Jetson's new EV charger may help homeowners avoid a panel upgrade by matching household power use

"Water and Charge are the next step toward a connected home."

Adding an electric vehicle charger can sometimes trigger an electrical panel upgrade that costs thousands of dollars. In many homes, though, that extra work may not be needed.

Jetson Home says its new Level 2 charger is built to modulate charging based on a home's electricity demand, which could help homeowners avoid a panel upgrade where local code allows it.

What to know

Jetson Charge is being introduced alongside Jetson Water, the company's heat-pump water heater, according to an announcement from Jetson Home shared by Yahoo Finance. Reservations began in late October, and installations are set to start in 2027. Both products connect through one app with Jetson Air, the company's climate-control system.

The charger includes a whole-home energy monitor that tracks electricity usage. That setup allows charging speed to adjust automatically as other appliances and systems draw power, instead of treating the vehicle as a separate load.

Jetson says Charge can operate on 100-amp home electrical service, which could let many owners skip a panel upgrade. Compatibility is checked before installation, and local code can affect whether this is possible.

According to Jetson, homeowners can use the app to schedule charging or switch it on and off. When hardwired, Charge can deliver up to 48 amps.

More background

Heating, hot water and EV charging often involve separate purchases, different installers, multiple apps and varied electrical requirements. Jetson says those uses account for the largest share of household energy consumption, and its system is designed to bring them together.

Jetson says Water pulls heat from surrounding air and uses about one-quarter of the energy needed by a conventional electric tank. It is available in 50-, 65- and 80-gallon sizes.

Jetson Air also provides visibility into electricity use, indoor air quality and equipment performance, the company says. Through the same app, Water owners can change temperatures, switch operating modes and enable vacation mode while away.

What is being done?

Jetson says it handles electrical-capacity checks, permits, rebate paperwork and installation through its own technicians. That gives homeowners a single company to manage the upgrade process instead of coordinating equipment and labor separately.

Both Water and Charge include 10 years of Jetson Care coverage, although the company did not disclose prices or rebate amounts in its announcement. Jetson also applies qualifying rebates to reduce upfront costs.

Water and Charge can also be used separately, so customers may replace a water heater or add EV charging first and expand their setup later. A full system purchase is not required all at once.

For water-heater replacements, Jetson says its licensed technicians typically finish installation within a few hours.

"Most people don't think about their homes as a collection of energy systems. They want hot water, a comfortable home and a car that's ready to go. Our job is to make the equipment behind all of that more efficient and easier to live with, and to give homeowners a clear picture of how their home uses energy," Jetson Home co-founder and CEO Stephen Lake said. "Water and Charge are the next step toward a connected home."

Where can I learn more?

These related stories provide more context on the practical issues that can come with adding an EV charger, including electrical capacity and installation costs.

• An EV driver received a $10,000 charging quote, then learned a 100-amp panel might suffice.

• A California condo buyer ran into electrical panel limits after being told charger installation would be simple.

• A South Florida home shopper asked whether a panel could support a Tesla charger installation.