Planning a kitchen remodel in Aiken, SC? While you're dreaming about new cabinets, countertops, and appliances, there's a critical element that often gets overlooked until it's too late: your electrical system. The kitchen is the most electrically demanding room in your home, and modern kitchens require significantly more power than homes built even 20 years ago.
At Unity Power & Light, we've worked on hundreds of kitchen remodels across Aiken and the surrounding areas. We've seen homeowners get surprised by electrical requirements they didn't anticipate, and we've helped others plan perfectly from the start. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about kitchen electrical planning so you can budget accurately and avoid costly surprises.
Understanding NEC Small Appliance Circuit Requirements
The National Electrical Code (NEC) has specific requirements for kitchen circuits, and they exist for good reason. Kitchens contain more electrical appliances than any other room in your home, and they're often used simultaneously. Here's what the code requires:
Minimum of Two 20-Amp Small Appliance Circuits: These dedicated 20-amp circuits must serve the countertop outlets and cannot be used for anything else. They're designed to handle the load from multiple small appliances like toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and mixers running at the same time.
These circuits use 12-gauge wire and 20-amp breakers. They must be GFCI-protected to prevent electrical shock, which is especially important in kitchens where water and electricity are in close proximity.
Many older Aiken homes have kitchens with only one 15-amp circuit serving the countertop outlets. This was acceptable decades ago, but it's woefully inadequate for modern kitchens. If your kitchen remodel involves any electrical work, bringing these circuits up to current code is essential.
Dedicated Circuits for Major Appliances
Beyond the small appliance circuits, every major kitchen appliance needs its own dedicated circuit. Here's what that typically includes:
Refrigerator: A dedicated 15 or 20-amp circuit prevents your food from spoiling if another appliance trips a shared breaker. Modern refrigerators with ice makers and water dispensers draw more power than older models.
Dishwasher: Requires a dedicated 15 or 20-amp circuit. Many modern dishwashers also have built-in garbage disposals or sanitizing cycles that increase electrical demand.
Garbage Disposal: Needs its own 15 or 20-amp circuit, separate from the dishwasher.
Microwave: Built-in or over-range microwaves require a dedicated 20-amp circuit. Many homeowners don't realize their countertop microwave should ideally be on its own circuit as well, especially high-wattage models.
Range or Cooktop and Wall Oven: Electric ranges typically require a 240-volt, 40 or 50-amp circuit. If you're switching from gas to electric or upgrading to a larger range, this is a major electrical consideration. Separate cooktops and wall ovens each need their own dedicated 240-volt circuits.
When we assess kitchen remodels in Aiken, we often find homeowners planning to upgrade from basic appliances to high-end models without considering the electrical implications. A professional-grade range, for instance, might need a 50-amp circuit instead of the 40-amp circuit your old range used.
Kitchen Island Outlet Requirements
If your kitchen remodel includes an island or peninsula, the NEC has specific outlet requirements you need to know about:
Any countertop space 24 inches or longer requires at least one outlet. For islands and peninsulas, you need at least one receptacle outlet serving the countertop. This outlet must be located within 24 inches of the countertop edge and positioned to avoid the cooking surface.
Here's where it gets tricky: these island outlets must be accessible, which means you can't just put them on the side facing the seating area if that makes them hard to reach. Many homeowners want to hide outlets for aesthetic reasons, but they still need to be functional and code-compliant.
Installing island outlets requires running wiring through the floor, which is much easier to do during a remodel when you have access to the subfloor. If you're adding an island to your Aiken kitchen, this is definitely not a DIY project. The wiring needs to be properly protected and meet local code requirements.
Lighting Circuits: Under-Cabinet, Pendant, and Recessed
Modern kitchen lighting is layered, combining task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. Each type has electrical considerations:
Under-Cabinet Lighting: LED strips or puck lights under cabinets provide essential task lighting for food prep. These typically run on a dedicated 15-amp circuit and should have a convenient switch location. Many homeowners add dimming capability, which requires compatible LED fixtures and dimmer switches.
Pendant Lighting: Popular over islands and dining areas, pendant lights need to be positioned during the rough-in phase. The junction boxes must be properly supported if the fixtures are heavy. If you want your pendants on a dimmer, that needs to be planned from the start.
Recessed Lighting: Can lights are popular in kitchens because they provide excellent ambient light without taking up visual space. However, they require adequate clearance above the ceiling. In homes with limited attic access or low ceilings, this can be challenging. IC-rated (insulation contact) fixtures are required if there's insulation above the ceiling.
For a typical kitchen remodel, lighting circuits might include one circuit for general ceiling lights and recessed fixtures, another for under-cabinet lighting, and possibly a third for pendant lights over the island. Separating these circuits gives you flexibility and prevents overloading.
GFCI Requirements for Countertop Outlets
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is required for all countertop outlets in kitchens. GFCIs detect imbalances in electrical current and shut off power within milliseconds, preventing potentially fatal electric shocks.
There are two ways to provide GFCI protection: GFCI outlets or a GFCI breaker. GFCI outlets are installed at each location and have test/reset buttons. GFCI breakers are installed in the electrical panel and protect the entire circuit.
For kitchen remodels, we typically install GFCI outlets at the first outlet in each circuit, then wire additional outlets downstream. This approach provides protection while being more cost-effective than installing GFCI outlets at every location.
One common issue in Aiken homes is homeowners who don't understand why their kitchen outlets occasionally trip. GFCI protection is sensitive by design. Older appliances with slight current leakage, or simply having too many devices plugged in on one circuit, can cause nuisance tripping. This is usually a sign that you need more circuits, not that the GFCI is defective.
When Your Kitchen Remodel Requires a Panel Upgrade
Here's the question many Aiken homeowners don't want to hear: does your electrical panel have the capacity to handle your new kitchen's electrical demands?
Most modern kitchens require 100-120 amps of dedicated electrical service when you add up all the circuits. If your home has a 100-amp or 150-amp panel that's already near capacity, adding all these new kitchen circuits might not be possible without a panel upgrade.
Signs you'll need a panel upgrade during your kitchen remodel include:
- Your current panel is full with no space for new breakers
- You have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel (known safety hazards that should be replaced regardless)
- Your panel is over 25 years old
- You're adding a high-demand electric range or multiple new appliances
- Your home has outdated wiring (knob and tube or aluminum)
Panel upgrades typically cost $1,500-$3,000 in the Aiken area, depending on whether you're upgrading from 100 to 200 amps and whether the service entrance needs updating. While this might seem like an unwelcome expense during a kitchen remodel, it's often necessary and adds significant value to your home.
The good news is that a panel upgrade done during a kitchen remodel is more cost-effective than doing it separately later. The electrician is already on-site, walls may already be open, and you can coordinate all the electrical work together.
Timeline: When Electrical Work Happens in Your Remodel
Understanding when electrical work happens during a kitchen remodel helps you plan and coordinate with other contractors:
Pre-Construction Phase: This is when you should have an electrician assess your current panel capacity and plan all new circuits. We'll create a detailed electrical plan showing outlet locations, lighting positions, and appliance circuits. This plan should be finalized before demolition begins.
Demolition Phase: Once the old kitchen is torn out, we can see existing wiring and identify any issues that need addressing.
Rough-In Phase: This is the critical electrical stage. After framing is complete but before drywall goes up, electricians run all new wiring, install junction boxes for outlets and switches, and wire for all lighting. This must be completed and inspected before walls close up. In Aiken County, electrical rough-in requires inspection.
If you're doing a panel upgrade, it happens during this phase. All the new kitchen circuits are run to the panel location.
Finishing Phase: After drywall, painting, and cabinet installation, electricians return to install outlets, switches, light fixtures, and appliances. This is when you'll see your new kitchen lighting come to life.
Final Inspection: After all electrical work is complete, a final inspection ensures everything meets code. In Aiken County, this is required before you can legally use your new kitchen.
The biggest mistake we see homeowners make is not scheduling the electrician early enough. If your electrician doesn't see the space until after drywall is up, you've missed the opportunity for optimal outlet placement, and adding circuits becomes much more expensive and invasive.
Cost Considerations for Kitchen Electrical Work
The electrical portion of a kitchen remodel in Aiken typically ranges from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the scope:
Basic Kitchen Electrical ($2,000-$3,500): Updating outlets to GFCI, adding 1-2 circuits, basic lighting installation. Suitable for small kitchens with minimal appliance upgrades.
Mid-Range Kitchen Electrical ($3,500-$6,000): Complete rewiring of kitchen circuits, dedicated appliance circuits, under-cabinet lighting, island outlets, recessed and pendant lighting. This is what most full kitchen remodels require.
Extensive Kitchen Electrical ($6,000-$8,000+): Everything in mid-range plus panel upgrade, extensive recessed lighting, high-end lighting controls or smart home integration, or dealing with complex structural issues.
These costs are in addition to appliance installation fees. While we can install appliances, the electrical rough-in and circuit work is the larger investment.
Planning Your Kitchen Electrical: Next Steps
The best time to think about electrical planning is before you finalize your kitchen design. Here's what we recommend:
- Schedule an electrical assessment before you commit to a kitchen layout. We'll evaluate your current panel, identify needed upgrades, and help you understand the electrical implications of your appliance choices.
- Create an appliance list with specific models when possible. A 30-inch standard range has different electrical requirements than a 48-inch professional range.
- Think about outlet placement carefully. Where will you use small appliances? Do you want outlets inside cabinets for charging stations? Would you like a pop-up outlet in your island?
- Consider future needs. Planning to add that built-in coffee maker later? Run the circuit now while walls are open.
- Budget for permits and inspections. These are required for kitchen electrical work in Aiken County and are for your protection.
A well-planned electrical system is invisible when everything works perfectly. You'll never worry about tripping breakers when you're cooking a holiday meal, your outlets will be exactly where you need them, and your lighting will transform your kitchen into a space you love spending time in.
At Unity Power & Light, we've been helping Aiken homeowners navigate kitchen electrical planning for years. We're veteran-owned, licensed (SC #117080), bonded, and insured, and we treat every kitchen remodel like it's in our own home. Whether you're planning a complete kitchen renovation or a smaller update, we're here to ensure your electrical system is safe, code-compliant, and perfectly suited to how you'll use your new kitchen.