When you install an EV charger at home, a new, heavy consumer is added — often 7–22 kW over several hours. Without load balancing, you risk constant power outages if you simultaneously cook, run the tumble dryer, or heat the house. Here is everything you need to know about load balancing.
What is load balancing?
A load balancer (also called a power monitor or EVSE energy meter) is a small device connected to or mounted in the electrical panel. It measures in real-time how much electricity the house is consuming and communicates with the EV charger.
The principle is simple:
- If the house draws a lot of electricity → the EV charger automatically lowers the charging power
- If the house is "empty" (night, weekend) → the EV charger charges the car at maximum power
Everything happens in milliseconds, without you noticing it.
Why is load balancing necessary?
With the new power tariffs (effekttariffer) that Ellevio, Vattenfall, and E.ON introduced during 2024–2026, load balancing is more important than ever. You now pay for your highest power peak per month.
Without load balancing — worst case:
| Situation | Power |
|---|---|
| EV Charger (11 kW) + stove (6 kW) + heat pump (3 kW) | 20 kW total |
| With 16A main fuse (max ~11 kW) | 💥 The main fuse trips |
| Peak power fee (Ellevio) | 20 × 57 SEK = 1,140 SEK extra that month |
With load balancing — same situation:
| Situation | Power |
|---|---|
| Stove (6 kW) + heat pump (3 kW) = 9 kW | The load balancer detects it |
| The EV charger reduces to 16A max - 9 kW = ~2 kW | No outages |
| Peak power = 9 kW | Half the grid fee |
Product Comparison: Popular Load Balancing Solutions
| Product | Type | Compatible EV Chargers | Price (material) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easee Equalizer | Wireless (WiFi) | Easee Charge Lite, Easee One | 1,500–2,500 SEK |
| Zaptec Pro | Built-in | Zaptec Go (requires Pro) | Included in Zaptec Pro |
| Garo Entity Compact | Wired CT sensor | Garo Entity | Included in the package |
| Tibber Pulse | Wireless (BT/WiFi) | Most chargers via API | 400–800 SEK |
| CTEK Nanogrid | Wired | CTEK Chargestorm | 2,000–4,000 SEK |
Prices refer to materials without installation. The Green Technology deduction (50%) applies to the entire load balancing system.
Wired vs Wireless Load Balancing
Wired (CT sensor + cable)
- ✅ Most stable and reliable
- ✅ Works without WiFi
- ❌ Requires a cable from the electrical panel to the charger (5–20 m, extra cost)
- Best for: garage installations, Garo Entity Compact, CTEK
Wireless (WiFi/Bluetooth/API)
- ✅ Easier installation (lower labor cost)
- ✅ Integrates with the Tibber app
- ❌ Requires stable WiFi out at the EV charger
- Best for: Easee Equalizer, Tibber Pulse + existing EV charger
What does the installation of load balancing cost?
| Item | Cost (gross) | Cost (net with Green Tech 50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Load balancer (material) | 1,500–4,000 SEK | 750–2,000 SEK |
| Installation (1–2 h electrician) | 1,800–3,600 SEK | 900–1,800 SEK |
| Total | 3,300–7,600 SEK | 1,650–3,800 SEK |
If the load balancing is installed together with the EV charger, the labor is usually included in the package price.
Do I have to have load balancing?
It is not a legal requirement, but we always recommend it. The reasons:
- Power tariffs — without load balancing, you risk hundreds of extra SEK every month
- Fuse capacity — most villas have a 16–25A main fuse, which is not enough for an EV charger + house at full power
- Green Technology deduction — load balancing qualifies for a 50% deduction just like the EV charger
Frequently Asked Questions about Load Balancing
Does load balancing work with solar panels? Yes — advanced systems like Garo Entity can prioritize charging the car with self-generated solar electricity and only supplement with grid electricity when the sun isn't enough. This is called "solar charging" or "PV boost".
Can I add load balancing to an existing EV charger? Often yes. If your EV charger has a WiFi connection and supports dynamic power control, you can often add, for example, Tibber Pulse or Easee Equalizer without replacing the charger.
What happens if the WiFi goes down (wireless load balancing)? Most systems fall back to a predefined "safe" power mode (e.g., 6A) until communication is re-established.
Need help with this?
Get a free quote from our certified electricians. We usually respond within 24 hours.
Free QuoteDo you want load balancing installed?
We install complete EV charger packages with load balancing in Greater Stockholm. The Green Technology deduction (50%) is deducted directly on the invoice. Contact us for a free price quote.
