What is a smart panel and is it worth it?

A smart electrical panel is a modern upgrade to your traditional breaker panel that adds Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time energy monitoring, and remote control capabilities. While they offer impressive features, whether they're worth it depends on your specific needs and budget.

Smart panels like the Span Panel, Schneider Square D Energy Center, or Eaton Smart Breaker Panel replace your existing electrical panel with one that can monitor every circuit in your home individually. You can see exactly how much electricity your air conditioning, water heater, or EV charger is using through a smartphone app. Many models also allow you to remotely turn circuits on and off, which is particularly useful for managing energy usage during peak rate periods with NB Power.

Key features of smart panels include:

• Real-time energy monitoring for each circuit, helping identify energy hogs


• Remote circuit control through smartphone apps


• Load management that can automatically shed non-essential loads during outages when paired with a generator or battery backup


• Integration with solar panels and battery storage systems


• Detailed usage reports that can help reduce your NB Power bills

The technology becomes especially valuable in New Brunswick given our frequent ice storms and power outages. Smart panels can automatically manage your backup generator's load, ensuring critical circuits like heating and refrigeration get priority while less essential circuits are temporarily disabled.

Cost considerations for New Brunswick homeowners are significant. A smart panel installation typically runs $4,000 to $8,000, compared to $1,500 to $2,500 for a traditional 200A panel upgrade. The higher cost reflects both the advanced technology and the additional configuration time required. TSANB permits are required for installation, and the work must be completed by a licensed electrician familiar with smart panel technology.

The value proposition depends on your situation. If you're already planning a panel upgrade (perhaps from an old Federal Pacific panel or upgrading from 100A to 200A service), the incremental cost for smart features may be worthwhile. Homeowners with solar panels, EV chargers, or whole-home generators see the most benefit from load management features. The energy monitoring alone can help some families reduce their electricity bills by 10-15% by identifying wasteful usage patterns.

However, if your current panel is functioning well and meets your needs, the cost may be hard to justify purely for monitoring features. Many of the energy savings can be achieved with less expensive smart outlets and energy monitors.

Before making the investment, consider whether you'll actually use the monitoring features and if the load management capabilities align with your backup power plans. The technology is still relatively new, so ensure your chosen electrician has experience with smart panel installation and configuration.

Need help finding an electrician experienced with smart panel installation? New Brunswick Electrical can match you with local professionals who understand both the technology and TSANB requirements for your specific project.