Chart

Heat pump electric backup load impact chart

Compare heat pump operation with common electric backup heat kit sizes and their service-load impact.

Chart boundary

Does not size backup heat, approve service capacity, or decide emergency heat controls.

bar bands

Backup heat load bands

Use the load bands to decide whether a heat pump project needs a service-capacity review before installation commitments.

Scopeheating and hvacX-axisbackup heat kit sizeY-axisservice load impactReviewAnnualNextElectric heater kW to amps calculator
Backup heat load bandsbackup heat kit size5 kWabout 21 A at 240 V8 kWabout 33 A at 240 V10 kWabout 42 A at 240 V15 kWabout 63 A at 240 V
Use the load bands to decide whether a heat pump project needs a service-capacity review before installation commitments.
5 kW
about 21 A at 240 V
8 kW
about 33 A at 240 V
10 kW
about 42 A at 240 V
15 kW
about 63 A at 240 V
Compressor/fannameplate MCA/MOCP

Do not ignore base heat-pump electrical data.

Staging/lockoutcontrols govern coincidence

Actual concurrent load depends on controls.

Handoffheater amps calculator

Use exact voltage and kW inputs there.

Decision reference

Show why electric backup heat can dominate a dwelling load review even when the heat pump compressor is efficient.

Reference basis: BC Hydro heat pump retrofit guidance and Canadian residential load planning references.
ConditionChart readingNext checkBoundary
Compressor-only operationReview MCA/MOCP and actual equipment dataHVAC nameplate tableNo branch-circuit approval
5 kW backup heatNoticeable service-load additionElectric heater current calculatorNo load rule decision
10 kW backup heatMajor residential loadService capacity calculatorNo service approval
15 kW backup heatHigh service-impact discussionLoad stack chartNo HVAC design

Use notes

  • Use this chart as a planning and conversation aid only.
  • Confirm current utility requirements, product markings, manufacturer instructions, and local authority requirements before field work.
  • Use the linked calculator or table when the task needs project-specific arithmetic.

Reference sources

Open the underlying public references before treating the chart as project guidance.