Most home electrical panels haven’t been updated in decades. They sit in the garage or basement — a gray metal box full of circuit breakers, quietly doing their job. That works fine until your energy needs outgrow them.
Adding an EV charger? Going solar? Tired of watching your Xcel Energy bill climb? Your old electrical panel could be the reason.
SPAN smart electrical panels are the answer. SPAN fully replaces your existing panel.
You get real-time circuit-level visibility, smartphone control over every breaker, and built-in load management that can help you skip a costly service upgrade.
We install SPAN panels here in the Denver metro. Here’s everything you need to know — straight from licensed electricians who’ve done the work.
What Is a SPAN Smart Electrical Panel?
SPAN is a company that reimagined the electrical panel from the ground up. Instead of a mechanical box with dumb circuit breakers, SPAN smart electrical panels give every circuit its own dedicated power meter and relay.
You can monitor and control how much electricity each room or appliance draws — in real time — from your phone.
A SPAN panel replaces your existing panel one-for-one. Same location, same wiring connections, same off-the-shelf circuit breakers from Eaton or Square D. The technology underneath is completely different.
SPAN launched its first smart panel around 2020, starting in California and Hawaii. Since then, the company has expanded to all 50 states. In 2025, SPAN launched smaller models to fit smaller homes, ADUs, and subpanel applications.
In early 2026, Eaton invested $75 million in SPAN — confirming that smart electrical panels have moved firmly into the mainstream.
How SPAN Panels Work
SPAN does three things a traditional electrical panel cannot.
1. Circuit-Level Energy Monitoring
Every circuit breaker in a SPAN panel has its own power meter. Open the SPAN Home App and you see a live dashboard — which rooms are drawing power right now, what your HVAC costs per hour, whether your electric water heater is running.
Over time, the app learns your home’s energy consumption patterns and surfaces insights to help lower your energy bills.
2. Remote Circuit Control
You can turn circuits on or off remotely from the app. Set schedules — turn off outdoor lights at sunrise, cut power to the garage at night — or connect SPAN to Amazon Alexa for voice control.
The panel includes built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and a backup 4G/LTE connection so it stays online even if your router goes down.
3. PowerUp: Intelligent Electrical Load Management
PowerUp is SPAN’s built-in energy management system — and the feature that saves Denver homeowners the most money. PowerUp monitors your total electrical load in real time and manages circuits automatically to keep your home within its service capacity.
You can add an EV charger, a heat pump, or an induction range without upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service — a process that typically costs thousands and takes months to schedule through Xcel Energy.
SPAN Smart Panel vs. Traditional Electrical Panel
| Feature | Traditional Panel | SPAN Smart Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit-level energy monitoring | ✗ None | ✓ Real-time, per circuit |
| Remote circuit control | ✗ Manual only | ✓ Full app & voice control |
| Load management (EV charger / heat pump) | ✗ Requires service upgrade | ✓ PowerUp manages automatically |
| Battery backup priority control | ✗ Hardwired at install | ✓ Adjustable anytime from app |
| Solar panel & battery integration | ✗ Separate monitoring needed | ✓ Native integration |
| Save money on energy bills | ✗ No data available | ✓ Circuit-level insights |
| Hardware cost | $300 – $600 | $3,500 – $4,500+ |
| Warranty | Varies | 10 years |
What Does a SPAN Panel Cost in Denver?
Your home’s current electrical setup, panel location, and any required code upgrades all affect the final price. Here is an honest cost breakdown for Denver-area homeowners in 2026.
| Cost Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| SPAN Panel hardware (MAIN 32–40 model) | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| Professional installation (labor, breakers, wiring) | $2,500 – $6,000+ |
| Permits & inspection (City/County of Denver) | $150 – $400 |
| Subtotal before credits | $6,500 – $10,000+ |
| Federal 25C tax credit (standalone install) | − up to $600 |
| Federal 25D credit (if paired with solar — 30% of total) | − up to $2,850 |
| Estimated net cost (standalone, no solar) | ~$6,000 – $10,000 |
Estimates for Denver Metro. Older homes that need service upgrades or significant rewiring may cost more. Consult a tax professional to confirm credit eligibility.
Who Should Get a SPAN Panel in Denver?
SPAN smart panels are not the right fit for every home. Here is a clear look at who gets the most value.
- 🚗 EV Owners & Future EV Buyers — PowerUp lets you add an EV charger without a costly service upgrade, saving $3,000–$8,000 on average.
- ☀️ Solar Panel & Battery Homeowners — SPAN integrates natively with Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, SolarEdge, and FranklinWH — extending battery backup life by up to 40% during a power outage.
- 🏠 Homeowners Adding Electric Appliances — Planning a heat pump, induction range, or electric HVAC? SPAN manages the increased electrical load without triggering a utility service upgrade.
- 📊 Energy-Conscious Homeowners — If your Xcel bill feels too high but you don’t know why, SPAN’s circuit-level data shows you exactly where energy consumption is going to waste.
- 🔨 Homeowners Planning a Renovation — Installing SPAN during a remodel future-proofs your home’s electrical foundation once — instead of tearing into walls again later.
- 🌩️ Backup Power Users — Colorado severe weather is real. SPAN lets you change backup power priorities on the fly from your phone during a power outage — no electrician required.
SPAN Panel Installation: What to Expect in Denver
SPAN requires installation by a SPAN Authorized Installer — a licensed electrician who has completed SPAN’s product training — to maintain the 10-year warranty. This is not a DIY project, and not every electrician holds the certification.
- Site Assessment. A licensed electrician reviews your current panel, service entry, and goals before scheduling anything.
- Permit Pull. An electrical permit is required for panel replacements in Denver and surrounding jurisdictions. We handle this on your behalf.
- Panel Swap. Installation takes 3–8 hours for most Denver homes — similar in scope to a standard panel replacement.
- App Setup & Commissioning. Your electrician walks you through the SPAN Home App, labels your circuits, and sets your PowerUp preferences.
- City Inspection. A city or county electrical inspector signs off on the work. This is required and included in our process.
SPAN’s software updates automatically over the air. Your panel gets smarter over time at no additional cost.
SPAN Panels and Xcel Energy in Colorado
Most Denver metro homeowners are Xcel Energy customers. A SPAN panel aligns well with where residential energy is heading in Colorado.
Xcel has been actively expanding time-of-use (TOU) rate structures that reward customers for shifting high-draw activities — like EV charger use — to off-peak hours. SPAN’s scheduling features make it easy to save money on energy bills without thinking about it.
Colorado’s state electrification goals are also driving demand for smart homes and smarter electrical infrastructure. SPAN’s partnership with NREL — the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, based in Golden, CO — adds real scientific credibility to the technology.
Available SPAN Panel Models (2026)
SPAN now offers a full lineup to fit any home size. All models include SPAN PowerUp pre-installed, NEMA 3R indoor/outdoor rating, and a 10-year warranty.
- SPAN Panel MAIN 16 — Best for smaller homes, additions, and ADUs. The most affordable entry point.
- SPAN Panel MLO 24 — Meter-Less-Only configuration, ideal for subpanel applications in medium homes.
- SPAN Panel MAIN 40 — 40-circuit main panel for mid-to-large homes. The most common residential install in Denver.
- SPAN Panel MLO 48 — Maximum capacity, 48-circuit configuration for large or fully electrified smart homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Upgrade to a SPAN Smart Panel?
The Electricians serve the entire Denver Metro area. We are licensed, SPAN-authorized, and known for honest estimates. 300+ five-star Google reviews. BBB A+. Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite — 5 years running.
Call or text — we answer 7 days a week
CO Lic. #EC.0101962 · Serving Denver, Centennial, Aurora, Littleton, Parker, Highlands Ranch & surrounding areas
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Tags: SPAN Panel · Smart Electrical Panels · Panel Upgrade Denver · EV Charger · Home Electrification · Solar Panel · Xcel Energy · Denver Electrician · Energy Management · Battery Backup · Smart Homes
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Electrical Panels in Colorado Homes
Many homes across Colorado, especially in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and Colorado Springs, were built with electrical panels that were never designed for modern power demands. Cold winters, EV charging, home offices, and newer appliances place added stress on older panels and breakers.
If you are noticing frequent breaker trips, buzzing sounds, or planning an upgrade like an EV charger or heat pump, a licensed Colorado electrician can evaluate whether your panel needs repairs or a full power upgrade.
