Panel upgrade cost in Massachusetts: going to 200 amps for heat pumps, EVs and induction
Panel upgrade cost in Massachusetts: national prices, why Greater Boston homes move to 200 amps, Somerville permits, utility steps and Mass Save help.
Mateus MagnoLicensed Construction Supervisor · October 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Angi's 2026 national data puts a typical electrical panel upgrade at $1,200 to $2,000, and a 200-amp panel installed at $1,300 to $2,000. Greater Boston usually runs higher, especially on triple-deckers with several meters. Mass Save offers 0% HEAT Loan financing for panel upgrades and up to 100% coverage for income-eligible households when the upgrade is needed for a heat pump.
Panel upgrade cost is one of the first questions my clients ask once they decide on a heat pump, an EV or an induction range. Nationally, Angi's 2026 cost guide puts a typical panel upgrade at $1,200 to $2,000, and a 200-amp panel installed at $1,300 to $2,000.
Those are national averages. In Greater Boston the price usually runs higher, and a triple-decker with three meters is a bigger job than a single-family house.
Panel upgrade cost: what goes into the number
| Cost piece | What I see |
|---|---|
| Electrician: panel and service equipment | National range above; more if the meter socket, service cable or grounding also needs replacing |
| Somerville electrical permit | $70 to alter a service up to 200 amps with up to two meters and two panels; $35 for each additional meter and panel (City fee schedule) |
| Utility work | National Grid says a simple upgrade carries no charge from the utility; complex upgrades may have extra costs |
| Wall and trim repair | Patching where the panel moves or new cable runs |
What pushes it higher: moving the panel, old wiring that has to be fixed before the inspector will pass it, plaster walls in 1900 to 1930 houses, and lead-safe work when we open painted surfaces.
Why Greater Boston homes are moving to 200 amps
Eversource describes typical residential service as one meter, 200 amps, single-phase, 120/240 volts in its electric service FAQ. Many older Somerville and Medford houses were wired long before that was the norm.
The new loads add up fast:
- Heat pumps replacing oil or gas heat (see my guide to heat pumps in Somerville winters).
- Level 2 EV chargers on a 240-volt circuit.
- Induction ranges, electric dryers and heat pump water heaters.
Mass Save's electrification page says a panel upgrade may be necessary to prepare a home for electrification, and tells homeowners to consult a qualified electrician. Not every house needs 200 amps. A load calculation tells you.
The steps, start to finish
- Load calculation. A licensed electrician adds up your existing and planned loads and confirms the upgrade size. National Grid asks customers to do this with an electrician before applying.
- Electrical permit. In Somerville, a licensed electrician must apply for and obtain all electrical permits, per the ISD Building Division FAQ.
- Utility request. Eversource requires a request for any new, changed or upgraded service. Requests are typically submitted by licensed electrical contractors, and a homeowner can submit one only for their own owner-occupied single-family home after getting a homeowner electrical permit. Eversource says requests reach a technician within two business days.
- National Grid customers submit an Electric Service Request Form online, by email or by phone, and get a Job Owner as their main contact.
- Install, inspection and reconnect. The electrician swaps the equipment, the work is inspected under the permit, and the utility restores power.
Which utility do you have? Somerville is Eversource territory, as the City's Community Choice Electricity program notes. Other parts of Greater Boston are served by National Grid, so check the top of your bill.
Triple-deckers: three meters, one plan
Most triple-deckers have a separate meter and panel for each unit, often in the basement. If you are electrifying the whole building, upgrade all the services in one permit and one utility request. It saves on mobilization, avoids a second shutdown, and lets the electrician lay out the meter bank properly once.
Rebates and financing for a panel upgrade
- Mass Save HEAT Loan: a panel upgrade can be included in a 0% interest loan, per Mass Save's electrification page.
- Income-based offers: for eligible households in 1 to 4 unit homes, Mass Save says up to 100% of the cost may be covered when a panel upgrade is needed for a new heat pump, or for health and safety work before weatherization. Offers are subject to cost-effectiveness screening (Mass Save enhanced incentives).
- EV charging rebates: if the upgrade is part of a Level 2 charger install, Eversource's 2026 program paid up to $700 toward wiring or panel upgrades for standard-rate customers. It stopped taking applications on November 1, 2026, and a 2027 program is awaiting state approval (Eversource EV rebates).
For the full list of local programs, see my Somerville rebates and loans roundup.
Need a hand?
I coordinate panel upgrades with licensed electricians as part of kitchens, heat pump conversions and whole-house renovations. Book a free walkthrough and I will send a written line-item budget, usually within 48 hours. I work in Somerville, Cambridge and across Greater Boston.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to upgrade to a 200 amp panel?
Angi's 2026 national data puts a 200-amp panel installed at $1,300 to $2,000. Greater Boston usually runs higher, especially if the meter, service cable or several units are involved.
Does Mass Save pay for electrical panel upgrades?
For income-eligible households, Mass Save says up to 100% may be covered when a panel upgrade is needed for a heat pump. Others can include a panel upgrade in a 0% Mass Save HEAT Loan.
Who do I call to upgrade my electric service in Massachusetts?
Start with a licensed electrician. They size the upgrade, pull the electrical permit and submit the service request to Eversource or National Grid.
Do I need a 200 amp panel for a heat pump?
Not always. Mass Save says an upgrade may be necessary for electrification, and a load calculation by a licensed electrician tells you whether your current service is enough.
Want a real number for your home? See my published prices and how I quote a job, and the towns I work in.
Mateus Magno founded Magno & Co in 2020. He is a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor (CS-123658), registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC #220484) and certified Lead-Safe Renovator Supervisor who has renovated and managed over $5 million in projects across Greater Boston.
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