Do You Need a Heavy Up?
You may need more service capacity if:
- Your panel is 60 or 100 amps and full
- You're adding central air, an electric range, or a heat pump
- You plan to install an EV charger or solar
- You're finishing a basement or adding a rental unit
- Breakers trip when several appliances run together
- Your utility requires a service upgrade before connecting new equipment
How the Heavy Up Process Works
A heavy up involves the utility, the permitting office, and your electrician. We handle the coordination: load calculation, permit application, utility service request, new meter base and panel installation, grounding upgrades, and inspection.
On installation day your power will be off for part of the day while the utility disconnects and reconnects service. We schedule carefully to keep that window as short as possible.
Before anything is scheduled, we do a proper load calculation on your home. In some cases a smaller panel rearrangement or targeted circuit work covers the new appliance without a full service upgrade — and we'll say so when that's the case.
What Gets Replaced
A heavy up typically includes the meter base, the service entrance conductors, the main panel, grounding and bonding upgrades, and often the exterior conduit and weatherhead. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements, and the utility has its own standards for the service side — we stay current with both so the inspection passes the first time.
Because the panel and meter are replaced together, a heavy up is also the natural moment to add whole-house surge protection, solar-ready provisions, and the spare breaker spaces your future plans will want.
Plan for the Future
A properly sized service gives you room to grow without overloading circuits. We'll recommend a capacity that fits your plans for the next decade, not just today.
Most homes we upgrade land at 200 amps, which comfortably covers modern HVAC, an EV charger, a heat pump, and everyday loads. If your plans include solar or a large addition, tell us during the estimate so the design accounts for them from the start. Call (202) 521-4835 to discuss your heavy up.
What We Ask During the Estimate
During the estimate we ask about your plans, not just your panel. A home with a heat pump on the drawing board needs different capacity than one staying as-is, and a future EV charger, rental unit, or hot tub changes the math too.
Bring your utility bills if you have them handy — real usage history sharpens the calculation and sometimes reveals that the problem is usage, not capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electrical heavy up?
A heavy up is an upgrade of your home's electrical service capacity, often from 100 amps to 200 amps, including a new panel and meter equipment.
How long does a heavy up take?
Installation is usually completed in one day, but permitting and utility scheduling add lead time beforehand.
Do I need a heavy up for an EV charger?
Not always. We perform a load calculation to see if your existing service can support a charger safely.
Will my power be off all day?
The utility disconnect only needs to be off for part of the day. We coordinate the schedule so the outage window is as short as possible.
Does a heavy up include grounding upgrades?
Yes. Bringing grounding and bonding up to current requirements is part of a proper service upgrade.