The 2025 Load Study: Why Your Electrician Shouldn’t Just “Add a Breaker” for Your EV Charging Station

By Richard J. Robinson 1 month ago
The 2025 Load Study: Why Your Electrician Shouldn’t Just “Add a Breaker” for Your EV Charging Station

Investing in an electric vehicle is one of the most exciting upgrades you can make for your home and the environment. Whether you’ve just brought home a sleek new Tesla or a versatile Ford F-150 Lightning, the convenience of waking up to a “full tank” is a game-changer. However, as homeowners across Everett and the Puget Sound area dive into the world of sustainable driving, a dangerous trend is emerging in the world of EV charging station installation.

Many people assume that installing a home charger is as simple as plugging in a new toaster. You find an open slot in your electrical panel, snap in a new breaker, run some wire, and you’re good to go, right?

Wrong.

In 2025, the electrical demands of a modern home are higher than ever. Adding a high-draw Level 2 charger without a professional Load Study is like trying to run a marathon while breathing through a straw. At In-House Electrical Services, we’ve seen the “just add a breaker” method lead to flickering lights, melted components, and costly emergency repairs.

Here is why a professional load calculation is the most critical step of your EV journey.

The Hidden Power Demand of EV Charging

To understand why a load study is necessary, we have to look at how much power an EV actually pulls. Most Level 2 chargers installed today are rated for 48 amps of continuous draw.

In the world of electrical code, there is a massive difference between a “standard load” and a “continuous load.” A standard load, like a microwave or a vacuum, runs for a few minutes and stops. A continuous load, like an EV charger or an HVAC system, runs at full capacity for three hours or more.

Because EV chargers pull so much power for such a long time, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that the circuit and the home’s overall capacity be calculated at 125% of the charger’s rating. That 48-amp charger actually requires 60 amps of available “headroom” in your panel. For a home with a 100-amp or even a 200-amp service, that is a massive portion of your available electricity “claimed” by a single device.

What Happens Without a Load Study?

When an amateur or an uncertified handyman skips the load calculation, they are essentially guessing. Here are the three most common consequences we see at In-House Electrical Services:

1. The “Ghost” Flickering Lights

Have you ever noticed your lights dim for a split second when your air conditioner kicks on? That’s a momentary voltage drop. Now, imagine that draw happening for 8 hours straight while you sleep. Without a proper load study, your EV charger can starve other circuits in your home of the voltage they need, causing persistent flickering or “brown-out” conditions that can damage sensitive electronics like computers and smart TVs.

2. Nuisance Tripping (Or Worse)

Your main breaker is the “bouncer” of your home’s electrical system. Its job is to shut everything down if the total demand exceeds what the wires can safely handle. If you’re charging your car at 48 amps and your electric water heater and dryer both kick on at 11:00 PM, you could exceed your home’s total capacity. If you’re lucky, the main breaker trips and you wake up to a dark house and a car that isn’t charged. If you’re unlucky, an aging main breaker fails to trip, leading to extreme thermal stress and potential fire hazards.

3. Voiding Your Warranty and Insurance

Modern EVs are sophisticated computers on wheels. Using a charging circuit that hasn’t been properly engineered for your home’s specific load can lead to “dirty power.” If a surge occurs because of an imbalanced load, it could potentially damage your car’s onboard charging system. Furthermore, if an electrical fire occurs and it’s discovered that the EV charging station installation was done without a permit or a required load study, your insurance company may deny the claim.

The In-House Electrical Services Approach: The Professional Load Study

At In-House Electrical Services, we don’t just “install chargers”, we engineer home energy solutions. As Tesla Certified EVC Circuit Installation Providers, we follow a rigorous process to ensure your home remains “smiling” and safe.

Step 1: The 24-Point Inspection

Before we even look at your charger, we perform a thorough inspection of your existing system. We check for signs of wear, loose connections, or outdated “Zinsco” or “Federal Pacific” panels that are known safety risks in older Puget Sound homes.

Step 2: The NEC Load Calculation (The “Math” Part)

We use the NEC Article 220 method to tally your home’s existing electrical footprint. We factor in:

  • The square footage of your home (general lighting load).
  • Fixed appliances (dryer, range, dishwasher).
  • Largest motor loads (HVAC, heat pumps).
  • Existing “dedicated circuits.”

We then add the proposed EV load at its 125% value. If the total exceeds the rating of your main service (usually 100A or 200A), we know we need a different strategy.

Step 3: Determining the Solution

If your load study shows you are over capacity, you don’t always need a $4,000 main service upgrade. Because we are experts in modern electrical technology, we can offer alternatives:

  • Smart Load Management: We can install devices that “talk” to your charger. If your home’s total demand gets too high, the device temporarily throttles the car’s charging speed, then ramps it back up once the oven or dryer turns off.
  • Sub-Panel Installation: To clean up a crowded main panel and provide a dedicated, safe hub for your EV circuit.
  • Main Service Upgrades: If your home is still running on an old 60-amp or 100-amp fuse box, we can provide a full upgrade to 200 amps to future-proof your home for heat pumps and further electrification.

Why Experience in the Puget Sound Matters

Homes in Everett, Marysville, and the surrounding areas have unique electrical histories. From mid-century ramblers with original wiring to newer builds that were never intended to house a “miniature gas station” in the garage, every project is different.

Since 2009, In-House Electrical Services has focused exclusively on residential service. We understand local codes and the specific demands our Pacific Northwest winters put on heating systems which often compete with EV chargers for power during those cold January nights.

Upfront Pricing and Peace of Mind

We know that the cost of EV charging station installation can be a concern. That’s why we offer Fixed, Upfront Pricing. When we perform our load study, we give you a clear, detailed quote before any work begins. There are no hidden fees, no “surprise” upgrades mid-job, and no guesswork.

Your safety and satisfaction are backed by our Workmanship Warranty. If an issue arises from our installation, we fix it, no questions asked.

Do It Once, Do It Right

Your electric vehicle is an investment in the future. Don’t protect that investment with a “budget” installation that skips the most important safety check. A professional Load Study is the only way to guarantee that your home’s 100A or 200A service can actually handle the 48A continuous draw required for modern fast charging.

If you’re ready to power up your home the right way, trust the experts who keep Puget Sound’s houses smiling.

Schedule Your Professional EV Load Study with In-House Electrical Services Today!