Is There a Smart Home Energy Panel in Your Future?

February 20, 2025

As we begin our home build, there are a million things it seems to consider. One of the more critical ones, especially with the sensitivity around the power grid, is electricity and how it’s managed. Like other home build projects, the electric lines will be routed underground to the service panel in our garage. But that’s where it’ll be very different and smart!

A fully electrified home requires an intelligent control system to optimize energy use and maximize savings. That’s where smart panels come in — a revolutionary upgrade to the traditional service panel.

For decades, service panels have remained largely unchanged, their design rooted in mid-20th-century technology when resettable circuit breakers replaced fuses. But with the shift toward home electrification, that’s no longer sufficient. The next generation of service panels is digital, offering homeowners unprecedented control over their electrical systems.

Home electrification is gaining momentum in North America and beyond, driven by government policies that promote electric alternatives to gas-powered appliances, such as furnaces, stoves, and vehicles. Additionally, many homeowners are integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into their homes and using battery storage systems to reduce dependence on the grid. With these changes, an intelligent energy management system becomes essential.

Recognizing this need, manufacturers like Schneider Electric, Eaton, Koben and Span have developed smart panels. Today’s models are significantly more reliable than early versions, as leading brands undergo rigorous testing.

While not every home requires a smart panel yet, their adoption is likely to follow the trajectory of traditional breaker panels, becoming a standard feature in modern homes.

At first glance, a smart panel resembles a sleeker version of a conventional breaker panel. However, its functionality is vastly different. Instead of manual toggle breakers, smart panels use digital circuit breakers that communicate with a central control system. This system continuously monitors electrical usage, allowing homeowners to control their power consumption, either directly or through a mobile app.

Key features of smart panels include:

• Real-time load analysis: Homeowners receive data on energy usage, helping them optimize power distribution.
• Automated load management: Prioritize energy use during outages, reduce consumption during peak hours or maximize battery life.
• Grid independence: Certain smart panels, like Span’s, can automatically disconnect from the grid during outages, ensuring seamless backup power transition.

For instance, Span’s panel classifies circuits into three categories — “Must Have,” “Nice to Have” and “Not Essential.” During an outage, non-essential circuits shut down immediately, while mid-priority circuits remain on until battery reserves hit 50%.

Smart Panel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lower energy costs
• More efficient energy management
• Automatic switching between grid, solar, and wind power
• Remote diagnostics and control

Cons:

• Higher upfront costs: Smart panels range from $2,000 to $5,000, compared to $400 to $800 for a traditional panel.
• Potential service upgrades: Homes with 100-amp panels may need to upgrade to 200 amps or more, which can cost an additional $1,300 to $3,000. However, if you’re planning to add EV chargers or replace gas appliances you’ll likely need a service upgrade anyway.

While any homeowner can benefit from a smart panel, it’s particularly valuable for those who:

• Integrate solar or wind energy with the grid: A smart panel optimizes energy usage and savings.
• Use a battery backup system: It helps manage loads to extend battery life.
• Fully electrify their home: Balances power distribution to prevent overloads.

Another major advantage is remote connectivity. Whether you’re managing an Airbnb rental or monitoring your home while traveling, a smart panel lets you control circuits remotely. For example, you can disable power in unoccupied rooms, turn on heat to prevent pipes from freezing, or optimize energy use based on real-time weather conditions.

With home electrification on the rise, smart panels are set to become the new standard — bringing greater efficiency, cost savings, and control to homeowners everywhere.

So, if you’re building a new home like we are, upgrading the electrical infrastructure in your home or are looking to add solar or wind power, what smart panels should you consider? There are different types based on needs and your home so let’s look at some options.

Full Smart Panels

The Span Smart Panel is the best-known option that completely replaces your traditional electrical panel. It does everything a standard breaker box does plus real-time energy monitoring and circuit-by-circuit control.

Other brands, like the Leviton Load Center and Schneider Electric Pulse, offer similar capabilities, allowing you to add smart breakers or modules to specific circuits.

Smart Energy Controllers

Not all smart energy devices replace your panel. Some attach to your existing breaker box, offering home energy management without requiring a full panel swap.

• Lumin makes a smart sub-panel that controls up to 12 circuits without new breakers.
• Savant offers smart circuit modules that work inside traditional breaker boxes.
• Solar battery brands like Enphase and SolarEdge also make smart energy managers, though with less flexibility than dedicated smart panels.

Now for the not-so-great news. Smart panels aren’t cheap, but they can be cost-effective compared to alternatives. Installation labor can add several thousand dollars but compared to a $10,000+ service upgrade, a smart panel can be the better deal. Another perk? If installed with a solar battery, smart panels may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit, potentially saving thousands.

Should you get a smart panel? It might make sense if:

• You’re installing a solar battery and want flexible backup power.
• You need more electrical capacity but want to avoid a costly service upgrade.
• Your utility company uses time-of-use pricing, and you want to minimize peak-hour costs.

It might not be for you if:

• You just want energy monitoring — cheaper alternatives exist.
• Your electrical system is already modernized and meets your needs.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your home and energy goals. If a smart panel helps you avoid unnecessary costs or better manage your electricity use, it might be well worth the investment.

So how do you choose the right smart electrical panel for your needs? It depends on your need or projected future need.

• Are you looking to get the most out of a new solar battery?
• Want to integrate your electrical panel with your smart home?
• Need a code-compliant, future-ready panel for a new build or major renovation?
• Planning to install an EV charger, heat pump or induction stove but hoping to avoid a costly electrical service upgrade?

Here are a few suggestions to help you find the best smart panel for your situation.

Lumin

• Great add-on for solar batteries; some smart-home capabilities
• Limited to “smartening” 12 circuits but still pricey
• $2,500 for panel; up to $5,000 installed

Span

• Full, code-compliant panel; app control for every circuit; may help avoid costly service upgrades.
• Expensive; long-term durability unknown
• $3,500 for panel; up to $10,000 installed (often less)

Savant

• Modular system — smartens only the circuits you choose; works with smart switches/outlets.
• Each module takes up space in the braker box; fewer features
• $120-$240 per module (before installation)

Schneider Home Pulse

• Full, code-compliant panel designed for solar + storage
• Circuits not smart by default — requires additional Wiser modules.
• $2,999 (before installation)

If you love smart home tech like I do, Span offers the most control, allowing you to manage every circuit via an app. However, most homes aren’t wired to take full advantage of this. While Span works well for large appliances like HVAC systems, EV chargers and water heaters, many homeowners may only need a few smart circuits. In that case, Savant, Schneider Electric Pulse, and Leviton are excellent choices, allowing you to selectively add smart control where it matters most.

Alternatively, if your goal is simply to take advantage of some smart home automation, you don’t necessarily need a smart panel. A smart energy monitor, like Sense or Emporia Vue, paired with a home automation hub can achieve similar results at a lower cost.

To wrap up, the best smart energy management solution depends on your specific needs. Hopefully this has helped give you a better idea of what’s out there. Like I said at the beginning, it’s a critical element and a lot more complicated than you probably thought choosing the right smart panel as you can optimize energy use, prepare for future upgrades, and potentially save money on costly future electrical work.

Let Debbie and I know what your thoughts are regarding smart home energy panels. Is it worth the hassle? Does the integration with smart home technology, energy savings and ease of management make it worth the extra investment? Let us know in the comments, DMs or email.

Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process of our new smart home build. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’

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SmartHomeOnTheRange.com