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A GreenBuildingAdvisor contributor describes adding a separate electrical enclosure to fit an electricity monitor for a heat-pump subpanel. The account highlights a space constraint and an additional breaker needed for the monitor’s electrical reference; panel work carries safety and code risks and should be handled by a licensed electrician when the homeowner lacks the required expertise.
A homeowner writing for GreenBuildingAdvisor says he installed a Refoss EM16P electricity monitor for a heat-pump subpanel by mounting the monitor in a separate enclosure above the panel. The installation addressed a practical obstacle for whole-home energy tracking: the subpanel had room for the monitor’s current transformers, but not for the monitor itself.
The contributor has monitored electricity use in his all-electric home since 2022. After a basement remodel, the electrical setup grew to include a 200-amp main panel, a basement subpanel, an HVAC subpanel, a panel beneath the meter and a photovoltaic system. He says three monitors are already installed and that he still needs one more. His report focuses on adding monitoring to the HVAC subpanel supplying two heat pumps.
Although the HVAC panel looked spacious, the monitor’s main unit was too large to fit inside. The current transformers (CTs) could fit around the relevant conductors, but they needed to connect to the monitor. The contributor’s solution was to install a weatherproof enclosure above the subpanel and connect the two with fittings and conduit. He says the work took about 30 hours and required several trips to hardware stores.
The panel had an opening at the top that made the connection possible, according to the report. The contributor used a fitting made for the panel’s opening and one-inch conduit, which he says was just large enough. He also describes drilling to release a difficult knockout in the separate enclosure. The monitor’s antenna sits outside the box to connect to Wi-Fi.
The installation also required an additional breaker. The monitor needed power and electrical references for both sides, or phases, of the panel. The contributor says the existing outlet breaker provided one reference, but the heavier-gauge heat-pump wiring was not suitable for the pigtail approach he had considered for the other. He says he installed a fourth breaker, matching the outlet breaker, rather than connecting a monitor wire directly at a heat-pump breaker.
Monitoring a Crowded Heat-Pump Panel
The report shows how the physical layout of a panel can limit an energy-monitoring project even when there appears to be room for sensors. For homeowners tracking heat-pump use, a monitor that cannot fit inside the panel may require a different enclosure arrangement, compatible fittings and additional wiring decisions. Those decisions are not merely about device placement: the contributor’s account describes power and phase references, breaker selection and panel-specific hardware.
That makes the project relevant to people considering energy monitoring in homes with multiple panels or later additions. It also underscores that a solution that worked with this particular panel and enclosure is not automatically appropriate for another installation. Electrical panels can present serious shock and fire hazards, and local electrical codes vary. The report itself advises readers without the necessary experience to consult a licensed electrician.
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From One Panel to Several
The contributor began monitoring his all-electric home in 2022, when there was only one panel to cover. A basement remodel added complexity, leaving several panels and separate electrical equipment to account for. The latest project described in the report was aimed at the HVAC subpanel powering two heat pumps.
The article is a first-person account, not a general installation guide or an independent evaluation of the Refoss monitor. Its details about the Square D panel opening, the enclosure, conduit and added breaker apply to the setup the contributor describes. He says the monitor has continued working since installation, but the report does not provide energy-use results or a quantified assessment of the system’s performance.
“The monitor is clearly too large to fit into my subpanel.”
— GreenBuildingAdvisor contributor
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Limits of the Installation Report
The account does not specify the monitor’s measured accuracy, how much electricity the heat pumps used, or whether the project produced energy savings. It also does not establish whether the same enclosure, conduit routing or breaker arrangement would comply with code in another home. The contributor notes that electrical requirements vary by jurisdiction and recommends checking local rules and consulting a licensed professional.
The source describes one homeowner’s completed installation, but does not provide an independent inspection, an electrician’s assessment or details of any permit review. The exact wiring method and its suitability for other panel models therefore remain matters for a qualified professional to assess on site.
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Professional Review Before Panel Work
The contributor says the monitor was working after setup; the report does not identify a scheduled follow-up, inspection or additional milestone. Readers interested in monitoring a similar panel should first check the device and panel manufacturers’ requirements and local electrical rules, then ask a licensed electrician to determine whether a separate enclosure, breaker or other changes are appropriate.
Anyone working on a panel must not treat a switched-off breaker as proof that the equipment is safe. The contributor says he shut off the upstream breaker and verified that the subpanel was de-energized before touching anything. That warning is not a substitute for professional training: panel work can expose people to dangerous voltage, and permits or other code requirements may apply.
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Key Questions
What was the problem with installing the electricity monitor?
The Refoss EM16P was too large to fit inside the HVAC subpanel, although its current transformers could fit there. The contributor placed the monitor in a separate enclosure instead.
How did the homeowner make room for the monitor?
He mounted a weatherproof enclosure above the subpanel and connected it using fittings and one-inch conduit. The panel had an opening at the top that helped make the connection possible.
Why did the installation need another breaker?
According to the contributor, the monitor needed power and electrical references for both sides of the panel. He says the existing outlet breaker provided one reference, while the heat-pump conductors were not suitable for the pigtail method he had considered for the other.
Is this a do-it-yourself installation guide?
No. The source is a homeowner’s account, not professional advice. It warns that panel work is hazardous, code requirements vary and readers who are not experienced should consult a licensed electrician.
Did the monitor show energy savings?
The report says the monitor has been working since installation, but it gives no measured savings, energy-use results or quantified performance evaluation.
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