Is All-Electric Living Possible In A Basic Summer Home?

A homeowner with a small seasonal cabin in Connecticut shares what happened when she tried to go all-electric on very limited power. Her modular home only has 30-amp electrical service, which caps out around 3,600 watts total. That's enough to run a fridge, TV, and lights together, but not much more — turning on a coffee maker while a space heater runs can trip the breaker and cut power entirely.

She swapped a propane heater for a small electric heater and fan, since her wiring couldn't support a full heat pump. For cooking, a four-burner electric stove was out of the question, so she uses a single induction burner instead, and says she's happy with how fast it heats compared to gas. Hot water comes from an existing electric water heater, but she has to plan showers ahead of time and turn the heater on and off around other appliance use to avoid overloading the circuit. Without central air, she relies on open windows, fans, and shade to get through hot days.

She'd also like to add plug-in solar — small portable panels that plug into a regular outlet to offset grid electricity — but notes that Connecticut's law allowing this doesn't take effect until October 1, 2026. If you're weighing electric upgrades for an older or seasonal home, her experience is a reminder that your home's amp service, not just the appliances themselves, often sets the real limit on what's possible.