{"source":"JourneymanIQ Answer Surface","reviewed":"2026-06-22","page":"https://journeymaniq.com/tools/dwelling-load","query":"dwelling load calculator","state":null,"directAnswer":"Use a dwelling load calculator when the question is a residential service calculation under the standard dwelling method. Start with 3 VA per square foot, add the required small-appliance and laundry circuits, apply the dwelling demand factor, then add range, dryer, water heater, the larger of heat or AC, and EVSE if present. The trap is order. If you add heat and AC together or apply the 83% conductor allowance before picking the service rating, the answer moves. JourneymanIQ shows each bucket separately so you can see whether the miss was demand factor, appliance load, noncoincident load, or service-conductor step.","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/tools/dwelling-load"},{"label":"Start the diagnostic","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/diagnostic"},{"label":"See pricing","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/pricing"},{"label":"electrical load calculator","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/tools/electrical-load-calculator"},{"label":"Texas electrician calculations practice","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/states/texas/calculations-practice"},{"label":"Maryland electrician exam calculations practice","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/states/maryland/calculations-practice"}],"faqs":[{"q":"Do I add heat and AC together?","a":"No. For the dwelling calculation, use the larger of heat or AC."},{"q":"When do I apply the 83% dwelling conductor allowance?","a":"Pick the dwelling service rating first, then apply the allowance to that selected rating."}],"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://journeymaniq.com/tools/dwelling-load","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"dwelling load calculator","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use a dwelling load calculator when the question is a residential service calculation under the standard dwelling method. Start with 3 VA per square foot, add the required small-appliance and laundry circuits, apply the dwelling demand factor, then add range, dryer, water heater, the larger of heat or AC, and EVSE if present. The trap is order. If you add heat and AC together or apply the 83% conductor allowance before picking the service rating, the answer moves. JourneymanIQ shows each bucket separately so you can see whether the miss was demand factor, appliance load, noncoincident load, or service-conductor step."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I add heat and AC together?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. For the dwelling calculation, use the larger of heat or AC."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"When do I apply the 83% dwelling conductor allowance?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Pick the dwelling service rating first, then apply the allowance to that selected rating."}}]}}