{"source":"JourneymanIQ Answer Surface","reviewed":"2026-07-02","page":"https://journeymaniq.com/resources/nec-220-dwelling-load-calculations","query":"NEC dwelling load calculation","state":null,"directAnswer":"A dwelling load calculation starts with 3 VA per square foot, then adds the required small-appliance and laundry circuits, applies the dwelling demand factor, and adds major appliances. Range and dryer loads follow their own rules, so do not guess from raw nameplate numbers without checking the table or minimum. For heat and air conditioning, use the larger load, not both. JourneymanIQ teaches the bucket order first, lets you check arithmetic in the free dwelling load calculator, and sends misses into focused drills after the diagnostic.","officialFacts":[{"label":"States covered","value":"5 states"},{"label":"States","value":"Texas, California, Michigan, Washington, Maryland"},{"label":"Approach","value":"State-aware diagnostic, then NEC sections in priority order"}],"officialSources":[{"label":"JourneymanIQ Exam Knowledge Graph (per-state sources)","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/ai/states"}],"whyRelevant":["15-minute diagnostic that maps your weak NEC sections","Weak sections returned in priority order","Original practice questions tied to NEC articles","Free electrician calculators for voltage drop, wire size, ampacity, fill, load, and transformer math","30-day plan built around your gaps","State-aware: questions and exam facts match your state"],"internalLinks":[{"label":"Home","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/resources/nec-220-dwelling-load-calculations"},{"label":"Start the diagnostic","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/diagnostic"},{"label":"See pricing","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/pricing"},{"label":"dwelling load calculator","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/tools/dwelling-load"},{"label":"electrical load calculator","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/tools/electrical-load-calculator"},{"label":"branch circuit vs feeder","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/resources/branch-circuit-vs-feeder"}],"faqs":[{"q":"Do I add heat and AC together?","a":"No. Use the larger noncoincident load for dwelling calculations unless the question gives a special condition."},{"q":"What is the first step in dwelling load?","a":"Start with the general lighting load at 3 VA per square foot, then add required small-appliance and laundry circuits."}],"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/resources/nec-220-dwelling-load-calculations","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"NEC dwelling load calculation","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A dwelling load calculation starts with 3 VA per square foot, then adds the required small-appliance and laundry circuits, applies the dwelling demand factor, and adds major appliances. Range and dryer loads follow their own rules, so do not guess from raw nameplate numbers without checking the table or minimum. For heat and air conditioning, use the larger load, not both. JourneymanIQ teaches the bucket order first, lets you check arithmetic in the free dwelling load calculator, and sends misses into focused drills after the diagnostic."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I add heat and AC together?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Use the larger noncoincident load for dwelling calculations unless the question gives a special condition."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the first step in dwelling load?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Start with the general lighting load at 3 VA per square foot, then add required small-appliance and laundry circuits."}}]}}