Looking Back to Move Forward
2022 was a year of transition in both residential and commercial spaces. As much of the workforce returned back to the office and factories, a new hybrid scenario appeared – balancing working from home combined with going back into commercial buildings, including manufacturing facilities. Remote flexibility became the new norm. This certainly created challenges for electrical manufacturers, distributors and contractors. But from challenges evolved solutions. Understanding the rhyme and reason of innovations developed in 2022 will create opportunities for expansion into 2023 for all markets – residential, commercial and industrial. Let’s take a step back to refresh some of the major trends and products from 2022 to move forward. |
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Highlights of 2022
The biggest change was incorporating IoT technology everywhere in everything for every market and keeping an eye on important trends from global to local. Leviton addressed these changes and continued to expand their portfolio. Although there were numerous product solutions for all markets, here are some of the “top sellers”:
- Increased Sustainability and EVSE came to the forefront. In 2022 Leviton became leaders in environmental stewardship by announcing their global commitment to reduce the carbon footprint. Worldwide focused on implementing electric vehicles to replace all gas-powered cars by 2030. Leviton answered the call with Evr-Green®, an expansive portfolio of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for residential, commercial and public use. The newest was the Evr-Green 4000, a public use, high-power DC Fast charger.
- To increase productivity and safety in industrial facilities, Leviton focused on IoT applications, with a specific target on predictive maintenance for increased productivity and employee safety. Leviton’s extensive LEV Series line of Pin & Sleeve devices were designed to safely keep motors running in the harshest industrial environments. The Pin & Sleeve line is made up of two product types: 1) the core devices that include connectors, plugs, inlets and receptacles; and, 2) the mechanical interlocks and safety disconnects, which are enclosed ON/OFF switches that enable staff and maintenance to safely turn On and OFF electrical power to heavy equipment. Utilizing Leviton’s exclusive Inform™ Technology visual indicators show if a plug and connector is energized and provides alerts when hazardous conditions are detected within a mechanical interlock.
- In the residential arena, Leviton focused on expanding their Decora Smart portfolio of smart lighting, fan-speed and load controllers, while adding unparalleled insight into energy usage and superior load control with the Leviton Load Center and smart circuit breakers. A big innovation was the capability to bring older homes into the “smart” era with the Leviton Decora Smart® No-Neutral solution. This enables smart lighting control in older homes built prior to the 2011 NEC Code, which didn’t require a neutral wire. The No-Neutral solution includes a compact Wi-Fi bridge and corresponding smart Decora wall switches and dimmers and can be controlled via the MyLeviton app.
- Accurate energy monitoring and tenant billing have become a priority for many residential and commercial multi-tenant facilities. Leviton offers a complete system to accurately measure and monitor energy usage for a wide range of facilities. Leviton’s VerifEye™ utility metering and monitoring system includes a comprehensive and scalable line of submeters, communication products and energy information software solutions for multi-tenant billing and energy management.
- For commercial buildings, Leviton expanded their innovative and versatile Smart Wallbox Sensors to combine occupancy/vacancy sensing with dimming or ON/OFF switching. With the Smart Sensor App, additional capabilities such as sensor sensitivity, timeouts and daylight harvesting can be remotely configured.
Trends and Innovations to Watch in 2023
It’s almost impossible to find a crystal ball that can predict what’s ahead. But as the saying goes, “history repeats itself” and we learn from the past to move forward. Just as we are thinking COVID is behind us, there is a constant outcropping of new concerns and variants, which means that many people are still cautious to return to offices and factories. Leviton will keep an eye on innovations and trends to address the changing markets.
Every January, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) provides a glimpse into emerging electrical consumer products. These reveal trends about how manufacturers will impact consumers lives with products for their homes. The biggest trends for the home include intelligently managing the loads of appliances, as well as lighting control and of course, the latest developments in EVSE.
IoT is here to stay and expand and Leviton will continue to provide innovations to stay on top of emerging technologies. Here are some of Leviton’s predicted innovations:
- Increasing Smart Home Applications: Leviton will continue to expand on their residential Load Center for both old and new homes. With more features added to the Decora Smart products, users can monitor and control individual circuits, as well as automate, schedule and control lighting, fans and other loads via the My Leviton app and their mobile device.
- EVSE Expansion: Electric vehicles and chargers will expand exponentially in 2023 and beyond. An increase of public use and DC fast chargers are planned to be installed along heavy traffic corridors, which is essential for high mileage/long distance driving and large fleets, as well as in commercial spaces, such as office buildings and in retail locations. In the residential environment, owners of the latest Leviton Level 2 EV chargers will be able to access them via the My Leviton app. Using their mobile device, owners can view and monitor their charging status and even toggle ON/OFF the Charger.
- Multi-functional Integrated Products: Expect to see more integrated products that have multiple functions. Leviton introduced the SmartlockPro® GFCI Combination USB fast-charge wall outlet combo that offers the trusted safety of Leviton GFCI protection with the advantage of powerful USB charging. Look for Leviton to continue to offer new innovative combination devices for every room and every scenario.
- Keeping an Eye on Energy Usage: Leviton will continue to expand on their lines of code-compliant energy management devices. From VerifEye submetering products to their comprehensive line of commercial sensors and lighting controls, making energy management and code compliance easier and more profitable in 2023.
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Partnering with Leviton Keeps you
In-the-Know
Every electrical installation must comply with the local building codes. Leviton offers guidance in the form of a free printed pocket guide and mobile device application focused on NEC® code updates through the Leviton Captain Code program. This guide provides quick and easy access by code article, product solution or by application. The latest printed guides can be found at participating distributor locations, visit Leviton.com/captaincode for more information.
In addition, government mandates, tax incentives and rebates play a major role in the EV growth in the US. But there is a lot of confusion because of the many different programs and can vary from state to state and even town to town. And, as mentioned, some states have set future dates as goals to prohibit the sale of gasoline powered vehicles. Visit Leviton.com/evrgreen for a comprehensive listing of incentives and rebates by state. |
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| By partnering with Leviton, you can stay on top of the latest policies and safety and energy codes either through our comprehensive web-based portals, updated guides or through a host of mobile apps, just visit Leviton.com. And as always, throughout the year we will continue to bring you pertinent information on trends and product articles in every Insider issue. |
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| Leviton Mfg. Company Inc. |
201 North Service Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
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