ELECTRICAL
5 min read
Check your panel before adding a heat pump or EV charger
Heat pumps, EV chargers, induction ranges, and heat pump water heaters all draw on the same panel. Knowing its capacity first helps you plan.
What panel capacity means
Your panel and utility service are rated in amps, commonly 100 or 200 in homes, and less in some older ones. Every large appliance you add uses part of that capacity.
How to find your rating
The main breaker, usually at the top of the panel, is labeled with its amperage. The label inside the panel door also lists the rating.
Load calculation
A load calculation adds up existing and planned equipment to show whether the panel can support everything. It’s the basis for deciding whether an upgrade is needed.
Options besides a bigger panel
- Load-management devices that keep large loads from running at the same time
- Circuit sharing for an EV charger and another large appliance
- Choosing equipment that draws less current
Plan upgrades together
If you expect to add several electric appliances over the next few years, planning them in one assessment avoids doing electrical work twice.