From 3 to 36 kVA: how to choose the right electricity meter capacity for your home?

Does your circuit breaker trip if you plug in your kettle and start a washing machine at the same time? Your electricity meter capacity is probably too low. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to accurately assess your electricity needs. But if your initial estimate was incorrect, remember that you can always change your electricity meter capacity to better equip your home.

The electricity meter capacity: definition, role and how it works

Definition of electricity meter capacity (kVA)

Your electricity meter capacity, also called subscribed capacity, corresponds to the amount of electricity your installation can use at a given moment without triggering a power cut. In practical terms, an electricity meter works with a maximum power limit that must not be exceeded at any given time.

It is expressed in kilovolt-amperes (kVA) and should not be confused with electricity consumption:

• electricity consumption, expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh), measures the amount of electricity used over a period of time (hours, days, months or years);

• meter capacity, expressed in kVA, represents the maximum instantaneous power available to supply your equipment.

For example, a dishwasher may consume around 192 kWh per year, but it is its simultaneous operation with your oven, heating system, washing machine and other appliances that determines the maximum power capacity you should subscribe to (in kVA).

In other words, the higher your meter capacity, the more electrical appliances you can run at the same time without tripping your circuit breaker.

Connection capacity and subscribed capacity: what is the difference and what does it mean for your home?

To fully understand electricity meter capacity, a brief technical reminder is helpful. Before electricity reaches your home installation, it passes through the public electricity distribution network, which in France is managed by Enedis, the national distribution network operator. This operator installs and manages your electricity meter.

When your home is connected to the network, Enedis assigns a maximum connection capacity to your electricity meter. This is the maximum power the network can technically deliver to your home. However, you are not required to use this full capacity on a daily basis.

You can choose a lower subscribed capacity with your electricity supplier if it better matches your actual needs. For example, if Enedis has provided a connection capacity of 15 kVA, you may still subscribe to a 6 kVA or 9 kVA plan if this is sufficient for your usage.

However, this choice has a direct impact on both your electrical comfort and the cost of your subscription.

What electricity meter capacity should you choose depending on your home (3, 6, 9 or 12 kVA)?

Electricity meter capacities available in France

In France, electricity meter capacities offered by Enedis for residential homes are standardized. The network operator can assign several different capacities:

• 3 kVA: for apartments smaller than 50 m² that are not heated with electricity;
• 6 kVA: for homes smaller than 80 m² that rely entirely on electricity;
• 9 kVA: for homes between 80 and 100 m² that are fully electric;
• 12 kVA: for homes larger than 100 m² that are fully electric;
• 15 to 36 kVA: for properties larger than 160 m².

These standard capacities correspond to the most common residential housing configurations. Your electricity meter capacity therefore depends on several factors:

• the size of your home;
• your actual electricity usage;
• the appliances that may operate simultaneously.

To better understand what each capacity level means in practice, the following table summarizes the relationship between power capacity, typical usage and home size.

Remember that the goal is not to choose the highest possible capacity, but the one that best matches your equipment and habits. This helps you avoid circuit breaker trips and power cuts while keeping your subscription cost under control.

What meter capacity should you choose for a home without electric heating?

For a studio or apartment without electric heating, equipped with standard household appliances (refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, washing machine or dishwasher), choose a capacity between 3 and 6 kVA.

In a small and lightly equipped home, 3 kVA may be sufficient, provided you avoid using several energy-intensive appliances at the same time. Choosing 6 kVA generally provides more everyday comfort.

Practical example: imagine a 40 m² apartment occupied by one person working full-time from home in a building heated with gas. The apartment is equipped with:

• a refrigerator,

• cooktops,

• an oven,

• a microwave,

• a washer-dryer,

• a television,

• a desktop computer.

Even if high-consumption appliances rarely operate simultaneously, 6 kVA is recommended for better everyday comfort.

What electricity meter capacity for a home with electric heating?

If your home is equipped with electric radiators and an electric water heater, a capacity of 6 to 9 kVA is generally recommended. These two systems require significant power, especially in winter, and a lower capacity may be insufficient. As a result, you could experience power cuts as soon as several appliances are used at the same time.

Example: in a 70 m² apartment with average insulation and electric heating (including domestic hot water), choosing a 9 kVA subscription will be preferable so that you can use heating, the oven, the washing machine and everyday electrical devices (TV, computer, internet box) simultaneously.

What electricity meter capacity for a heat pump or a fully electric house?

In a fully electric house equipped with a heat pump, a higher electricity meter capacity is necessary: at least 9 kVA, which is generally considered the minimum capacity for a heat pump.

Example: a 100 m² house, heated with electricity but well insulated, with an electric water heater and a full set of household appliances, will typically require 9 kVA so several high-consumption appliances can operate simultaneously (heating, cooking, dishwasher).

For homes larger than 100 m², a capacity of 12 kVA is often required.

Planning to install an electric vehicle charging station? Even without a heat pump, increasing your subscribed capacity may be recommended so you can use your appliances without worrying about power cuts.

How to estimate the ideal electricity meter capacity based on your usage

Add up the power of appliances that may operate simultaneously

To estimate the ideal electricity meter capacity for your home—sufficient for your needs without being oversized, the principle is simple: add together the power of the appliances likely to run at the same time. This is known as the simultaneity principle.

For example, there is no need to add together the power of an oven and a dishwasher if you never use them at the same time. However, certain appliances require special attention because they consume a large amount of power and place significant demand on your electrical system. This is particularly the case for your electric heating system and electric water heater, as well as major household appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and cooktops. These are generally the appliances that determine the necessary power capacity in a household.

If you do not feel comfortable calculating these estimates yourself, do not worry: your electricity supplier can help. When you subscribe to an electricity contract with ENGIE by phone, an advisor can help you estimate the capacity best suited to your equipment and consumption habits.

Where to find your current electricity meter capacity (bill, Linky meter)?

To find out your current electricity meter capacity, several solutions are available. The easiest is to check your electricity bill, where the subscribed capacity is clearly indicated in kVA.

You can also access this information directly on your meter. On a Linky meter, the smart electricity meter widely deployed in France you simply scroll through the display menu until you reach the screen showing “puissance souscrite” (subscribed capacity).

If you still have a mechanical meter, the capacity is not displayed in kVA. In that case, look for the amperage indicated (15, 30, 45 A, etc.) and divide it by 5 to obtain an approximate equivalent in kVA.

What happens if your electricity meter capacity is not suitable?

Insufficient meter capacity: what are the risks?

Choosing the right electricity meter capacity is essential for two reasons:

• to avoid overloads in your internal electrical installation;
• to reduce your electricity bill.

A capacity that is too low meaning insufficient to meet your real-time needs will inevitably cause frequent power cuts. These situations can affect your everyday electrical comfort.

Meter capacity that is too high: what impact on your bill?

Conversely, an excessively high capacity will increase the cost of your electricity bill. The higher the subscribed capacity with your supplier, the higher the subscription price. Choosing a higher capacity than necessary would therefore be unnecessary if a lower capacity already covers your needs.

How to change your electricity meter capacity (Linky, steps, cost)?

The procedure depends on the type of meter installed and may involve a cost.

Changing your electricity meter capacity with Linky

As long as your current subscription has not reached the maximum connection capacity granted by Enedis, you can request a change to your meter capacity. The process is simple: contact your electricity supplier, who will then forward the request to the network operator, the only entity authorized to modify residential electricity meters.

If your home is equipped with a Linky smart meter, the operation is quick. The subscribed capacity can be changed remotely, without a technician visiting your home. In most cases, the new setting is applied within 24 hours.

Cost, timelines and steps to modify your subscribed capacity

Changing your meter capacity involves a fee defined in the Enedis service catalogue, and the price is the same regardless of your electricity supplier. In 2026, a remote capacity change on a communicating Linky meter costs €4.28 including tax. A capacity change requiring adjustment of the circuit breaker (or on a traditional meter) costs €43.57 including tax. This amount is automatically added to your electricity bill, in addition to any change in the subscription price linked to the new capacity.

Before submitting your request, make sure the new capacity truly matches your usage.

Finally, for a remote capacity change on a Linky meter, the standard processing time is generally around 24 hours. For operations requiring a technician visit (circuit breaker change, single-phase to three-phase switch, traditional meter), the standard timeframe is 5 to 10 working days, or longer during busy periods.

Explore the French version of this article