Do You Need an Electrical Upgrade for a Heat Pump in Massachusetts?
You’ve decided on a heat pump. Maybe an EV charger too. Then your contractor mentions your electrical panel, and suddenly there’s talk of upgrades, permits, and thousands of extra dollars.
Welcome to the reality of electrifying an older Massachusetts home.
The 100-Amp Heat Pump Problem
Walk into most homes built before 1980 and you’ll find a 100-amp electrical service. Back then, it made perfect sense. Oil furnaces handled heating. Gas fired the hot water heater. The biggest electrical load was probably the refrigerator and some window AC units.
Fast forward to now. You’ve got central air, a bigger kitchen, maybe a home office setup, a few gaming consoles. Then you want to add a heat pump that draws 40-60 amps at full tilt. The math stops working.
Newer homes—anything from the ’90s on—typically come with 200-amp service because builders saw this coming. But if you’re in an older home? You’re probably staring at an upgrade.
Electrical Upgrades: It’s Not Just About the Heat Pump
We crunch the numbers in the several thousand whole home heat pump systems that Endless Energy has installed in Massachusetts since 2022 as part of the Mass Save heat pump program, and we found that 22% of homes installing heat pumps required an upgrade.
Sure, the heat pump may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. But the real issue is cumulative. That kitchen remodel five years ago added circuits. The basement renovation needed outlets and lighting. Someone installed a hot tub.
Each project nibbled away at your available capacity. The heat pump just happens to be the thing that pushes you over the edge.
And if you’re planning to add an EV charger down the line? Forget it. You’ll need that upgrade.
Overhead vs. Underground Electrical Service: Why This Matters for Your Wallet
Not all electrical upgrades cost the same. How power gets to your house makes a huge difference.
With overhead service, you’ve got wires running from a utility pole to your house. Upgrading means replacing the mast, meter, and panel—straightforward work.
Underground service? That’s where things get expensive. Power runs through buried conduit from a transformer. Upgrades often require trenching, upsizing utility-side wiring, and coordinating with National Grid or Eversource. Costs can spiral quickly.
This is why it’s worth exploring alternatives before committing to a full upgrade.
You Might Not Need a Full Electrical Upgrade
Smart panels like SPAN have changed the game. Instead of increasing your service capacity, they manage what you already have. They monitor energy use in real time and shift power to where it’s needed most—basically, they make your 100-amp panel act smarter.
Load management devices work similarly. They’ll temporarily dial back your dryer or water heater when your heat pump kicks on, keeping you under your amp limit without tripping breakers.
These solutions don’t work for everyone, but they’re worth considering, especially if you’re facing an expensive underground service upgrade.
Start With the Right Assessment
Every home is different. Some need the full 200-amp upgrade. Others can get by with smart management. You won’t know until someone actually looks at your setup.
Tim Sperling, our master electrician, does this evaluation for every heat pump consultation we run. He’ll review your existing service, calculate your loads, and tell you what your actual options are—not just the most expensive one.
If you’re planning a heat pump or EV charger installation in Massachusetts, start by understanding your electrical situation. Self-Schedule a no cost electrical and heat pump consultation with Endless Energy or give us a call at 508-299-5561 and we’ll walk you through it.
Endless Energy’s expert system designers will assess your panel, explain your options, and help you choose the right path—without surprises. No surprises. No guesswork. Just a real plan that works for your home.
Electrical Service Upgrades FAQs
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel for a heat pump in Massachusetts?
Many homes built before 1980 have 100-amp service, which may not support a heat pump—especially when combined with existing electrical loads or future EV chargers.
How much does a 200-amp electrical upgrade cost in Massachusetts?
Costs vary widely. Overhead service upgrades are typically less expensive, while underground service upgrades can be significantly higher due to trenching and utility coordination.
Can I install a heat pump without upgrading my electrical service?
In some cases, yes. Smart panels and load-management devices can allow a heat pump to operate safely on a 100-amp service by prioritizing electrical loads.
Will adding an EV charger require an electrical upgrade?
Often, yes. EV chargers draw significant power and commonly push older 100-amp services beyond their capacity without an upgrade or load management.
Who should evaluate my electrical system before installing a heat pump?
A licensed electrician experienced with heat pumps should perform a full load calculation and service evaluation before any installation decisions are made.
