Electrical Service Upgrade
If your home has less than 200-amp electrical service, consider upgrading your electrical service to prepare your home for clean energy.
Why should you consider an electrical service upgrade?
Your home’s electrical service determines how much electricity your appliances can use. Older homes typically have less than 200-amp electrical service. Electrical service upgrades increase your home’s value and prepare it for clean energy solutions like solar systems, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.
How to determine whether you need an electrical service upgrade
Homeowners can check out this site for instructions on how to determine the amperage of your home’s electrical service. This Old House also has a helpful video that shows what an electrician will do to upgrade your meter and electrical panel.
How to upgrade your electrical service
Talk to an electrician about how to upgrade your electrical service. A licensed electrician will perform the upgrade and work with your local permitting agency to ensure the job is code-compliant. This upgrade typically takes one day to complete, and usually costs $2,500 to $4,500, but can be more depending on your home.
Video
Explanation of Electrical Service Upgrade | Part 1
This Old House | 5 min. 41 sec.
Master electrician Scott Caron demonstrates the first, outdoor phase of upgrading to 200-amp electrical service.
Video
Explanation of Electrical Service Upgrade | Part 2
This Old House | 4 min. 33 sec.
Scott demonstrates the second phase of the process: installing a new service panel. NOTE: All of this work should only be performed by a professional electrician.
Incentives and Financing
Municipal Light Plant
If you live in a town served by a Municipal Light Plant (MLP) check your MLP’s website for incentives and rebates.
Financing Options
Mass Save® HEAT Loan: Up to $25,000 at 0% interest over terms of up to 7 years.
Energy Saver Home Loan Program: Up to $100,000 at up to 2% interest over terms of up to 20 years for income-qualified households.
Example Cost for a 2,000 FT2 Home
Example up-front cost
$3,500
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
ELECTRICAL SERVICE UPGRADES
Generate clean, renewable energy at home with a solar electricity system
Cut heating costs and emissions with an air-source heat pump
