Smart Panel vs Standard Panel Upgrade
A smart panel is still a panel project. Here is when circuit monitoring and load management justify the premium over a...
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AJ Long Electric installs listed smart electrical panels and smart breakers (SPAN-class, Leviton, Eaton, EcoFlow Smart Home Panel) for circuit monitoring and load management with EV chargers and home batteries. Typical installed cost is $7,500-$9,500 SPAN-class; $3,000-$5,000 Leviton-class.
30 Years
Licensed & Insured
5-Year Warranty
Master Electricians
Upfront Pricing
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Overview
Why install a smart electrical panel?
A smart panel replaces or sits with a conventional load center so each circuit can be monitored and, on some products, controlled. AJ Long Electric evaluates SPAN-class whole-panel replacements, Leviton smart load centers, Eaton smart breakers on compatible panels, and EcoFlow Smart Home Panel integrations. The right product depends on the existing enclosure, the loads you want to manage (EV charging, battery backup, HVAC), and whether you need a full replacement or add-on breakers. This is still a panel project: load calculation, grounding, labeling, and the local permit path apply.
Circuit Visibility
See which circuits carry the load instead of guessing from the monthly utility bill.
Load Management
Some systems shed or share capacity so an EV charger and HVAC can share a constrained service.
Battery Coordination
A smart home panel can decide which circuits stay on battery during an outage.
Same Permit Path
It is still a panel replacement or breaker upgrade, with the same inspection coordination we already handle.
Signs You Need This
You want circuit-level energy monitoring
An EV charger and a heat pump will share a tight 200-amp service
You are installing a wall-pack battery and need automatic circuit selection
You are replacing a panel and want monitoring built in instead of adding it later
Service Areas
Serving Fairfax, Vienna, McLean, Oakton, Burke, Annandale, Falls Church, Arlington & Alexandria.
Local Expertise
Northern Virginia Service Context
Serving the DMV Region
Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun & Prince William Counties
DMV homes adding EV charging and battery backup on 200-amp services often need load management more than a 400-amp heavy-up. A smart panel is one way to share capacity without waiting on a utility service change.
Licensed in Virginia
Master Electrician
Priority Scheduling
Local Since 1996
How It Works
Our Smart Electrical Panels Process
We follow a proven process to ensure your project is completed safely, on time, and to your complete satisfaction.
01
Existing Panel Review
We document the enclosure, bus rating, breaker compatibility, and planned EV, battery, or solar loads.
02
Product Fit
Full replacement versus smart breakers is decided from the equipment and the monitoring or control you want.
03
Written Proposal
Equipment, labor, any service work, and permit coordination are itemized.
04
Installation
The listed panel or breakers are installed, labeled, and commissioned to the manufacturer instructions.
05
App Handoff
Monitoring and any load-management settings are reviewed with the homeowner.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about our smart electrical panels services.
What is a smart electrical panel?
A smart panel adds per-circuit monitoring and, on some models, remote control or automatic load shedding. It is still a listed load center. SPAN-class units replace the entire panel. Leviton and Eaton options can be a new load center or smart breakers in a compatible existing enclosure.
How much does a smart panel cost?
$7,500-$9,500 SPAN-class; $3,000-$5,000 Leviton-class, depending on whether the project is a full panel replacement or add-on smart breakers, plus any service or grounding work the load calculation requires.
Do I need a smart panel for solar or a battery?
Not always. A conventional panel with the right bus rating, backfeed space, and transfer equipment can support solar-ready or battery work. A smart panel is useful when you want automatic circuit selection or load sharing with an EV charger.
Is SPAN the only option?
No. SPAN is one whole-panel product. Leviton smart load centers and Eaton smart breakers are other listed paths. We recommend from the existing equipment and the features you actually need.
Pricing
What Affects the Cost?
Every home is different. Here are the factors that influence pricing for smart electrical panels services.
Full panel replacement versus smart-breaker add-on
Existing enclosure compatibility
Number of circuits to migrate
EV, battery, or solar integration in the same visit
Permit and utility coordination
Typical Timeline
1 day on site
Typical Price Range
$7,500-$9,500 SPAN-class; $3,000-$5,000 Leviton-class
Safety Warnings
•Smart panels are still energized service equipment — covers stay on except for qualified personnel
•Load-management settings must match the installed breaker and conductor ratings
Code Requirements
•Equipment must be listed and installed to the manufacturer instructions and the adopted electrical code
•Service and feeder sizing still follow the applicable load calculation
At a Glance
Smart Electrical Panels Specs & Cost
Typical pricing, timeline, and what's included for smart electrical panels in Northern Virginia.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Typical price range | $7,500-$9,500 SPAN-class; $3,000-$5,000 Leviton-class |
| Typical timeline | 1 day on site |
| Permits & code | Performed to applicable code requirements: Equipment must be listed and installed to the manufacturer instructions and the adopted electrical code; Service and feeder sizing still follow the applicable load calculation |
Related Services
You May Also Be Interested In
Explore other electrical services that complement smart electrical panels.
Panel Replacements & Upgrades
Property-specific electrical panel replacement and service-capacity planning, with load calculations, utility coordination, labeling, and permit-path confirmation.
Learn More
Home Battery & Wall Packs
Listed home battery and wall-pack installation with panel integration, transfer equipment, circuit selection, and permit-path confirmation.
Learn More
EV Charger Installation
Property-specific Level 2 EV charger installation with panel-capacity review, a dedicated circuit, equipment connection, testing, and permit-path confirmation.
Learn More
Electrical Service Upgrades
Upgrade your home's electrical service from the utility meter to the main panel.
Learn More
Our Promise
Why Choose AJ Long Electric for Smart Electrical Panels
AJ Long Electric treats a smart panel as a panel upgrade with extra commissioning, not as a gadget install. The same crew that does the 200-amp replacement can set the monitoring and load-management features.
Licensed
Virginia Licensed Electricians
Insured
Fully Bonded & Insured
30 Years
Serving Northern Virginia
5-Year Warranty
On All Workmanship
Service Areas
Smart Electrical Panels Across Northern Virginia
We proudly provide smart electrical panels services across Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. Click on your area to learn more.
Honest Scope
Where AJ Long Electric Fits — and Where We Don't
Honest scope. We're a residential-trusted electrician that also handles selected light-commercial work. Here's what we take and what we don't.
Best fit
- ·Panel replacements where the homeowner wants circuit monitoring
- ·Homes adding an EV charger and a battery on a constrained 200-amp service
Not the right fit
- ·A monitoring-only clamp meter when the existing panel is in good condition and no control is needed
- ·Unlisted retrofit electronics inside a live enclosure
Guides
Related Guides
Expert electrical guides to help you make informed decisions.
Advanced
Complete Guide to Electrical Panel Upgrades
A comprehensive guide to electrical panel upgrades covering signs you need an upgrade, the process, costs, and what to expect.
15 min read
Read GuideIntermediate
Solar-Ready Electrical Panel Upgrade Guide — Northern Virginia
A solar-ready panel is documented busbar capacity, backfeed space, and grounding — not modules on the roof. Plan it with EV and battery loads so you do not replace the panel twice.
9 min read
Read GuideBeginner
Electrical Panel Maintenance Guide for Homeowners
Essential tips for maintaining your electrical panel, including what homeowners can safely inspect and when professional service is needed.
8 min read
Read GuideExpert Resources
Recommended Reading on Smart Electrical Panels
Guides our licensed electricians point smart electrical panels customers to most often.
Smart Electrical Panels: Are They Worth the Investment?
Smart panels offer monitoring, control, and advanced features. Learn about smart panel options, costs, and whether...
4 min read
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Solar-Ready Electrical Panels in Northern Virginia
A solar-ready panel is an electrical condition — documented capacity and backfeed space — not a roof full of modules....
6 min read
Read Authoritative Sources
- NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC)The NEC is the foundational safety standard for electrical wiring and installation in the U.S.
- Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)Nonprofit dedicated to promoting electrical safety in the home and workplace.
- Fairfax County — Electrical PermitsLocal permitting requirements for electrical work in Fairfax County, VA.