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Load Calculations 101 for Fort Myers Small Businesses | CoHarbor Electric

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Load Calculations 101 for Fort Myers Small Businesses

If you run a small business here in Fort Myers — maybe a café on McGregor, a boutique downtown, or a busy office off Colonial — you already know how much your day depends on electricity. The lights, the air conditioning, the registers, the computers — it all has to work, every single day.

But here’s something most business owners don’t think about: your building’s electrical system can only handle so much. Every wire and breaker has a limit, and when you push that limit too far, things start to go wrong. That’s where load calculations come in.

At Coharbor Electric, we’ve helped countless local businesses figure out exactly how much electrical capacity they need — and how to plan for future growth. Getting this part right upfront saves money, downtime, and a lot of stress later.


What Is an Electrical Load Calculation?

Think of it like managing your business budget. You only have so much to spend — and if you go over, something breaks.

A load calculation tells you how much electrical power your business uses and how much your system can safely handle. It factors in every part of your operation, including:

  • Lighting – interior, exterior, signs, and security lights

  • HVAC – air conditioning and heating (a big deal in Fort Myers’ climate)

  • Appliances & Equipment – coffee makers, refrigerators, computers, and anything that plugs in

  • Electronics & POS Systems – all those devices that keep your business running

  • Future Growth – new workstations, displays, or added space down the line

Once we know your total power demand, we can compare it to your panel’s capacity and wiring to see if it’s time for upgrades or adjustments.

Load calculations ensure safe power—much like for your Fort Myers home remodel.
Get answers for property owners in our Commercial Services FAQ.


Why Load Calculations Matter for Fort Myers Businesses

1. Avoid Overloaded Circuits

When a circuit’s maxed out, breakers start tripping — or worse, wires start overheating. Both can shut your business down and pose serious safety risks.

2. Plan Ahead for Growth

Fort Myers is growing fast, and so are local businesses. Whether you’re adding a new espresso machine, expanding a kitchen, or building out a second floor, your system needs to keep up.

3. Pass Inspections Without a Hitch

Load calculations are required by the National Electrical Code (NEC). If you’re doing a remodel, build-out, or tenant improvement, inspectors will ask to see them.

4. Improve Efficiency and Cut Costs

An electrical system that’s sized right runs smoother and uses less power. That means lower utility bills and longer equipment life.

5. Protect Your Investment

Your equipment — HVAC, servers, coolers, displays — all depend on steady, clean power. A balanced electrical load helps protect everything from damage or premature failure.

When to switch in Florida—see our Upgrade to 3-Phase guide.


How We Perform a Load Calculation

When we’re called out to do a load calculation for a Fort Myers business, we go step by step:

  1. Review the Space or Plans – For new build-outs or remodels, we look at the blueprints and layout.

  2. Inventory Equipment – For existing businesses, we take note of every major appliance and device that draws power.

  3. Calculate Demand – Using NEC standards, we factor in how often and how hard each circuit is used.

  4. Check Your Panel – We compare your total load to your panel’s size — 100 amps, 150 amps, 200 amps, etc.

  5. Plan for the Future – We always include a margin for growth or seasonal demand.

  6. Provide Solutions – We’ll let you know if you need new circuits, a panel upgrade, or dedicated lines for heavy-use equipment.

Compare for Florida homes in our Choosing 150A vs 200A.


Common Issues We See Around Fort Myers

  • Restaurants & Cafés – Kitchen appliances quickly max out older panels.

  • Retail Shops – Bright lighting and AC units push small systems to their limits.

  • Medical & Dental Offices – Specialized equipment needs dedicated, properly sized circuits.

  • Professional Offices – Server rooms and computers often overload general-use circuits.

Must-know for Florida garages in our 60A Breaker for EV Charging.


Real Example: Boutique Build-Out in Downtown Fort Myers

A local boutique on First Street called us before opening their shop. The space still had its original 100-amp panel from the 1980s — fine for a small office, but not for modern retail lighting, AC, and digital POS systems.

After running the load calculation, we found they needed closer to 200 amps. We upgraded their panel, added new circuits for lighting displays, and separated HVAC loads from outlets to keep things stable.

They passed inspection on the first try, and now their system runs quietly and efficiently — no flickering lights, no tripped breakers.


When to Get a Load Calculation

You should have one done:

  • Before a build-out or major remodel

  • When adding new equipment or AC units

  • If your breakers trip often or your panel feels warm

  • As part of your commercial maintenance plan

Basically, if your business is growing or your power use has changed, it’s time to check your load.


Why Fort Myers Businesses Trust Coharbor Electric

We’re a local team that understands how Florida’s climate and building codes affect electrical systems. Our services include:

  • Load calculations and power assessments

  • Panel upgrades and circuit installations

  • Lighting and energy efficiency upgrades

  • Preventive maintenance and inspections

We handle the permitting, the coordination, and the paperwork — so you can stay focused on your business.


Final Thoughts

A proper load calculation isn’t just paperwork — it’s what keeps your business safe, efficient, and ready for growth.

Whether you’re opening a new location or trying to get more out of your current space, we can help you figure out exactly what your electrical system needs.

Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule your commercial load assessment in Fort Myers.
We’ll make sure your power is safe, efficient, and ready for whatever’s next.


SERVICE AREA

Serving Southwest Florida including: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and more...

Serving Clients Throughout SWFL
Since 2010

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.

01.

ASSESSMENT

The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.

02.

DISPATCH ELECTRICIAN

Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.

03.

REPAIR/ REPLACE/ INSTALL

Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing. 

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WHAT DO WE CHARGE?

We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for. 

31

Years of experience

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As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad. 

At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”.  If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:

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