Electrical upgrade

MTH, Check with your super where the new wiring would run (typically existing conduit) if the building has enough power to upgrade you. Your electrician can easily analyze this with the super. If the upgrade is feasible within the conduits available, board shouldn't have any issue as 30amp is indeed too small.

Yeah you likely won't get board pushback to upgrade your electric amperage to modern standards. That said, be prepared to pay quite a bit, especially if you are on a higher floor and power needs to be brought up from the basement. But indeed, 30 amps is WAY under par for modern living and it is a no-brainer that this needs upgrading.

@300_Mercer - I'm kind of amazed the previous owner lived there for a few years without making any changes - I mean none. I don't think it was a pied a terre, either. Anyway, thanks for your advice. Apparently we are still down a super. The last one hurt himself and now I guess they're looking for another.

@pinecone - I'm only on the second floor. The electricals are in the basement. I'd like to increase the load to 100A if possible, mainly for kitchen appliances. The biggest item on my wish list is an electric oven. The studio already has a big a/c unit. And it would be great to be able to run an electric pressure cooker or air fryer while using the oven. I'm just worried the board will say no. I don't know why they would but apparently it is not uncommon.

Maybe this is a good bet if they say no to upgrade. It says it runs on 120V. https://www.bosch-home.com/us/en/mkt-product/cooking-baking/wall-ovens/speed-ovens/HMC54151UC

If you're wanting an electric oven, consider also an induction top, perhaps in a combo rangetop / oven unit. This may require a larger circuit, as they can be a bit power hungry, but is well worth investing in if you're doing much cooking. (My Frigidaire induction top has it's own 30a/240v circuit, and my older (8 yrs?) Bosch wall-mount electric oven is on it's own 50a/240v circuit. It's a great unit, but a bit slow to get up to temperature, unless you select the 'speed preheat' option. Definitely get a good electrician involved for this sort of work (may require permits).

if your apartment has a separate electric meter in the basement it would be very expensive to run a new wire from the basement. Probably in excess ten thousand dollars for a new wire from the basement. However if the electricity cost is included in the maintenance, you are probably sharing wire from the basement with other nearby apartments and the building may agree to increase the amps coming into your apartment at minimal cost. In addition to the cost of the new wire from the basement you will need a new electrical box in the apartment and new wires to each new electrical appliances in accordance with the City building code.

@Aaron Thanks! I'll look at those. I love my little induction hotplate but it it hungry.

@value No, each unit pays its own electricity. For that reason maybe a gas cooktop and an electric oven would work. The apt already has a 10,000 btu a/c unit. The idea is to be able to run those and one or two kitchen gadgets - air fryer, Instant pot

The 10K is probably worth it to me, tbh, if the building has spare capacity. It'll get used. And it probably adds value to the apt. I was going to install a new box anyway.

"And it probably adds value to the apt."

Done to code, I'd agree with this. A future buyer would be very happy to not deal with electrical, even if they were doing other renovation work. Just as some co-ops used to require plumbing renovation 'back to the risers' if you were touching a bathroom or kitchen, I could see them requiring new electric service 'back to the meter' if you're touching anything electrical (free 'shock' joke opportunity for the taking...).

>>>@pinecone - I'm only on the second floor. The electricals are in the basement. I'd like to increase the load to 100A if possible, mainly for kitchen appliances. The biggest item on my wish list is an electric oven. The studio already has a big a/c unit. And it would be great to be able to run an electric pressure cooker or air fryer while using the oven. I'm just worried the board will say no. I don't know why they would but apparently it is not uncommon.<<<

If you haven't already, check to be sure your building will allow an electric range. Some older buildings don't (my co-op does not, though that may change down the road). All this said, 100amps is an entirely reasonable request for an individual modern apartment (whether or not they allow you the electric oven).

@pinecone - Interesting! What is the objection to electric ovens? I'd hate to get a gas oven only to discover a few years later that I had to disponse of it and get a new electric one to comply with LL97.

Never heard of this brand apparently compact wall gas ovens exist: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empava-24-in-Single-Gas-Wall-Oven-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Convection-and-Knob-Controls-EMP-24WO08/317012689

@MTH: If you're space constrained in the kitchen, why bother with separate cooktops and ovens? I'd rather have the oven under the cooktop and free up space above counter height for storage, and avoid burrowing around cabinets under the cooktop (becuase I spend more time removing/replacing things from cabinets than I do taking things in/out of ovens). Your mileage may vary. Also, as a regular cook, I would advise to not get a gas oven - I find electric far better for temperature stability.

@Aaron2 - Good question but I was thinking of getting a two burner cooktop. Can't remember the last time I needed more than two burners at a time. That frees up space for food prep. re electric: defintely prefer an electric oven. It's so much more accurate, esp for baking. Perfect kitchen for me would be two burners - gas or induction - and a 24'' convention oven. Someone suggested a convection/steam oven - never heard of that before. It largely depends on the building and what they'll allow and what the building can handle. If one apt goes electric, everyone has to be able to.