Before adding an EV charger, generator, heat pump, or major addition, it's worth knowing whether your existing panel can actually handle the added load — or whether an upgrade needs to happen first. At Site Electric Services, we perform load calculations that give you a clear, code-based answer.
We proudly serve Vallejo, Benicia, Napa, Fairfield, Concord, Martinez, and surrounding areas with expert-level service that's built on experience, honesty, and an unmatched reputation for quality.
If you're adding a significant new load — a generator, EV charger, hot tub, or major appliance — a load study confirms whether your existing panel has room for it, or whether you'll need a service upgrade first. It's a quick way to avoid a surprise mid-project.
A load study is a calculation of your home's total electrical demand, based on the National Electrical Code's load calculation methods, compared against your panel and service's rated capacity. It accounts for your existing circuits, major appliances, and any new loads you're planning to add.
The result tells us definitively whether your panel has room for the new load, whether some load management is needed, or whether a service upgrade is required — avoiding guesswork before you invest in new equipment.
Our focus is on residential electrical work done right the first time, not rushed patch jobs. We bring an unmatched level of care and expertise to each job, with a reputation built on referrals, repeat business, and integrity.
We start by reviewing what you're planning to add and gathering details on your existing electrical.
Our electricians inventory your panel's existing circuits and major loads.
We run the load calculation and explain the results in plain language, including any options if capacity is tight.
We provide written documentation you can use for permits, contractors, or your own planning.
Adding a major new load without confirming your panel can handle it risks nuisance tripping, an overloaded service, or a failed inspection down the line — a load study answers the question up front.
We proudly provide electrical load studies throughout Vallejo, Benicia, Napa, Fairfield, Martinez, Concord, American Canyon, Vacaville, and Walnut Creek.
Whether you own a historic home in Benicia, a mid-century house in Vallejo, or a new construction in Napa, we have the knowledge and tools to give you an accurate answer on your panel's capacity.
Ready to get started? Call Site Electric Services today to schedule your electrical load study. Your home deserves the best—and Site Electric Services provides the best electricians in Vallejo and surrounding areas.
A load calculation adds up everything your electrical system needs to power — existing and planned — and compares it against your panel's rated capacity. It's the technical basis for knowing whether your system can safely handle a new addition.
Most load studies take under an hour on site, with results typically available the same day or shortly after.
The panel label only shows the panel's maximum rated capacity — it doesn't tell you what your home is actually using right now, or whether there's real headroom for something new. A load study calculates your actual usage against that limit.
We'll walk you through the options — that might mean a panel or service upgrade, load management devices that share capacity between circuits, or in some cases scaling back the new addition to fit within existing capacity.
Typically $2,500 to $5,000, depending on conditions.
