SPAN Smart Panel Installation — Capital District's Authorized Dealer

Dragons Electric is an authorized SPAN dealer serving homeowners throughout Schenectady, Albany, Troy, and the surrounding Capital District. The SPAN Smart Panel replaces your traditional electrical panel with a connected, app-controlled system that puts you in command of your home's power. Whether you're adding an EV charger, pairing with a Generac whole-home generator, or simply looking for a smarter way to manage your energy, we install SPAN the right way — with the permits pulled, the inspections met, and the work standing behind a one-year warranty. Call us at (518) 527-8077 to schedule a consultation.

The SPAN Panel is a next-generation electrical panel that replaces the standard breaker box in your home. It looks similar to a traditional panel from the outside, but inside it combines advanced monitoring hardware with a smartphone app that gives you detailed, real-time visibility into exactly how your home uses power.

Unlike a standard breaker box — which tells you nothing — SPAN shows you how much electricity each individual circuit is drawing, right from your phone. You can turn circuits on or off remotely, set usage schedules, prioritize certain loads during an outage, and monitor your monthly consumption down to the outlet level.

SPAN is also the backbone of a truly integrated home energy system. It is designed to work seamlessly with EV chargers, solar systems, home battery storage, and standby generators — including Generac. If you are thinking about adding any of these systems now or in the future, a SPAN panel positions your home to handle them without costly retrofits down the road.

Most homes in Schenectady, Albany, Troy, and the surrounding Capital District were built well over a century ago. They were not designed with today's electrical loads in mind. The SPAN Smart Panel addresses the real-world challenges these homes present.

Full visibility into an aging electrical system. 

Homes over 100 years old often have circuits that were modified, extended, or repurposed multiple times by previous owners. SPAN maps your panel in detail, so you can finally see what is drawing power and where — a major advantage for diagnosing issues before they become emergencies.

Smarter generator integration with Generac. 

Dragons Electric installs both SPAN panels and Generac home standby generators. SPAN integrates directly with Generac systems, allowing you to prioritize which circuits receive backup power during an outage — keeping your refrigerator, medical equipment, or sump pump running while non-essential loads are managed automatically.

EV charger load management. 

Adding an EV charger to an older home often raises questions about whether the panel can handle the additional demand. SPAN's built-in load management monitors your total consumption in real time and automatically adjusts EV charging speeds so you stay within your service limits — without needing to upgrade your service entrance in many cases.

Remote control and peace of mind. 

Whether you are away on vacation or simply in another room, you can monitor and control your home's power from anywhere through the SPAN app. Set limits on certain circuits, receive alerts for unusual usage, and shut off circuits remotely if needed.

Energy awareness that reduces waste.

 When you can see exactly what each circuit costs you per month, it becomes much easier to identify inefficiencies and reduce your utility bills over time.

Installing a SPAN Smart Panel is a structured process. Here is what to expect when you hire Dragons Electric.

Initial consultation. 

We discuss your home's current electrical setup, your goals — whether that's generator integration, EV charging, or general smart-home control — and any specific concerns about your existing panel. This can be done by phone or on-site.

Site assessment. 

We visit your home to evaluate the existing service entrance, panel location, wiring condition, and any factors that could affect the installation. Homes in the Capital District often have unique conditions — knob-and-tube wiring, older service sizes, or previous modifications — and we assess all of it before committing to a scope.

Permit application.

 Steve pulls all required permits with your local municipality before any work begins. This protects you legally and ensures the installation will pass inspection.

Panel replacement. 

On installation day, we shut down the service, remove your existing panel, and install the SPAN Smart Panel in its place. All circuits are transferred, labeled, and tested. Most installations are completed in a single day.

App setup and walkthrough. Once the panel is energized and inspected, we walk you through the SPAN app on your phone — connecting to your panel, identifying circuits, and making sure you are comfortable using the features you care about most.

Inspection. 

We schedule and meet the required municipal electrical inspection. You do not need to take time off work for this — we handle the coordination.

Follow-up. 

Your installation is covered by a one-year warranty. If you have questions after we leave, you can reach us directly.

How much does a SPAN panel cost installed in the Capital District?

The total cost of a SPAN Smart Panel installation in the Capital District — including the panel itself, labor, permits, and inspection — typically ranges from $6,0000 to $10,500 for a standard residential installation. The exact price depends on factors like your home's current service size, the condition of existing wiring, whether the panel location needs modification, and any code-required upgrades discovered during the site assessment. Homes with older electrical systems may require additional work before or alongside the panel swap. We provide a detailed written quote after the site assessment, so you will know the full cost before any work begins. Call (518) 527-8077 to schedule a free consultation.

How long does SPAN installation take?

Most SPAN Smart Panel installations take one full workday — typically six to eight hours. That includes removing the old panel, transferring all circuits to the SPAN panel, testing every circuit, and completing the app setup and walkthrough with you. More complex situations, such as a service upgrade performed at the same time or significant rewiring required due to the condition of existing circuits, may extend the timeline. We give you a realistic time estimate at the end of the site assessment so you can plan accordingly. Your power will be off for a portion of the day during the swap itself, usually three to five hours.

Is SPAN compatible with my Generac generator?

Yes. The SPAN Smart Panel is compatible with Generac home standby generators, and Dragons Electric installs both systems. When SPAN and a Generac generator are paired together, the SPAN app gives you direct control over which circuits are prioritized during a power outage. Rather than a fixed transfer of loads, you can actively manage what runs on backup power — keeping critical circuits like medical devices, the refrigerator, or the sump pump active while shedding non-essential loads to extend generator runtime or stay within its output capacity. If you already have a Generac generator and are adding SPAN, or if you are planning to install both systems at the same time, we can evaluate your setup and integrate the two during a single installation visit.

Do I need a permit for a SPAN panel installation in New York?

Yes. In New York State, replacing an electrical panel — including installing a SPAN Smart Panel — requires an electrical permit issued by your local municipality. A licensed electrician must perform the work, and the installation must pass a municipal inspection before the job is considered complete. Dragons Electric handles all permit applications and inspection scheduling as a standard part of every installation. You will never be asked to deal with the municipality yourself. Homeowners who allow unlicensed contractors to skip the permit process face serious consequences — including problems during a home sale, denial of insurance claims, and liability for code violations. All Dragons Electric panel work is fully permitted and inspected without exception.

Does SPAN work without solar panels?

Yes, absolutely. SPAN is a complete product on its own and does not require solar panels, a battery system, or any other renewable energy component. The panel's core functions — real-time circuit monitoring, remote control through the smartphone app, load management, and generator integration — work entirely on standard utility power. The majority of our Capital District SPAN installations are in homes with no solar at all. SPAN is designed to be a future-ready platform, meaning if you choose to add solar, a battery, or an EV charger later, the panel is already built to integrate with those systems without replacement. If you are simply looking for a smarter, more manageable electrical panel, SPAN delivers that value from day one — no solar required.

The SPAN Smart Panel is one of the most significant upgrades you can make to an older home — giving you visibility, control, and the foundation for a fully integrated energy system. Dragons Electric makes the process straightforward: one licensed electrician, all permits handled, full inspection, and a warranty you can count on.

We serve homeowners throughout Schenectady, Albany, Troy, and the Capital District of New York.

Call us at (518) 527-8077 — calls are answered during business hours, and we return inquiries within one to two hours.

You can also reach us through the contact form on our website at dragonselectric.com. We will get back to you promptly with answers and, if you're ready, a free on-site consultation.

Dragons Electric. Licensed. Insured. Authorized SPAN Dealer. Serving the Capital District since 2011.