Homeowners today have more smart tech options than ever - even the humble electrical panel has entered the 21st century. One standout is the Span smart electrical panel, a modern, app-connected breaker panel that promises unprecedented control over your home's power use. But with its premium price tag, many homeowners are asking the big question: Is the Span electrical panel worth the cost? We'll break down what the Span panel is, how it differs from a traditional panel, its key features, pros and cons, and whether it's a worthwhile investment for your home. We'll also look at the installation costs (including why some quotes top $20k!) and how Bardi's professional electrical services can help if you decide to make the upgrade. Let's dive in!
What Is a Span Electrical Panel?
The Span smart electrical panel is a sleek, modern replacement for your home's old breaker box, offering smart controls and energy insights. A Span electrical panel is essentially a "smart" version of the gray breaker box on your wall. It replaces your existing main electrical panel with a sleek white enclosure that contains all your home's circuit breakers - but with a high-tech twist. Inside the Span panel, alongside the standard breakers that control each circuit, there's a built-in computer and sensors.
This allows the Span panel to monitor and control every circuit in real-time via a smartphone app from SolarReviews. In other words, it turns your once "dumb" electrical panel into an intelligent hub for managing home energy.
How It Differs from a Traditional Panel: In a traditional panel, your breakers can trip for safety, but you have no remote access or insight into what each circuit is doing. The Span panel, by contrast, connects to Wi-Fi and gives you a live view of your power usage on each circuit (lights, kitchen, HVAC, etc.) and lets you turn circuits on or off from anywhere. For example, you could shut off your downstairs lights from your phone or schedule your water heater circuit to turn off at night - tasks impossible with a standard panel.
Traditional panels also require a separate "critical loads" sub-panel for backup power systems (to isolate essential circuits during an outage). Span eliminates the need for a separate backup sub-panel, since it can dynamically prioritize and shed loads via software, according to Wired. In short, Span brings your electrical system into the smart home era.
Key Features of the Span Smart Panel
The Span smart electrical panel comes packed with features aimed at giving homeowners greater control, efficiency, and peace of mind when it comes to electricity. Here are some of the standout features that set Span apart:
Smart Home Integration & Remote Control
One of Span's coolest features is its seamless smart home integration. The panel connects to the Span Home mobile app (included with the system) which lets you monitor and control your home's circuits from anywhere. Forget to turn off the oven when you left home? With Span, you can cut power to that circuit remotely using your phone. You can also tie Span into your voice assistant - it even supports Amazon Alexa for voice commands and scheduling.
That means you could use an Alexa routine to schedule certain circuits off during peak hours or ask, "Alexa, how much power am I using right now?" and get insights. Beyond manual control, Span's app offers automation and scheduling. Homeowners can set schedules for circuits (for example, automatically turn off the EV charger at 8 AM when time-of-use rates go up). You also receive notifications if something is amiss - say, a circuit is drawing unusual power. This kind of integration makes energy management a hands-off part of your smart home once you program it to your lifestyle.
Real-Time Energy Monitoring and Insights
Ever wonder which appliances are energy hogs in your house? Span takes the guesswork out by providing circuit-by-circuit energy monitoring in real time. Through the app, you can see exactly how many watts each circuit (and thus each area or major appliance) is using at any moment, all displayed live in the Span app. For instance, you might discover your old fridge is drawing more power than anything else, or see how much your HVAC spikes when it kicks on.
Over time, Span's software can give you actionable energy insights - helping you identify opportunities to save energy and lower your bills. Monitoring also contributes to safety - if a circuit is drawing power unexpectedly, you can catch it quickly and turn it off, potentially preventing hazards. In essence, Span gives you a window into your home's electrical soul.
Backup Power Management for Solar and Battery Systems
If your home has (or might get) solar panels, a home battery backup, or even a generator, Span's capabilities really shine. The Span panel was practically built with solar and battery systems in mind. In a traditional backup power setup, you're forced to choose a limited set of "critical" circuits that your battery or generator can power during an outage - everything else stays off. Span changes that game.
It works with popular home batteries like Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, SolarEdge Home Battery, FranklinWH, and others, as noted by SolarReviews. Instead of a static critical-loads subpanel, Span lets you choose and prioritize circuits on the fly during an outage using the Span app. This dynamic load management means you get whole-home backup flexibility - you're not limited to pre-selected circuits. Many Span owners say this feature alone makes it almost essential if you have a backup battery, according to Wired.
For solar panel users, Span can coordinate with solar production as well. It doesn't directly increase your solar output, but by monitoring solar input and home consumption together, it can help you maximize self-use of solar power. It even offers features like dynamic EV charging: if you have an EV charger, the system can adjust the car's charging speed based on available solar or grid limits.
Future-Proof Capacity and Expansion
The Span panel is designed to handle the demands of modern all-electric homes. It's rated for a 200-amp service (225A bus) and supports up to 32 circuits per panel, according to EnergySage. It uses standard breakers (like Eaton or Square D), so your electrician can service it just like a normal panel for adding circuits. If you have a very large home or need more than 32 circuits, you can install multiple Span panels in parallel (for example, two Span panels can cover a 400A service or 64 circuits). This means Span can be scaled up for bigger electrical loads if needed.
Installation and Cost Considerations
Now for the big question: what does the Span smart panel cost, and what's involved in installing it? The upfront cost of the Span panel itself is about $3,500 (200A panel), per SolarReviews.
By comparison, a basic 200A traditional panel might only cost around $300 for the hardware. Under the latest energy efficiency tax credits, a Span panel upgrade qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit up to $600, effectively knocking the price down to around $2,900 if you claim the credit.
- Purchase Price:
$3,500 (200A Span panel) Traditional Panel Cost:$300 (200A panel)- Federal Tax Credit: 30% up to $600
Installation Costs: Replacing an electrical panel is a complex job that must be done by a licensed electrician (Span requires a certified installer to maintain the warranty). In a straightforward scenario, you might pay around $2,000-$4,000 for labor, permitting, and minor materials. However, if you need to upgrade from 100A to 200A service, relocate the panel, or add equipment like an EV charger simultaneously, costs can rise significantly.
There are real-world reports of high installation quotes. One homeowner on Reddit shared they were quoted over $20,000 in total for installing a Span panel plus a Span EV charger. Another mentioned a ~$17,000 quote for two Span panels and upgrading to 400A service. Each home's scenario is unique, so get a professional assessment and quote for your specific situation.
Pros and Cons of the Span Panel
Pros of the Span Smart Panel
- Granular Control & Monitoring: Full insight into your home's electricity use and remote circuit control.
- Enhanced Backup Power Management: Whole-home, flexible backup with batteries or generators, without a fixed subpanel.
- Smart Home Integration: Works with apps and voice assistants (Alexa) for automation and scheduling.
- Future-Proofing & Capacity: Supports EV charging, solar, new appliances, and multiple panels for expansion.
- Safety and Peace of Mind: Real-time alerts and remote shutoff capabilities for potential hazards.
Cons of the Span Smart Panel
- High Initial Cost: Premium price tag compared to traditional panels; payback from energy savings may be slow.
- Installation Complexities: Older homes may require costly service upgrades or additional electrical work.
- 200A/32-Circuit Limit: Capped per panel; very large homes may need multiple units.
- Reliance on App & Cloud: Remote functionality depends on internet and Span's servers; manual breakers still work.
- Longevity and Compatibility: Newer tech with questions about long-term support and future integrations.
Is the Span Panel Worth the Investment?
For homeowners, "worth it" ultimately comes down to your needs, goals, and budget. The Span smart electrical panel is a premium upgrade - it won't be necessary for everyone. Here are some considerations to help you decide:
When Span Is Worth It
- You have or plan to install solar panels and a battery backup system.
- You want detailed energy insights and to optimize power usage.
- You're building a fully smart home ecosystem with EV charging and automation.
- You need dynamic load management during outages to maximize backup duration.
When Span Might Not Be Worth It
- You simply need a basic panel upgrade without smart features.
- Your power is highly reliable, and you won't use backup or scheduling features.
- Your home's electrical setup requires major service upgrades to accommodate Span.
- You're working with a tight budget and ROI purely from energy savings is a priority.
Professional Installation and Next Steps
Suppose you've decided to explore upgrading to a Span smart panel (or even if you're just panel-shopping and curious). In that case, it's important to consult a professional electrician experienced with smart panels. Bardi's electrical team offers expert Span panel installations and can guide you through every step of the process. We'll assess your current panel, discuss your goals (such as integrating solar, a battery backup, or EV charging), and provide a detailed quote.
Our licensed electricians handle everything from service upgrades to final commissioning, ensuring your installation is safe, code-compliant, and hassle-free. We can also integrate related upgrades like EV charger installations or home battery hookups to create a cohesive, future-ready system.
Ready to Get Started? Contact Bardi today for a free consultation or quote on your Span electrical panel installation. Empower your home with smarter, more resilient energy control—your future self will thank you!
