Clearlane · clearlane.org
Know if your panel is ready for EV charging or a heat pump
Clearlane's free educational calculator estimates home electrical panel demand and headroom so you can plan EV charger or heat pump upgrades with clearer questions for a licensed electrician — not contractor advice, just transparent planning math.
City pages: Phoenix, AZ · Los Angeles, CA · Austin, TX
Workflow
How it works
Three steps from service amps to a shareable planning summary — built for homeowners, not permit drawings.
- 01
Enter service & loads
Pick your service amps, conditioned square footage, and toggle appliances, HVAC, EVSE, and optional solar back-feed.
Start with the calculator ↓
- 02
See demand & headroom
We apply documented demand factors and show total VA, amps at 240 V, utilization vs service, and a plain-language verdict.
- 03
Share & book a follow-up
Copy a shareable results summary, then optionally leave your contact details. After submit you can book time via Calendly on our thank-you page.
Three free tools
Panel load, charger size, or install cost
Start with panel headroom, pick a 32 / 40 / 48 A Level 2 path, or jump to install cost ranges and payback — educational planning estimates, not contractor bids.
Panel load
Panel load calculator
Estimate demand amps, utilization, and whether an EVSE or heat pump looks Likely OK, Borderline, or Upgrade likely.
Open panel load ↓Charger size
Amp & circuit sizing
Map daily miles and plug-in hours to 32 / 40 / 48 A continuous, a breaker heuristic, and hardwire vs NEMA 14-50 guidance.
Open charger size calculator →EV charger install cost
Install cost calculator
Plan Level 2 home charger install cost ranges, add-ons, and simple payback against public charging — free and transparent.
Open install cost calculator →Product · Panel load
Panel load calculator
Estimate inspired by NEC 220.83-style demand factors: 3 VA/sq ft lighting; 100% of first 8 kVA other load + 40% remainder; HVAC at 100%; EV nameplate × 1.25 continuous factor. Educational only.
Service & dwelling
EV charger & solar
Nameplate VA uses amps × 240 V. Demand applies a 1.25 continuous-load factor on that nameplate (e.g. 40 A → 9,600 VA × 1.25 = 12,000 VA). The factor is not double-counted in the defaults.
Appliances (other load)
These loads plus general lighting use the 8 kVA / 40% demand factor. Edit VA defaults to match nameplates when known.
HVAC (100% demand)
Central AC and heat pump HVAC are mutually exclusive in many homes, but you may enable both. If both are on, this estimate includes both at 100% (simultaneous-use assumption). Real diversity depends on equipment and climate — confirm with a licensed electrician.
FAQ
Is this calculator a substitute for a load calculation by an electrician?+
No. This is an educational estimate inspired by NEC 220.83-style demand factors for existing dwellings. A licensed electrician or engineer should perform a formal load calculation and obtain any permits required by your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
How is EV charger load treated?+
Level 2 EVSE nameplate VA is amps × 240 V (40 A = 9,600 VA; 48 A = 11,520 VA). Because EV charging is typically treated as a continuous load, this tool multiplies that nameplate by 1.25 for demand. The defaults do not already include the 1.25 factor.
What do Likely OK, Borderline, and Upgrade likely mean?+
They compare estimated demand amps to your service rating: at or under 80% → Likely OK; above 80% up to 100% → Borderline; above 100% → Upgrade likely. These thresholds are planning heuristics for this tool, not code pass/fail criteria.
Can I count both central AC and a heat pump?+
You can enable either or both. If both are enabled, both nameplates are included at 100% with a note about simultaneous use. Many homes have a single heat pump that provides heating and cooling — disable the unused option when that applies.
What happens when I submit the lead form?+
Clearlane saves a backup in your browser (localStorage), notifies the Clearlane operator by email when configured, and then takes you to a thank-you page where you can book a follow-up via Calendly. We do not sell your data. See our Privacy page for details.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides an educational estimate only. It is inspired by concepts similar to NEC 220.83 optional calculations for existing dwelling units, but it is not a code-compliant load calculation, design document, or permit-ready analysis. Install cost figures are planning ranges anchored to public market articles — not contractor bids. Local amendments, existing wiring conditions, continuous loads, diversity, solar interconnection rules, and equipment nameplates can change the result. Always consult a licensed electrician and your AHJ before adding an EV charger, heat pump, or other major load, or before upgrading a service. Clearlane does not claim partnerships with contractors and does not replace professional advice. Tax credits and rebates have eligibility rules — consult a tax professional. Outbound quote and product links may be affiliate or referral marketplaces — not Clearlane contractors.