPTION
VA

The largest motor in my house is the compressor in my AC unit. The compressor has a 17.9 Amp motor. So, 17.9 Amps X 240 Volts = 4296 VA.

MULTIPLIER
TOTAL
0.25
1000

Summary

1: General Lighting and Receptacles (Refer to NEC 120.41, Table 120.45, 120.52(A), and 120.52(B))

2: Fixed in Place Appliances (Refer to NEC 120.53)

3: Clothes Dryers (Refer to NEC Table 120.54)

4: Electric Ranges (Refer to NEC Table 120.55)

5: HVAC (Refer to 120.6, 120.11(A) and 120.50)

6: Electric Vehicle Equipment (EVSE) (Refer to NEC 120.57)

7: Largest Motor Adjustment: (Refer to NEC 120.11(A) and 120.50)

Grand Totals & Service Calculation: