Seattle Panel Upgrades, Sized for Heat Pumps & EVs
Still on a fuse box or 100-amp service? A licensed Live Wire electrician will run a load calculation and show you exactly what your home needs.
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Prefer to talk? Call (206) 238-0265
Every upgrade lands on the same panel
Most Seattle and Snohomish County homes were wired long before anyone plugged a car into the garage. Adding modern electric equipment usually means checking capacity first — here's what typically drives a panel or service upgrade.
Heat pumps & mini splits
Switching off gas or baseboard heat adds a large dedicated circuit — and often an outdoor disconnect.
EV charging at home
A Level 2 charger typically needs a 40 to 60 amp circuit. Two cars, or a charger plus a heat pump, adds up quickly.
Induction ranges & electric dryers
Kitchen and laundry conversions need new 240-volt circuits run back to the panel, plus the space to land them.
Heat pump water heaters
Moving off a gas water heater means a new circuit in a garage or utility space, often with condensate and clearance work.
ADUs, shops & additions
A backyard unit or detached shop usually needs a subpanel and a service that can carry both structures.
Backup power & batteries
Generators and battery systems require transfer equipment and a panel arrangement that separates your critical loads.
Signs your panel or service is maxed out
If two or more of these sound familiar, start with a load evaluation.
- A fuse box, or a 60 to 100 amp main breaker
- No open breaker spaces left, or two wires under one breaker
- Breakers that trip when the dryer, oven or space heater runs
- Lights that dim or flicker when a large appliance starts
- A warm panel cover, buzzing, or scorch marks around breakers
- Rust in the panel or around the meter base
- An obsolete or recalled panel brand
- A contractor told you a heat pump or EV charger "won't fit" on your service
Three steps to a panel that fits your plans
From load calculation to final inspection, we handle the permit and the utility coordination.
Tell us what you're adding
Fill out the short form with your home and the equipment you're planning. No obligation, no pressure.
Takes about a minuteWe calculate your real load
A licensed electrician reviews your panel, meter and service, runs a code load calculation, and quotes the options — including load management if it saves you an upgrade.
Written, itemized quoteUpgrade, permit, inspect
We pull the permit, coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect, install the new panel or service, and see the inspection through.
2-year warrantySeattle-area homeowners trust Live Wire Electric
Real reviews from neighbors across King & Snohomish Counties.
★★★★★ 5-Star Rated on Google
★★★★★
"We've used Live Wire for three different projects now—panel upgrade, outdoor lighting, and a whole-home generator. Consistently excellent."
★★★★★
"Professional from start to finish. Clear pricing, clean work, and they walked us through everything before they left."
★★★★★
"Had an emergency with our panel at 10pm. They answered immediately and had someone here within the hour. Saved us from what could have been a disaster."
Why homeowners choose us
Licensed Washington electricians with 25+ years of experience and 5,000+ completed projects.
25+ years of experience
More than 5,000 projects completed across King & Snohomish Counties, from 1920s bungalows to new construction.
Permits & utility coordination
Washington contractor license LIVEWWE844J2. We pull permits, schedule inspections and coordinate the utility.
24/7 emergency response
Burning smell, sparking panel or a dead main? Our emergency team answers around the clock.
$69 dispatch fee
A flat, upfront dispatch fee — credited toward your project when you book with us.
2-year warranty
Two years on equipment and services — 25 years for members of our $9.95/mo plan.
5-star rated on Google
Homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, Lynnwood and Edmonds trust our crew.
Questions? We've got answers
How do I know if my electrical panel needs upgrading?
Common signs are a fuse box or a 60–100 amp service, a full panel with no open breaker spaces, double-tapped breakers, breakers that trip regularly, lights that dim when large appliances start, and a panel brand that is no longer supported. If you're planning a heat pump, EV charger or induction range, a load calculation will tell you for certain.
What size service do I need for a heat pump and EV charger?
It depends on the home. Many older Seattle-area houses on 100-amp service can add one large load, but adding several usually calls for a 200-amp service or load management. We run a code load calculation on your actual home rather than guessing from square footage.
Do I always need a bigger service to electrify my home?
No. Smart panels, load-management devices and circuit sharing can sometimes let a 100-amp service handle a heat pump or EV charger without a full service upgrade. We price both paths so you can compare.
Does a panel upgrade need a permit and inspection?
Yes. Panel and service upgrades are permitted work in Washington, and the utility has to be coordinated for the disconnect and reconnect. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection and handle the utility coordination for you.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
A straightforward panel replacement is typically a one-day job, with the power off for part of it. A full service upgrade involving the meter base, mast or an underground run takes longer and depends on utility and inspection scheduling.
What does a panel or service upgrade cost?
It depends on the amperage, the condition of the existing service, meter and mast work, and whether any circuits need repair. You get a written, itemized quote before any work begins, and the $69 dispatch fee is credited toward your project when you book with us.
Are there rebates or incentives for electrification?
Utility and state programs for heat pumps, wiring and panel work change over time and vary by utility. Check current offers with your own utility — we can provide the documentation and invoices those programs usually require.
Find out what your panel can actually handle
Get a load evaluation and a written panel or service upgrade quote from a licensed Washington electrician. No obligation.
Get My Upgrade Estimate Call (206) 238-0265
No obligation · Licensed · 24/7 emergency service