Do you need a panel upgrade for a heat pump or EV charger? A checklist

If you ask about a heat pump or EV charger, you will hear this line fast: "You need a 200 amp panel."

Sometimes that is true. Often it is not.

This guide helps you separate three different projects that get lumped together, and gives you a homeowner-safe checklist to figure out what you should ask an electrician before you spend thousands.

Safety note

Electric panels can kill you. Do not remove the panel cover unless you are trained and equipped. Everything below is designed to be checked from labels, your utility bill, and photos taken from a safe distance. For final answers, get a licensed electrician to run a load calculation.

One-minute setup (do this first)

• Open My Plan and list the upgrades you want in the next 3 to 5 years (heat pump, EV, induction, water heater, dryer).
• Write down which ones are "must-do soon" vs "nice later."
• Keep the list; it is what your electrician needs.

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Quick answer: the situations that usually require an upgrade

You are more likely to need a service or panel upgrade if:

• You have fuses (not breakers).
• Your main service is 60 or 100 amps and you want to add multiple large electric loads.
• Your panel is full and has no space for the circuits you need.
• You already trip breakers under normal use.
• You have clear safety issues: overheating, corrosion, buzzing, or burnt smells.

You are less likely to need an upgrade if:

• You have 150 or 200 amp service with open breaker spaces.
• You can charge an EV at a lower rate (Level 1 or a dialed-down Level 2).
• You pick high-efficiency electrification options (heat pump water heater, heat pump dryer).
• You use load management to prevent peak overlap.

The truth is simple: you do not need "200 amps" as a lifestyle brand. You need enough capacity for the loads you will run at the same time, with safety margin.

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Three projects people confuse

When someone says "panel upgrade," clarify which one they mean.

1) Panel replacement (same service size)

You replace the panel box and breakers, but keep the same service size from the utility.

Reasons this happens:

• the panel is unsafe or damaged,
• the panel is full,
• you need more circuit spaces.

2) Service upgrade (higher amps from the utility)

This can include:

• a larger meter base,
• new service conductors,
• a new main disconnect,
• panel replacement,
• utility coordination and inspection.

This is what people usually mean by "going from 100 amps to 200 amps."

3) Load management (avoid upgrading by controlling overlap)

A load management device can limit EV charging or other loads when the house is already using a lot of power, so you do not exceed your service capacity.

This is becoming a common way to electrify without a full service upgrade, especially when the service is 100 amps and the panel is otherwise in good shape.

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A homeowner-safe checklist you can do in 10 minutes

You can answer most of the "Do I need an upgrade?" question with photos and labels.

Step 1: find your service size

Look for the main breaker rating. It is usually a large number like 100, 125, 150, or 200.

Do not guess based on panel size. Use the label.

Step 2: count open breaker spaces

If your panel is full, you may still have enough service amps, but you may need:

• a subpanel,
• breaker consolidation,
• or a panel replacement.

Step 3: note your major electric loads today

Common big loads include:

• electric range,
• electric dryer,
• central AC,
• electric water heater,
• hot tub,
• well pump.

If you have gas heat and gas water heating today, your electrical demand may be modest. If you electrify both, it changes.

Step 4: check for red flags that are not optional

If you see any of these, treat it as a safety project first:

• rust or moisture inside the panel area,
• burnt smells or scorched marks,
• repeated breaker trips that feel new,
• warm breakers or warm panel cover.

At that point, stop researching and call an electrician.

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The load planning table homeowners actually need

You do not need to memorize electrical code. You need a rough sense of what adds up.

Here are common circuit sizes for planning conversations. Your specific equipment can vary.

The question is not "How many amps do I add?" The question is "Which loads overlap at peak use?"

That is why an electrician's load calculation matters.

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How to electrify without a full service upgrade (often)

If your service is 100 amps and the panel is not unsafe, you may still have options.

Dial down EV charging

Most households do not need 40 to 50 amps of EV charging every night.

Charging at 16 to 24 amps can still refill a daily commute overnight, and it reduces peak overlap.

Use high-efficiency electrification options

Two examples that often reduce electrical demand compared to older electric choices:

• Heat pump water heaters can use far less power over time than resistance electric tanks.
• Heat pump dryers can avoid a large 240V heating element.

Consider load management instead of raw amps

If your goal is electrification, your goal is not "bigger panel." Your goal is "enough capacity safely."

Load management can keep a 100 amp service workable by preventing:

• EV charging plus range plus water heating all peaking at once,
• or backup electric heat plus other loads stacking during a cold snap.

Load management is not right for every home. It is worth discussing before you assume a service upgrade is required.

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When a service upgrade is worth it anyway

Even if you can electrify without it, a service upgrade can still be a good investment when:

• You are already doing major electrical work and want clean future capacity.
• You plan multiple large loads and want fewer constraints.
• You want to add solar and need a service configuration that supports it cleanly.
• Your current equipment is outdated and you want a safer, more maintainable setup.

This is a budget and goals decision, not a one-size rule.

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What to ask an electrician (so you get a real answer)

Bring your "next 3 to 5 years" list from My Plan and ask:

• Can you run a load calculation based on my planned electrification?
• Do I need a service upgrade, or do I only need more circuit space?
• Are there safety issues that should be addressed regardless of electrification?
• If I want EV charging, what charging rate fits my service without pushing an upgrade?
• Are load management devices a reasonable option here?
• If I upgrade, what parts of the work are utility-driven vs electrician-driven?

If you want to avoid emergency replacements and plan upgrades in a staged way, the Upgrade Timing Planner is the best companion tool.

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FAQ

Can I install a heat pump on 100 amp service?

Sometimes, yes. It depends on the heat pump size, whether you add electric backup heat, what other loads you have, and how much overlaps at peak use. This is a load calculation question, not a guess question.

Does an EV charger always require a service upgrade?

No. Many households can charge at a lower rate without changing service size. A higher-amp charger may require new wiring and capacity, but you can often pick a charging rate that fits your panel.

Do I need a new panel for induction cooking?

Not always. Some homes have capacity and open spaces. Others need a new circuit and panel space. The main question is whether you have an available circuit slot and enough capacity at peak overlap.

Is "panel upgrade" the same as "service upgrade"?

No. A panel replacement can be done without changing utility service size. A service upgrade changes the capacity coming into the home and usually involves utility coordination and inspection.

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Next steps

• Put your planned loads into My Plan so you have a clean list for quotes.
• If your bigger question is upgrade sequence, use the Upgrade Timing Planner.
• If you are early in planning, start with How to plan home energy upgrades without wasting money.