Will you need a panel upgrade?

If you're a homeowner looking into home improvement, it's important to think about how energy-efficient your heating and cooling systems are. Lately, heat pumps have been getting a lot of attention because they're good at keeping you comfortable without hurting the environment or your wallet too much. But, people are also starting to ask questions about how much energy they use and if our electrical systems can handle them.

Heat Pump Energy Consumption

Understanding the energy consumption of heat pumps is the starting point for gauging their viability in your home. Heat pumps operate on the principle of moving heat rather than generating it, which fundamentally makes them more efficient than traditional furnaces.

A Closer Look at COP

A key measure of heat pump efficiency is the Coefficient of Performance (COP), showing the heat energy moved per unit of electricity used. For example, a COP of 3.0 means the pump delivers three units of heat for each unit of electricity, highlighting heat pump efficiency. Yet, efficiency depends on the model, climate, and maintenance.

Climate Constraints

Efficiency and system capacity decreases with lower temperatures. It's important to complete an accurate heat load calculation for your location to assess how different heat pumps will perform at cold temperatures.

Energy vs Costs

Heat pumps are usually 250-350% efficient, which is much better than even the top gas or propane furnaces. However, whether they save you money depends on electricity and fuel prices. For instance, a heat pump might use only 1/3 the energy of a gas furnace. But, if gas costs 1/3 as much as electricity, running a heat pump costs about the same as using a gas furnace.

Electricity and fuel prices change over time. Keep in mind, high electricity costs can be balanced out by installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels.

Evaluating Your Electrical Panel

There’s more to welcoming a heat pump into your home than just picking the right model. Ensuring your home's electrical infrastructure can handle the added load is crucial.

When considering the installation of a heat pump, understanding the capacity of your home's electrical panel is crucial. Heat pumps need a certain amount of electricity that varies based on heat pump and the size of the electric resistance backup heat strip. Larger systems require more capacity. The decision to upgrade your panel hinges on several factors:

• Electrical Panel Capacity: Homes with electrical panels rated less than 100 amps will likely require an upgrade to accommodate a heat pump. This is because modern electrical demands, especially with the addition of a heat pump, typically exceed the capabilities of panels with lower amp ratings.

• Heat Pump Size and Panel Rating Compatibility: For homes with a 100-amp electrical service, installation of a heat pump does not necessitate an electrical panel upgrade under certain conditions. Specifically, if you intend to install a heat pump that is 2.5 tons or smaller, or even a 3-ton unit without an electric resistance backup heat strip, your existing 100-amp panel should suffice, given there are no unusual additional loads. Such atypical loads might include a hot tub or an electric vehicle (EV) charger, which significantly increase the total electrical consumption of the household.

• Strategic Appliance Choices: In scenarios where a household opts for a 3-ton heat pump with an electric resistance backup, it's possible to forgo a panel upgrade by installing a heat pump water heater. This is because heat pump water heaters are significantly more efficient than traditional electric water heaters, potentially offsetting the total demand placed on the electrical panel.

• Larger Panels Offer More Flexibility: Homeowners with a 200-amp electrical panel are generally in the clear to install any heat pump system without the need for an upgrade. This capacity offers ample room for the additional electrical load of a heat pump even with atypical loads on the house.

It’s essential to conduct a detailed review of your home’s electrical system and consult with a certified electrician. This assessment will help ensure that your electrical panel can adequately support a heat pump, providing efficient heating and cooling without overloading your system.

Jouleia’s Home Expert Service will demystify electrical panels. We’ll help determine if you can electrify your house without a panel upgrade.