Most people just start their washers, run their refrigerators, and fire up their stoves without thinking about how different each appliance is from a television, a radio, or a computer.
Yet each appliance has its own motor, and draws much more power than smaller equipment ever will. Plugging a big appliance into a standard outlet puts a major strain on your electrical system.
A dedicated appliance circuit may be the solution, because it serves one appliance. In a perfect world you’d probably have one dedicated circuit for your fridge, one for your washer, one for your dryer, one for your stove, and one for any other major appliance in your home that has its own motor. If one appliance’s circuit breaker trips, only that appliance will shut down. You avoid having all your eggs in one basket, or overloading an outlet from heavy use, which can cause a fire.
Which appliances need dedicated circuits?
All major appliances require a dedicated circuit. Here’s a short list of the most common appliances that require them:
- Freezers
- Refrigerators
- Hot Water Heaters
- Hot Tubs
- Dishwasher
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- HVAC Systems
A washer/dryer or dishwasher hookup needs to be done by a professional electrician to ensure optimal wiring and fire safety. Improper washer hookups can result in costly leaks or sparks that are often not covered by home insurance policies. Scarier still are botched dryer hookups that can cause devastating fires.
The experienced electricians at Promise Electric know how to connect your dishwasher and washer/dryers to make sure you never have to experience these situations. We recommend having these appliances inspected annually to ensure you don’t end up with water all over your kitchen or laundry room!