Versatile Smart Panel from ABB Earns 2025 Spark Innovation Award

The NAHB Leading Suppliers Council (LSC) recently announced ABB as the winner of the 2025 Spark Award for its ReliaHome™ Smart Panel. The annual Spark Award recognizes the most innovative LSC member who demonstrates superior knowledge and expertise in developing cutting-edge building products and services.

Brian Schmalberger, ABB’s residential market development manager, said it is a great honor to receive this year’s Spark Award and that it’s a reflection of the ABB team’s dedication to creating new and exciting innovations in the housing market.

“ABB has made significant investments in its residential team and portfolio, and recognition from NAHB with the Spark Award demonstrates our commitment to providing home builders and contractors with innovative solutions that help them build the homes their clients want,” Schmalberger said.

The ReliaHome™ Smart Panel is a home energy management solution designed to optimize and dynamically control the home’s highest-consumption loads, ultimately saving home owners money on their energy bills. The panel complements the home's existing circuit breaker panel by providing measurement and remote control of up to twelve 120V circuits or six 240V circuits.

Schmalberger says that in addition to the product’s proven reliability, its universal integrations help set it apart from the competition.

“[The ReliaHome™ Smart Panel] is unique in that it can be installed alongside any manufacturer's load center, making it ideal for both new home construction and renovation projects,” Schmalberger said. It’s also designed to be compatible with any solar+storage system or stand-by generator system.

The energy management features can help avoid the need for potential electrical service upgrades or larger load centers required to handle more electric appliances and EV chargers. Moreover, the trouble-free installation for builders and ease of use for home owners are additional benefits Schmalberger attributes to the award-wining product.

“It’s an easy-to-install product that comes pre-wired and labeled, providing for a simple installation and commissioning,” Schmalberger said. “And home owners will love the simple-to-use app to customize energy-use scenarios around their [lifestyles] and easily monitor their energy consumption.”

ABB’s ReliaHome™ Smart Panel was among numerous applications from other highly innovative suppliers for this year’s Spark Award. Two runner-up certificates were awarded to those that stood out the most, including:

• First runner-up: LP Building Products for the LP® NovaCore™ Thermal Insulated Sheathing.
• Second runner-up: Whirlpool Corporation for the KitchenAid® Multifunction Over-the-Range Oven with Flush Built-In Design.

ABB will be presented with the Spark Award during a supplier’s reception at The New American Home 2025 in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 23.