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As the global push towards sustainability accelerates, homeowners are increasingly investing in home technology that promotes energy efficiency and better sustainability.
According to our 2023 ‘Rise of Home Energy Efficiency’ survey, improving a property’s energy efficiency was seen as the most desirable home improvement project by the vast majority (86%) of respondents.
Indeed, consumers view household energy use as a priority, with 68% of those surveyed seeking to minimize the amount of energy they use in the home and more than a third (40%) identifying smart home technology as an easy and affordable way of reducing energy bills.
There are several factors driving this change, including:
- Technological advancements – Innovations in renewable technology for the home have helped improve efficiency and reliability. For example, today’s solar panels have higher energy conversion rates, and advanced battery storage solutions allow us to store excess energy for later use. And as electric heat pump technology also continues to improve — now up to three times more efficient than traditional heating systems — they have become a smart upgrade for homeowners.
- Economic benefits – The cost of renewable technologies has significantly decreased over the past decade or so. What’s more, solar panel installations, improved insulation, and smart thermostats have a proven track record of shrinking electricity bills and delivering significant return on investment (ROI). Additionally, governments are increasingly encouraging homeowners to make these changes by offering tax incentives and rebates.
- Energy independence – At a time of heightened energy insecurity across the global energy supply chain, renewable energy technology in the home can help provide homeowners with a reassuring sense of energy independence and security against outages. We all spend more time than ever in our homes, so outages are more than just an inconvenience. They can impact a person’s ability to work and more importantly, endanger aging populations and others using critical medical equipment in the home that cannot be compromised by power shortages.
- Environmental impact – From solar panels to electric vehicles (EVs), homeowners are switching to greener technology to reduce their carbon footprint. By minimizing reliance on fossil fuels, homeowners are contributing towards the mitigation of climate change. And this trend will only continue to rise, a fact that is confirmed by the World Energy Outlook.
The overlooked necessity: upgrading electricity panels
While the benefits of transitioning to sustainable energy are clear, most homeowners are unaware of the need to upgrade their electrical panels, which is something that installers and contractors can help educate them on. The existing panels in most homes are often not equipped to handle the heavy electrical loads or complexities that come with technologies such as advanced HVAC systems, EV chargers, heat pumps, and backup batteries. This is where smart electrical panels come in.
The job of the traditional electrical panel is to protect homes from electrical fires by tripping the electricity when a fault is detected or the circuit or panel are overloaded. A smart panel takes it a step further. Using advanced technology to intelligently manage the electricity used by different appliances and devices, smart panels can balance loads, turn them off when not needed, and ensure the panel’s power limit isn’t exceeded.
Smart panels are a valuable tool to help homeowners reduce their electricity use and get the most out of their available electrical service. But that’s not all. Smart electrical panels are also essential for…
- Safety – Electrical panels that are not designed to manage more complex loads can pose serious safety risks, from electrical fires to a system back feeding into the grid during an outage. For homes that are generating and storing power, having an updated smart panel that can switch between systems safely, and knowing when to shut down certain appliances, is key. The panel is the point of final distribution in the home, linking everything together. And a smart panel controls them all to ensure that all systems are coordinated safely.
- Efficiency – Upgrading to a smart electrical panel can offer efficiency benefits by intelligently managing loads, distributing electricity back to the grid, and reducing energy waste. Advanced smart panels, like Schneider Pulse, for example, can even automatically prioritize using the most sustainable energy source available. This helps homeowners save, especially during peak rate times. It also provides one-touch energy-saving modes, like Low Power mode, for when no one is home. And with homes becoming more and more electrified, we’ll all need to use that electricity as efficiently as possible.
- Future-proofing – By upgrading their electrical panels, homeowners can set their homes up for further advancements in renewable technologies and increasing energy demands. By making the move to smart panel technology, they can more easily accommodate the future installation of things like EV chargers, backup batteries, and heat pumps. A smart electrical panel can manage these heavy and complex electrical loads to help avoid the need to upgrade the main panel — or even the service level, which can be costly and take months in some cases.
Indeed, upgrading electrical panels should not be a reactionary measure taken only when problems arise, or seen as an unexpected expense homeowners learn about after they have purchased an EV car and charger. It’s estimated that as many as 48 million homes* in the USA would require a panel upgrade to accommodate an EV charger. So, educating homeowners about the proactive approach they can take in preparation for the installation of this larger load — and the efficiency and sustainability benefits offered — is key.
Here’s how electricians and contractors can help:
- Education and awareness – Electricians and contractors have a vital role to play in educating homeowners about the importance of upgrading electricity panels. By highlighting the long-term benefits, and potential risks of outdated systems, they can help homeowners make informed decisions. In fact, our blog explores how to talk to homeowners about a main panel upgrade.
- Consultation and assessment – Over 60 million homes in the USA have a panel that is not up to current code, so assessing the current electrical system and determining whether it can handle future upgrades is key for contractors. Electrical contractors can also provide detailed reports and recommendations, tailored to the homeowner’s plan for adopting renewable technologies.
- Incremental upgrades – Even if homeowners are yet to purchase an EV or are not ready to install solar panels immediately, electricians can implement incremental upgrades to the system. This can help ensure it can accommodate these additions in the future, as these larger loads will ultimately become common in our homes. Schneider Pulse panel, for example, is designed with the most advanced technology and helps provide faster installation and improved reliability. Alternatively, electricians can use Square D QO Plug-on Neutral panels alongside the same controllable relays and monitor that can be used in the Pulse panel. It’s a scalable and modular solution and can be installed at any time for flexible upgrades.
As we all continue our efforts to secure a greener tomorrow, the adoption of renewable technologies for the home will become increasingly common. Homeowners who upgrade their electrical panels today are not only enhancing the safety and efficiency of their homes but also ensuring they are ready for the future.
It’s clear that a significant number of homes will need to replace their panel, whether it be to meet the current code or to cope with the growing electrical demand from EV, solar, and other home electrification projects. When on-site, there is an opportunity for electricians to get customers thinking about how they can future-proof their homes by recommending a smart panel such as Pulse to optimize their energy usage, be ready for a shift to renewables, and ensure optimal safety.
To learn more about Schneider Electric’s range of smart panel solutions and simplifying home electrification, visit https://www.se.com/us/en/home/offers/connected-home/
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