New Jersey is pushing hard toward electrification, and heat pumps are at the center of it. They are efficient and increasingly incentivized, but there is a catch homeowners often miss until installation day: a heat pump adds a real electrical load, and many older NJ homes are not wired for it. Here is what you need to know about heat pumps and your electrical panel.
Why heat pumps are an electrical question, not just an HVAC one
A heat pump both heats and cools using electricity, which means it draws meaningfully more power than a traditional AC condenser, especially in cold weather when backup electric heat can kick in. That load has to come from your electrical panel. If the panel is already near capacity, adding a heat pump can push it over.
Do you need a panel upgrade?
Maybe. Many older homes across our service area still run on 100-amp or smaller service, and once you add a heat pump on top of an EV charger, a modern kitchen, and everything else, the math often does not work. We run a load calculation to tell you honestly whether your existing service can carry the heat pump or whether it needs a 200-amp panel upgrade. Not sure what you have now? See how many amps your home needs.
What the electrical work involves
- A properly sized dedicated circuit and outdoor disconnect for the heat pump.
- A load calculation to confirm capacity, plus a service or panel upgrade if needed.
- Coordination with your HVAC installer so the electrical is ready before the equipment is energized.
- Permitting and inspection, which we handle.
Coordinating with your HVAC installer
The cleanest projects happen when the electrician and the HVAC contractor talk early. We handle the panel, circuit, and disconnect to code, so your installer can drop in the equipment and it simply works. If you are planning a heat pump, loop us in before the install date, not the day of.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a panel upgrade for a heat pump?
Sometimes. A heat pump adds a significant electrical load, and many older NJ homes on 100-amp or smaller service lack the spare capacity. We run a load calculation to tell you whether your panel can handle it or needs upgrading to 200 amps.
What electrical work does a heat pump installation require?
A properly sized dedicated circuit and disconnect, and sometimes a service or panel upgrade for capacity. We coordinate with your HVAC installer so the system is ready to run.
Should the electrician or the HVAC company do the wiring?
A licensed electrician should handle the panel, circuit, and disconnect. We regularly coordinate with HVAC contractors so the electrical is done right and to code.
Planning a heat pump?
Call Voltus at (973) 382-9995 or request service online for a load assessment before your installation.
Heat pump and EV charger together
If you are adding a heat pump and an EV charger in the same period, size the service once rather than twice. A heat pump and a Level 2 charger are each a substantial continuous load, and doing them as two separate jobs often means paying for the panel work twice. See EV charger installation, our EV cost guide, and panel and service upgrades.