Electric Panels: Responsible Pre-Electrification
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Adding electric appliances and systems to your building or home - such as electric heat, stoves, dryers, and electric vehicle chargers - increases the load on the building’s electrical system. An electrical panel – sometimes called a breaker box or fuse box – acts as a central hub that distributes electricity from the service line coming into the home to feed all parts of the home through circuits and wiring. Unlike other electrical infrastructure like power lines and utility poles, an electrical panel is the property of the homeowner or property owner and not the electric utility. For full building or home electrification, upgrading your service panel may be necessary.
Looking for tips on your electric panel or wiring upgrades?
The Hub offers guidance and support to help Marylanders take the next step toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
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Make List of Electrification Upgrades to Pursue: This could include
heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, electric dryers, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. If any of these projects involve switching from a fossil fuel appliance to an electric appliance, you will likely need a new circuit.
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Determine Panel Size & Check Size of Existing Eectrical Panel: This will help you determine if you can add new loads to your existing panel without requiring a panel or service upgrade. Depending on the age and size of your home, your electrical panel could range from 60-400 amps. If your panel has less than 200 amps and you are looking to upgrade to a heat pump for your hot water or space heating needs, a service upgrade may be necessary for that equipment to work properly.
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Create Electrician List: Get at least three quotes to compare costs.
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Research Incentives: Determine if there are incentives you can leverage to defray some of the costs.
The Hub is committed to helping building owners and homeowners understand the range of incentives for which they may be eligible when considering electrification or decarbonization upgrades.
Single-Family Residential:
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Sec. 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit: Homeowners can claim an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit of up to $600 for electrical upgrades that support the installation of new electric equipment. Note that the IRA tax credit is capped at 30% of the project cost.
Commercial & Non-Residential: Electric panel upgrades are eligible measures for the following grant programs.
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MEA's Commercial & Industrial Grant Program: This program provides eligible commercial buildings funding for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation upgrades for existing, major renovation, and new construction projects that are above minimum code and performance standards and claim at least 20% energy savings.
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DHCD's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program: The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability (MEEHA) program promotes energy efficiency and housing affordability in affordable multifamily rental housing developments.
The Hub invites you to explore the materials below to help guide your next steps. Use these resources to help move your building decarbonization project forward with greater confidence.
