As our homes get smarter — equipped with everything from voice assistants and connected thermostats to solar panels and electric vehicle chargers — it makes sense that the electrical panel, the control center of it all, is evolving too. Enter the smart electric panel: a high-tech upgrade to the traditional breaker box that offers greater visibility, control, and efficiency for your home’s electrical system.
But is a smart electric panel really worth the investment? In this blog, we’ll break down what a smart panel is, how it works, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for your home — especially if you’re planning renovations, installing solar, or upgrading your electrical system in Denver or surrounding areas.
What Is a Smart Electrical Panel?
A smart electrical panel, sometimes referred to as an intelligent panel, is an advanced version of a traditional breaker box. While a standard panel distributes electricity to different circuits and trips when there’s an overload, a smart panel goes several steps further.
With a smart panel, homeowners can:
- Monitor energy use in real time at the circuit level
- Control individual circuits from a smartphone app
- Set schedules for when devices or appliances can draw power
- Prioritize essential loads during power outages (especially useful with backup batteries or generators)
- Integrate with solar energy and EV charging systems
Popular brands include Span, Lumin, and Leviton Smart Load Centers, which offer user-friendly interfaces and cloud-based control from anywhere.
How Does It Work?
Smart panels work by installing smart breakers or circuit monitoring modules into the panel that are capable of measuring and controlling electricity on a per-circuit basis. These breakers communicate with a central hub or app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Many smart panels are designed to integrate with your smart home ecosystem, meaning you can get alerts, make adjustments, and track your energy use right from your phone or tablet. Some models even suggest ways to optimize your energy use, helping you shift loads to off-peak hours and save money on your utility bill.
What Are the Benefits of a Smart Electrical Panel?
1. Real-Time Energy Monitoring
Smart panels let you see exactly how much power each appliance or system is using. You can track spikes in consumption, identify energy-hungry devices, and spot unusual activity, like a sump pump running too often or an appliance drawing power when it’s turned off.
2. Remote Control and Automation
Going on vacation and forgot to turn off your water heater? Want to turn off your garage lights from your phone? With a smart panel, you can remotely control individual circuits or automate their operation based on your schedule.
3. Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings
Many Denver-area homes are trying to improve energy efficiency, especially with rising utility costs and increasing strain on the grid. A smart panel helps you identify waste, shift energy use to off-peak hours, and reduce your overall consumption.
4. Solar and EV Integration
If you’re installing solar panels or an EV charger, a smart panel can help you manage and prioritize loads more efficiently. For example, you can ensure your home uses solar power first before pulling from the grid, or you can automatically reduce charging during peak hours.
5. Outage Management and Backup Prioritization
If you have a home battery backup or generator, a smart panel can automatically prioritize which circuits stay on during an outage. Instead of losing power to your refrigerator or medical equipment, the panel can intelligently manage the load to extend battery life or minimize fuel usage.
6. Increased Home Value and Future-Proofing
As more buyers seek energy-efficient and smart-enabled homes, having a smart panel may become a desirable feature. It shows that your home is ready for solar, EV charging, home automation, and energy management — a major plus in competitive real estate markets like Denver.
What Are the Downsides or Challenges?
While smart panels offer many benefits, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
1. Higher Upfront Cost
Smart panels typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000 for equipment and installation, depending on the brand, panel size, and complexity of your system. This is significantly more than a standard panel upgrade, which may run $1,200–$2,500.
However, rebates and incentives may apply — especially if you’re pairing your smart panel with solar, an EV charger, or a whole-home battery system.
2. Requires Professional Installation
Installing a smart panel is not a DIY job. It must be done by a licensed electrician, who will ensure proper setup, code compliance, and safety. In Denver, permitting and inspections may also be required, particularly if you’re replacing your existing electrical panel.
3. Internet Dependence
Most smart panels rely on cloud-based systems and Wi-Fi. While they still function as traditional panels if disconnected, features like remote control or usage tracking may be limited during an internet outage.
4. May Be Overkill for Some Homes
If your home has modest energy needs or you’re not planning to add solar or an EV charger, a smart panel may be more than you need right now. That said, it’s a good idea to future-proof if you’re already replacing your panel.
Is a Smart Electrical Panel Worth It?
Yes, if:
- You’re installing solar or battery backup systems
- You have or plan to get an electric vehicle
- You want detailed insights into your energy use
- You want remote control over home circuits
- You plan to stay in your home long-term and value energy efficiency
Maybe not right now, if:
- You’re on a tight budget and don’t need the extra features
- You aren’t planning to increase your energy demands
- Your current panel is already up-to-date and working efficiently
Think of a smart panel as the “nerve center” of a modern home, especially as we transition to electric everything. If you’re already considering electrical upgrades, it’s worth getting a quote for both a traditional and a smart panel to weigh your options.
Ready to Upgrade? Let Table Mountain Electric Help
Whether you’re curious about smart panels, need a panel upgrade, or are planning to install solar or an EV charger, the licensed electricians at Table Mountain Electric are here to help. We proudly serve Denver and the surrounding areas with expert electrical solutions tailored to today’s evolving energy needs.
Our team can walk you through:
- Whether a smart panel makes sense for your home
- How to prepare your home for energy upgrades
- What rebates or local incentives might apply
- Safe, code-compliant installation and long-term support
Don’t wait to modernize your electrical system. Contact us today for a consultation and personalized quote on smart panel installation.
Table Mountain Electric
Table Mountain Electric Inc. is Denver’s trusted name in premier electrical solutions. From essential services such as electrical panel upgrades and panel replacements to intricate kitchen wiring for your renovation needs, our expertise shines through in every project.
