Dedicated Circuits in Fort Myers Homes: Where You Need Them

If you’ve ever flipped a breaker and wondered why half your kitchen went dark, there’s a good chance you’re missing a dedicated circuit or two. It’s one of those things homeowners don’t usually think about until something starts tripping or buzzing — but dedicated circuits are one of the most important parts of keeping your home safe and your power running smoothly.

We’ve worked on hundreds of homes across Fort Myers, and it’s the same story almost every time: someone adds a new appliance, installs a pool heater, or upgrades their kitchen, and suddenly the old wiring can’t keep up. That’s when the breakers start popping, the lights flicker, and we get the call.

So, let’s talk about what dedicated circuits are, why they matter, and where you absolutely need them in your home.

What a Dedicated Circuit Actually Is

When we say “dedicated circuit,” all we mean is that the circuit powers one specific appliance or area — and nothing else. It’s got its own breaker in the panel, its own wire run, and doesn’t share with any other outlets or lights.

Think of it like a private lane on the highway. There’s no traffic jam because it’s not sharing the load. Everything runs cleaner and safer that way.

If your fridge, dryer, or AC is sharing a circuit with something else, that’s where problems start. Too much draw on one line causes heat buildup in the wiring and can eventually lead to a fire.

Why Dedicated Circuits Matter in Fort Myers Homes

Down here in Southwest Florida, we see a lot of homes that were built in the 70s and 80s — solid homes, but designed for simpler times. Back then, most folks didn’t have high-efficiency washers, double ovens, or big outdoor kitchens. The electrical panels were smaller, the circuits were fewer, and power demands were way lighter.

Fast-forward to today, and nearly every home we visit has outgrown its electrical system. Between air conditioning, pool pumps, electric water heaters, and all the gadgets we plug in, the strain on old circuits adds up fast.

Dedicated circuits solve that problem. They isolate the big power users so they don’t pull from shared lines. That keeps everything running safely — and your breakers from tripping every other week.

Where You Need Dedicated Circuits

Let’s go room by room.

1. Kitchen

If there’s one place that needs more dedicated circuits than anywhere else, it’s the kitchen. We joke that kitchens are where good electricians earn their keep.

Here’s what we typically install dedicated lines for:

• Refrigerator

• Microwave

• Dishwasher

• Garbage disposal

• Electric range or cooktop (240V)

• Wall oven (240V)

• Countertop appliance circuits (usually two 20-amp lines for small appliances like toasters, coffee makers, and mixers)

Modern code actually requires most of these to have their own circuits, but even in older homes, we recommend adding them during remodels. It’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make.

2. Laundry Room

A standard washer and electric dryer combo can pull a lot of current. Dryers especially — they need 240 volts and a dedicated 30-amp line. Gas dryers pull less power but still need their own 120V circuit.

We’ve seen homeowners plug extra outlets into laundry room circuits “just to add a light or freezer,” and that’s how trouble starts. If your lights dim when the dryer starts, it’s time to separate those loads.

3. HVAC and Water Heaters

Your air conditioning system should always be on a dedicated circuit. The same goes for the air handler, heat pump, and condenser outside. In Florida, those units run almost year-round — they deserve their own power source.

Same story with electric water heaters or tankless units. We’ve installed plenty of those around Fort Myers, and every one of them needs its own properly sized breaker and wire gauge.

4. Bathroom Circuits

Bathrooms are a bit tricky because of moisture. Every outlet must be GFCI-protected, and large power users like heated mirrors, towel warmers, or electric bidets (yep, we’ve wired a few of those) need their own lines.

If your vanity lights and outlets are sharing the same circuit, that’s usually fine — unless you’ve got a high-wattage hair dryer or curling iron. In that case, a separate 20-amp circuit makes a world of difference.

5. Garage and Workshop

We love working on garage projects because that’s where folks get creative — EV chargers, air compressors, refrigerators, chest freezers, and big power tools. Each of those can pull more than a standard 15-amp shared line can handle.

If you’re using power tools or running multiple appliances out there, you’ll want several dedicated 20-amp circuits — or even a subpanel, depending on what’s installed.

6. Outdoor Power and Pool Equipment

Fort Myers weather means a lot of us spend time outdoors, and that usually means electrical systems that live in the heat, humidity, and rain. Pool pumps, heaters, outdoor lighting, and dock power setups all need dedicated circuits.

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve found a pool pump tied into a lighting circuit — it works for a while, but it’s not safe. Everything outside should be properly grounded, GFCI-protected, and rated for wet locations.

7. Home Offices and Entertainment Systems

With more people working from home, we’re seeing an increase in overloaded office setups. Computers, printers, monitors, and routers may not seem like much, but together they can max out a shared circuit.

We’ve also seen home theater systems and large TVs tied into lighting circuits — another recipe for flicker and nuisance trips. A dedicated 20-amp circuit for your office or entertainment area keeps everything stable.

What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough Dedicated Circuits

You’ll usually notice the signs before something serious happens:

• Breakers tripping when you run multiple appliances.

• Lights flickering when a big device starts up.

• Warm outlets or breaker panels.

• A faint buzzing sound near switches or receptacles.

Those are all red flags. They mean the circuit’s carrying more than it should. Over time, that heat wears down insulation and weakens connections. Eventually, it can arc — and that’s when you’ve got a real hazard.

How We Handle It at Coharbor Electric

When we come out to a home in Fort Myers, the first thing we do is a load assessment. We’ll take a look at your main panel, check your amperage capacity, and see what’s actually drawing power on each line.

If you’re short on dedicated circuits, we’ll figure out the best way to add them — safely and cleanly. Sometimes that means upgrading to a 200-amp panel. Other times, we can free up space by adding a subpanel or combining low-load circuits.

We don’t believe in quick fixes or guesswork. Every line we run is sized properly for the load, grounded, and labeled. And when we’re done, we make sure the inspector signs off the first time.

Why It Matters

Adding or upgrading dedicated circuits isn’t just about preventing trips — it’s about keeping your home and family safe. Florida homes deal with extra stress from humidity, salt air, and storms, and all of that takes a toll on wiring.

When circuits are overloaded, even a small surge can do serious damage. Dedicated lines isolate those risks and keep high-demand equipment running the way it should.

Ready to Check Your Circuits?

If you’ve been noticing tripped breakers, flickering lights, or outlets that get warm to the touch, it’s time to take a look at your electrical setup.

Give Coharbor Electric a call. We’ll walk you through your panel, identify where you need dedicated circuits, and make sure your wiring meets code — not just on paper, but in the real world.

📞 Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule an electrical inspection or circuit upgrade.
We’ll make sure your Fort Myers home is safe, efficient, and ready for everything you plug in.