PanelBoost

If you're planning to install a new appliance in your home, your existing electrical panel may not have enough capacity to support everything all at once. High-demand appliances such as heat pumps, electric stoves, EV chargers and other electric upgrades often require a costly panel replacement. PanelBoost helps you make better use of your existing electrical service, allowing you to add more without replacing your panel. The result is lower cost and less disruption to your home. 

You may be eligible if you:

• Are an active PG&E residential electric customer.
• Own a single-family home or detached residence and pay the electric bill.
• Have a 150-amp service or smaller, or need a panel upgrade to add a heat pump, heat pump water heater, induction stove, EV charger or other high-demand appliance.

Apartments, condominiums and homes where the landlord pays the electric bill are not currently eligible. The need for a panel upgrade must be verified by a licensed electrician.

A full panel upgrade typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 for homes with overhead service. The cost can be $20,000 or more if your service is underground since trenching is often required. PanelBoost avoids all of that by optimizing your existing setup. PG&E covers the cost of the PanelBoost equipment. You pay only the electrician's standard fees for installation, permits and appliance connections. In many cases, the total cost is much lower than replacing your electrical panel.

PanelBoost is designed to make better use of your existing electrical service. During rare periods of high demand, PanelBoost may briefly pause a connected appliance to keep your home's electrical system within its limits. You choose which appliances have priority, and you'll receive an alert if an adjustment occurs.

PG&E offers PanelBoost because it helps customers electrify their homes without costly panel upgrades while support a more reliable grid as more homes switch to electric appliances. It's a solution that benefits both homeowners and the broader energy system.

PanelBoost does not limit your day-to-day electricity use. You can run your appliances as you normally would.

During rare periods when your home's demand approaches its limits, PanelBoost may briefly delay a lower-priority appliance to help keep your electrical system operating safely. You decide which appliances have priority and can change those priorities at any time through a customer app, and will be notified whenever an adjustment is made.

PanelBoost is a great fit for many homes, but some projects still require a traditional panel upgrade. This may be the case if you're building an ADU, adding more electrical loads than PanelBoost can support, or if your existing panel is outdated or unsafe.

If you're not sure which option is right for your home, a licensed electrician can help you decide.

The panel itself uses virtually no power. Your bill only rises if you add appliances that consume more electricity. The customer app helps you track usage and spot savings opportunities.

Step 1. Electrician installs PanelBoost. A licensed electrician installs the PanelBoost system and prepares your home for setup.

Step 2. PG&E installs new SmartMeter™. PG&E upgrades your meter to support intelligent energy coordination between your home and the grid.

Step 3. Electrician connects appliances and completes setup. Your electrician connects eligible appliances and finalizes the system configuration.

Your appliances respond automatically. PanelBoost coordinates connected appliances in the background so you can add more electric devices with less hassle.

This depends on your local building codes. Your electrician may need to pull permits for any new appliances they connect. Most electricians will manage that paperwork for you.

Yes, but only for a few minutes as your new meter is installed. The entire meter installation typically takes under an hour.

Absolutely. PanelBoost has space for up to 16 appliance connections. Your electrician can return whenever you're ready to electrify something new. You can upgrade your home as your needs grow.

• Heat pump
• Induction range
• Hot tub / Sauna
• Water heater
• Dryer
• EV charger
• Virtually any electric appliance