What is a smart electrical panel?

A smart electrical panel is a next-generation electrical panel that combines traditional circuit breaker functionality with digital monitoring, remote control, and energy management capabilities — giving homeowners real-time visibility and control over their home's electrical system through a smartphone app.

Traditional panels are essentially passive devices: breakers trip when overloaded, and that's about it. A smart panel goes much further. Each circuit is monitored individually, so you can see exactly how much power your refrigerator, EV charger, or HVAC system is drawing at any given moment. Most systems also allow you to remotely shut off individual circuits, set usage alerts, and receive notifications if something unusual is detected — like a circuit running unusually hot or a device left on.

How Smart Panels Work

The most well-known smart panel brands right now are Span, Leviton, and Schneider Electric. These systems replace your existing panel entirely and connect to your home's WiFi. Each circuit gets its own smart breaker with current sensors, and all that data flows to a central hub and then to your phone. Some systems, like Span, are specifically designed to integrate with solar arrays, battery storage (like Tesla Powerwall), and EV chargers — letting you prioritize which circuits get power during an outage or when running on battery backup.

Why Ottawa Homeowners Are Interested

Smart panels are gaining traction in Ottawa for a few key reasons. With rising Hydro Ottawa electricity rates, the ability to monitor and shift loads to off-peak hours (Ontario's Time-of-Use pricing) can generate real savings. They're also increasingly popular with EV charger installations and solar+battery setups, where managing multiple high-draw systems intelligently makes a significant difference. If you're already planning a 200A panel upgrade, the incremental cost to go smart is often worth considering.

From a code and permitting standpoint, smart panel installation in Ontario follows the same rules as any panel replacement — an ESA permit is required, the work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor, and an ESA inspection is required before the system is energized. This isn't a DIY project under any circumstances.

Cost in the Ottawa Market

Smart panels carry a premium over conventional panels. In Ottawa, expect to pay roughly $3,500 - $6,000 installed for a smart panel replacement, compared to $1,500 - $2,500 for a standard panel swap. The higher cost reflects both the equipment itself (Span panels retail around $3,500 CAD) and the additional configuration work. If a service upgrade from 100A to 200A is also needed, budget an additional $1,000 - $1,500 on top of that.

For most homeowners, a smart panel makes the most financial sense when it's part of a larger project — a panel upgrade, solar installation, or EV charger setup — rather than as a standalone replacement.

If you're curious whether a smart panel makes sense for your home, Electrical Ottawa offers free consultations to walk through your options. You can also find vetted electricians and other licensed contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network at ottawaconstructionnetwork.com.