Electrical Conduit Upgrades for EV Charging and Major Remodels
Upgrading Your Electrical Service for an Electric Vehicle (EV)
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common and homeowners in the greater San Jose area plan major remodeling projects, upgrading your electrical service becomes a crucial step. Most homes in our area operate on 100-amp service, but upgrading to a 200-amp system ensures you meet both current and future power demands—especially for EV charging.
Why Upgrade Your Electrical Service?
Upgrading your electrical service involves more than just a panel replacement. Your electricity utility provider often requires increasing the capacity of the wire connecting your home to their system. This is where Freedom Underground, a licensed A-General Engineering and C36 Plumbing contractor, can help you. We have the skills and equipment to install underground electrical conduit in an effective and, when allowed trenchless method. We can also install new electrical boxes in the sidewalk where you typically need to connect to the electrical utility.
Specializing in Underground Work
While we do not handle the panel upgrade itself (you will need a certified electrician for that), we specialize in the underground work required for your project. Whenever possible, we use trenchless technology to minimize disruption to your property, keeping costs lower and your landscape intact.
How to Get Started
The first step in upgrading your electrical service is obtaining an approved plan from your electricity provider. We cannot provide a project estimate until you have this plan, as it will include important details like changes to your electrical box in the sidewalk and the placement of the conduit. Once you receive an approved plan, contact us at (408) 693-6018 or use our contact form to request a free estimate. You may also email your approved plan directly to us at [email protected]. In all cases, the approved plan is required before we can proceed.
Working with PG&E
PG&E is the electricity provider for many San Francisco Bay Area customers. If PG&E is your provider, they provide a guide entitled Changing your Electrical Service (PDF). You may also find PG&E’s EV Rebate Program useful.
PG&E typically requires you to obtain permits before beginning the upgrade. These may include building permits for the panel and private property trenching, as well as an encroachment permit from your local public works department if alterations to the sidewalk’s electrical box are necessary. We recommend initiating the process with PG&E to determine the specific permits you will need. Their plan is required to know what permits you will need.
For Customers with Other Providers
If your electricity provider is a CCA (Community Choice Aggregator) or a city utility, such as Palo Alto Utilities, Silicon Valley Power, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy, or East Bay Community Energy, start by consulting your local provider. Since many of these providers use PG&E’s infrastructure, you may still need to coordinate with PG&E for your upgrade. However, it is best to begin by contacting your local utility to confirm the process.
Trenchless Conduit Installation
Whenever possible, we do trenchless conduit installation as it is less expensive and less disruptive to your landscape. However, we find that most of the time for electrical conduit, the utilities and public works departments require sand bedding which requires an open trench.