Will my panel handle it?
Adding an EV charger, heat pump or hot tub? Answer a few questions to estimate whether your electrical panel has room. Takes about 2 minutes.
How this estimate works
The math follows the published National Electrical Code method for adding load to an existing home. Two licensed electricians in the Pikes Peak region checked its answers before it went live (Nov 2026). It's an estimate to help you talk to an electrician; their calculation is what counts.
- Code basis: . PPRBD (the area's permit office) hasn't confirmed which code edition it uses for this calculation, so we run both the 2026 and the older 2023 method. When they disagree for your home, you see both answers.
- Your home's existing load: the first 8,000 watts count fully, the rest counts at 40%.
- A new EV charger counts at 80% of its rating (at least 7,200 watts). New electric heat, including heat-pump backup strips, counts at 80%. Other new loads count at 50%.
- Everything in your home plus a new charger or hot tub goes in one total: the first 8,000 watts count fully, the rest at 40%. A new charger counts at its rating (at least 7,200 watts).
- If you add a heat pump, your heating or cooling after the change (whichever is larger) counts fully, in addition to that total.
- For heating and air conditioning, only the larger of the two counts.
- Bands: Likely fits = 90% of your main breaker or less; Borderline = 90–100%, or a "not sure" answer could push it over 90%; Likely needs a load manager or panel upgrade = over 100%.
Questions
Can I just use a 240-volt outlet instead of a hardwired charger?
Sometimes. A garage outlet needs GFCI protection (a shock-protection device that cuts the power in a fault), and some chargers trip it (shut it off) for no clear reason. Many electricians prefer a hardwired charger. Your electrician decides which fits your home, and either way it needs a permit.
Why does my main breaker size matter?
The main breaker is the limit for your whole house. This tool compares an estimate of your home's load with that limit. An electrician also checks the meter and the service wires.
What is a load management device?
A device that turns a big load, like an EV charger, down or off while the rest of the house is using a lot of power, so you may not need a bigger service. An electrician decides if one fits; it needs a permit like any other wiring.