So, you just brought home a brand-new electric vehicle. You love the way it drives, but you’ve realized that the standard wall plug in your garage is painfully slow. You want a Level 2 charger so you can fill up overnight. But then you look at your electrical panel and wonder: “Is there even enough room for this?” This is the most common question we hear at Toronto EV Experts. We specialize in helping homeowners in Toronto and the GTA figure out exactly how much power their home can handle without spending money they don’t need to spend.
Upgrading your electrical system can feel overwhelming. You might hear terms like “amps,” “volts,” and “load management” and feel like you need a degree in engineering just to charge your car. Don’t worry. This guide will break down everything you need to know about your electrical panel in simple terms. We will help you understand if you need an upgrade, what your options are, and how we can solve your power problems safely.
What Exactly Is Your Electrical Panel?
Think of your electrical panel as the “brain” of your home’s power. Electricity comes from the street (Toronto Hydro or your local utility) and enters this grey metal box. From there, it is split up into different circuits. You have circuits for your lights, your fridge, your microwave, and your dryer.
Every panel has a limit on how much total electricity it can handle at one time. This is measured in Amps.
- Older homes often have 60-amp or 100-amp panels.
- Modern homes usually have 200-amp panels.
An EV charger is a “heavy lifter.” It uses a lot of power—often as much as an entire central air conditioning unit or an electric stove. Because it runs for several hours at a time, your panel needs to have enough “room” left over to run the charger while you are also using your other appliances.
Signs You Might Need a Panel Upgrade
How do you know if your panel is at its limit? Here are a few red flags that suggest you might need an upgrade before your EV charger installation:
- The Panel is Physically Full: If every single slot in your panel already has a switch (breaker) in it, there is no physical place to connect the new wires for your charger.
- Flickering Lights: If your lights dim when your air conditioner or microwave kicks on, your system is already struggling to keep up with the demand.
- Frequent Tripped Breakers: If you constantly have to go to the basement to flip a switch back on, your panel is telling you it’s overloaded.
- A 100-Amp Main Breaker: While many 100-amp panels can support a charger, it depends on what else is in your house. If you have an electric furnace, electric water heater, and a hot tub, a 100-amp panel likely won’t have enough juice left for a car.
The Big Question: 100 Amps vs. 200 Amps
In Toronto, many semi-detached and older detached homes are stuck with 100-amp service. In the past, 100 amps was plenty. But today, we have big TVs, computers, powerful HVAC systems, and now, electric cars.
If you have a 200-amp panel, you are usually in the “green zone.” You likely have plenty of capacity to add a Level 2 charger without any major changes.
If you have a 100-amp panel, we have to do a Load Calculation. This is a math formula required by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). It looks at the square footage of your home and all your big appliances. If the math shows that adding a charger would push you over the 100-amp limit, the law says we cannot simply “plug it in.”
This is where most general electricians stop. They will tell you that you must spend $3,000 to $5,000 to upgrade your whole service to 200 amps. But at Toronto EV Experts, we have a better way.
The Problem Solver: EVEMS (Load Management)
What if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars and wait weeks for the utility company to dig up your lawn to upgrade your panel?
We use a “smart” solution called an EVEMS (Electric Vehicle Energy Management System). You might hear people call it a “Load Miser” or a “DCC Box.”
How it works: The EVEMS device sits between your panel and your charger. It constantly “watches” how much power your house is using.
- If you are sleeping and the house is quiet, the device allows the charger to use full power.
- If you decide to cook dinner, run the dryer, and turn on the AC all at once, the device senses that the house is reaching its limit. It will temporarily “pause” or slow down your car charger to protect your house.
- Once you turn off the stove, the device automatically turns the car charger back on.
This is a certified, legal, and safe way to get a high-speed charger in a home with a smaller panel. It solves the problem of a “full” panel without the massive cost of a full service upgrade.
Why a “Handyman” or General Electrician is a Risk
You might find someone online who says, “I can just double up your breakers and make it fit.” Stop right there.
EV chargers are unique. They are “continuous loads,” meaning they pull a lot of heat and power for many hours. If the wiring isn’t perfect or the panel is overloaded, it can lead to melted wires or even a house fire.
When you work with Toronto EV Experts, we handle the technical details that others miss:
- Proper Wire Gauge: We use thick, high-quality wire that won’t overheat.
- ESA Permits: We always file a permit. This means an independent government inspector checks our work to ensure your home is safe.
- Insurance Protection: If you have a fire and the insurance company sees an unpermitted EV charger, they may deny your claim. We protect your investment by doing it the right way.
Our Process: Making Your Installation Simple
We know you want your charger working as soon as possible. Here is how we help you solve the panel upgrade puzzle:
1. The Virtual Load Assessment
You send us a photo of your electrical panel. Our experts look at your breakers and your main service. We perform a preliminary load calculation to see if you have room for a charger.
2. The Transparent Quote
We give you options. If you need more power, we will show you the cost of a full 200-amp upgrade versus the cost of an EVEMS load-sharing device. We explain the pros and cons of each so you can make the best choice for your budget.
3. The Expert Installation
Our team arrives with all the parts needed. We don’t “dabble” in EV chargers; we do this every single day. We mount the unit, run the conduit cleanly, and ensure your panel is labeled correctly.
4. The Safety Check
We perform a full safety test before we leave. We show you how to use the charger and how to read your panel. You get the peace of mind that comes with a job done by specialists.
Does an Upgrade Increase Home Value?
Yes! Just like we mentioned in our previous guides, a home with a 200-amp panel is worth more than a home with a 100-amp panel. Buyers today want “power-ready” homes. Even if they don’t have an EV yet, they know that a 200-amp panel allows them to add hot tubs, finished basements, or chargers later without extra cost.
By upgrading your panel or adding a smart load management system now, you are making your home much more attractive to future buyers in the Toronto real estate market.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Stress, Just Call the Experts
You don’t need to be an electrician to get your car charged. You just need to call the right team. Whether your panel is from 1970 or 2024, we have the tools and the knowledge to get your Level 2 charger running safely.
Stop worrying about blown fuses and start enjoying the convenience of a fast charge at home.
Ready to see if your panel can handle it?
Contact us today for a free assessment. We serve all of Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Scarborough, and the entire GTA.
Contact Toronto EV Experts Today
Toronto EV Experts 4548 Dufferin St #111, North York, ON M3H 5R9
Phone: (437) 218-8177
Email: [email protected]
ESA/ECRA #: 7016895
Working Hours: 24/7