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In the push for sustainable living, households are becoming more dependent on electricity than ever before. This is evident in the growing number of homes with solar panels, electric vehicle charging, heat pumps, and other high-demand electrical appliances.
Alongside this electrification comes increasing pressure on the electrical panel. The electrical panel, the hidden heart of the home, is responsible not just for ensuring the safety of the home against electrical hazards but also for managing electrical loads.
However, according to our latest consumer survey, one in three homeowners (29%) in the USA do not know what the function of the electrical panel is. So, it is no surprise that a substantial number of people are in the dark about the benefits of panel upgrades.
Many homeowners see electrical panel upgrades as costly hidden maintenance that they do not want to invest in unless absolutely required to, unlike other aesthetic-based home improvements that they notice and enjoy daily. It is also not typically expected to be a part of the installation of new appliances like EV chargers and heat pumps. So naturally, there can be pushback when a panel upgrade is recommended.
Just like a car, though, regular servicing is important, and occasional work is needed to keep it running smoothly and safely. It is time for homeowners to think the same way about their electrical panel. They would not drive a car with bald tires or low engine oil, so why risk the safety of their home with an unmaintained, potentially obsolete electrical panel?
When recommending an electrical panel upgrade, here are some benefits you can highlight to your customers that might help get them on board.
Benefits of upgrading the electrical panel
- Enhancing the safety of the home
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical fires account for roughly 51,000 of all fires each year in the United States. It is paramount to ensure an electrical panel can handle a home’s energy demands safely, as this reduces the risk of electrical overloads and potential fire hazards. Electrical standards have changed significantly over the years, so an upgraded modern electrical panel is often required to meet those codes. A new panel can also provide peace of mind for homeowners, who can sleep soundly knowing that their electrical panel is reliable and up to current safety standards.
Replacing the panel becomes particularly important if the customer is experiencing breakers frequently tripping, flickering lights, or has noticed visual signs of corrosion or noises coming from the panel itself, which are signs the current panel is no longer safe.
- Increased capacity and space
By upgrading the electrical panel, homeowners can increase the number of circuits within their home. This is ideal for those planning home renovations or expansions, as they’ll need additional circuits for the added spaces. Even if a renovation is not impending, an updated panel can help accommodate one in the future.
Additionally, although the National Electric Code (NEC) recommends that electrical panels have a minimum capacity of 100 Amps, this is often not enough as homeowners look to add larger loads like heat pumps or even fully electrify their home. If the utility allows it, upgrading the home’s utility size from 100 Amps to 200 Amps can help customers avoid this issue, allowing more power to be drawn from the grid to safely run these many efficient electrical loads being added to the home.
- Avoid a utility service upgrade
In some cases where large loads like an EV charger are being added, customers might find they are now exceeding their home’s electrical service limit and require a utility service upgrade. However, this can be a costly and even more time-consuming process.
Upgrading the electrical panel to a smart alternative, like Schneider Pulse, can help homeowners avoid a utility service upgrade, making it a more obvious choice for customers and an even easier sell for you.
For example, a modern home could easily have six or more large 30, 40 or 50 Amp circuits – like hot tubs, HVAC, EV chargers – in the home. If every one of those circuits was simultaneously powered with a 100 or 200 Amp utility service and electrical panel, they would be overwhelmed and the main breaker would trip. Worse yet, pushing a panel’s limits can shorten its life span.
In this instance, a smart electrical panel would be the equivalent of a smart GPS app during rush hour, intelligently routing vehicles to make the best use of the available roads and infrastructure, while ensuring that emergency vehicles take precedence. Similarly, a smart electrical panel will automatically manage the loads running with little to no disruption for the homeowner, whilst prioritizing the essential ones.
- Smarter energy management
Homeowners who are looking to understand their energy usage and take better control of it to reduce monthly bills and environmental impact can also benefit from a smart electrical panel.
A modern smart electrical panel, like our Pulse panel, offers homeowners advanced energy management that integrates solar and backup power using Schneider Boost and Inverter. Our Square DTM QO electrical panels can become smart by adding our Schneider Energy Monitor and Square D relays, for remote monitoring and control. Both solutions use the Schneider Home app, where homeowners can see their energy use in real time.
Having a clear overview of where their energy is being spent – and where they might be over-consuming – allows homeowners to make better informed decisions about how they use their devices and appliances to reduce energy consumption. With the Schneider Energy Monitor, homeowners can save up to 8% on their electric bill. They can also access one-touch, energy-saving settings like Away Mode, as well as schedule circuits to run things like their hot water heater only as needed.
An upgraded smart panel can also be particularly useful for customers with battery storage. Thanks to the automation offered, the homeowner does not need to think about when to use their stored power to run appliances and devices around the home. With Schneider Pulse and Boost, stored solar energy can automatically be used during peak hours when costs are higher or during power outages. It can also alert the homeowner if high-ampacity items like EV chargers are turned on during peak rate hours, letting them choose whether to charge now from the grid or from the battery, or to schedule charging to begin after peak-rate hours. Savings from these features can really add up, offering homeowners a good return on the investment, which you can highlight.
Are there cost benefits to upgrading the electrical panel?
The cost of a main panel upgrade will be different for each customer based on variables like the age of the property, whether electrical or other infrastructure needs to be brought up to code, or if additional work will be required alongside the panel upgrade and the products being installed.
However, it is worthwhile highlighting to customers how a main panel upgrade can offer them a return on their investment, as a smart panel can use electricity more efficiently and save on their electricity bill. An upgraded electrical panel can also increase the value of the home. Some homeowners can even save on their home insurance policy if certain older, obsolete electrical panels are replaced with safe modern versions. And of course, smart electrical panels can provide massive savings if it avoids the need for a utility service upgrade.
So, whether you are onsite for regular service or for quoting for larger electrical work, it is important to take the opportunity to talk to customers about the state of their electrical panel. By initiating the conversation and helping homeowners fully understand the importance and benefits of a panel upgrade, you can help them better prepare and protect their homes for the future and avoid even more costly electrical work later down the line.
To learn more about Schneider Electric’s range of smart electrical panels and more about simplifying home electrification, visit https://www.se.com/us/en/home/offers/connected-home/
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