Do you need a 200A panel upgrade in Denver, CO for a heat pump and EV? A load-check walkthrough and quote checklist

If you are in Denver planning a heat pump and an EV charger, an electrician may tell you: "You need to upgrade to 200 amps."

Sometimes that is true. Sometimes it is an expensive default recommendation when a load calculation or a smarter plan would avoid it.

This guide helps you decide with a homeowner-friendly load check, plus a quote checklist you can use with electricians. If you want to map the sequence (heat pump now, EV later, panel only if needed), start with My Plan.

One-minute setup (do this first)

• Open My Plan and list the upgrades you want this year vs later.
• Take a photo of your main panel label (main breaker size and panel brand).
• List your big loads:
  • EV charger (planned amps),
  • electric range,
  • electric dryer,
  • water heater (gas or electric),
  • HVAC (furnace + AC today, heat pump planned).

If you want the broader roadmap, start with the electrification hub.

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Quick answer: when a 200A upgrade is often needed (and when it is not)

A 200A service upgrade is more likely when:

• you have a 60A or 100A service and you want to electrify multiple big loads,
• you plan electric resistance backup heat (large heat strips),
• you have two EVs charging at high power,
• your panel is full and there is no safe way to add circuits.

You can often avoid or delay a full service upgrade when:

• you keep gas for one big load (often space heating or water heating),
• you choose a right-sized heat pump and avoid oversized electric resistance backup,
• you use EV charging management (schedule charging, reduce charger amps, or use a load-managed charger),
• you add a subpanel or rearrange circuits safely, instead of changing the service.

Denver note: cold weather increases heating demand. If your plan relies on electric resistance backup in deep cold, the electrical load can jump. This is why the heat pump model, sizing, and backup strategy matter. Start with the heating and cooling hub if you are still deciding system type.

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What "200A upgrade" means (so you can compare quotes)

People use "panel upgrade" and "service upgrade" interchangeably. They are not the same.

A good quote states which one you are buying.

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A simple Denver-friendly load check (not a permit-grade calc)

You are not trying to out-code an electrician. You are trying to avoid a blind decision.

Step 1: list the big loads you plan to add

Use nameplates when you can. If you cannot find them, use conservative planning values.

Step 2: check your two biggest risk items

In Denver electrification plans, these often decide the outcome:

• EV charging amps, and
• electric backup heat amps.

If a heat pump plan includes large heat strips, ask why and ask what the load is. Many homes can use smaller backup or dual-fuel strategies. If you are doing dual-fuel, read Dual-fuel heat pump + furnace.

Step 3: decide if you need a professional load calculation

If you are adding more than one major electric load, get a real load calculation. It is cheaper than a wrong upgrade.

This is also the best reason to plan early. Emergency decisions turn into expensive defaults.

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Ways to avoid a 200A upgrade (common in Denver plans)

These are not hacks. They are normal planning choices.

1) Use managed EV charging

Many drivers do not need 48A charging at home. If you drive 20 to 40 miles per day, a lower-amp charger on an overnight schedule can be enough.

Ask your electrician:

• Can we set the charger to 24A or 32A and still meet my needs?
• Can we use a load-managed EV charger that throttles if other loads are high?

2) Avoid oversized electric backup heat

Backup heat is the hidden panel killer.

Ask the HVAC contractor:

• What is the backup strategy?
• What is the electrical load of the backup heat?
• Is the system sized correctly for the house after air sealing and insulation work?

If your house is drafty, start with Insulation before a heat pump. A tighter house needs less backup.

3) Electrify in a smart sequence

If you are planning heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, and an EV, doing all three at once increases peak risk and quote pressure.

Use My Plan to stage:

• envelope fixes first,
• HVAC replacement when you can choose, not when it fails,
• EV charger amperage based on your driving needs,
• panel work only when the load calculation proves you need it.

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Denver cost ranges (use as sanity checks, not promises)

Electrical work varies by house, panel condition, and service run.

If you get a high quote, ask one question: "Which part of this is required by code for my house, and which part is optional for convenience?"

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Electrician quote checklist (copy/paste questions)

Bring this to every bid.

Scope clarity

• Is this a panel swap, a service upgrade, or both?
• What is the planned service size (amps) after the work?
• What permits and inspections are included?

Load calculation

• Are you doing a load calculation? Which method?
• Can you show the assumptions for the EV charger and backup heat?
• If the load calc is close, what lower-cost alternatives did you consider?

Safety and quality

• Will you correct grounding and bonding issues if found?
• Will you label circuits and provide an updated panel schedule?
• What AFCI and GFCI changes are required for modified circuits?

Future-proofing

• If I add a heat pump water heater later, will this panel have space and capacity?
• If I add a second EV in three years, what changes would be needed?

If you want a practical checklist for the homeowner side, read Panel upgrade checklist.

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FAQ

Can I install an EV charger on a 100A panel in Denver?

Sometimes, yes. The answer depends on your other loads and charger amps. A lower-amp charger or load-managed charging can fit when a high-amp charger would not.

Does a heat pump always require a panel upgrade?

No. Many installations do not. The risk increases when you add large electric backup heat or combine multiple new electric loads without a plan.

Is it better to do the panel upgrade now "to be safe"?

Not always. It can be smart if the panel is unsafe, obsolete, or already overloaded. But if the panel is fine and the main driver is future loads, a load calculation and staged electrification plan can save you money.

What is the fastest way to avoid a panel upgrade?

Two levers move the needle fast:

• managed EV charging (lower amps, scheduled charging),
• reducing or avoiding large electric resistance backup heat.

What should I do first if I want a heat pump and an EV?

Start with planning and envelope fixes. Then decide heat pump type and backup strategy. Then select an EV charger amperage based on your driving needs. This sequence reduces the chance you buy an upgrade you did not need.

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Next steps

• Build a staged plan with My Plan.
• Read the electrification hub for a full roadmap.
• If you are getting bids, ask for a load calculation and use the checklist above before you sign.