Hi,

We are doing a home remodel and replacing an existing 100A service with a 400A service. We need a little over 300A (tankless electric water heater requiring 150A and the rest of the home all electric HVAC + appliances etc. SFD ~2200 sq. ft.) - the POCO has okayed our project. My main question is: should we be using one 400A panel or can we do 2 200A panels and make it work? Our sub (the electrician) wants to do one 400A but per his quote, that is a lot more than doing 2 200A panels. Am I being overcharged or is that right? $1000 for the 400A panel? I see a Siemens panel on Amazon for ~$500. I'm fairly ignorant of the many terms I see around here (meter socket etc.) but I'm trying to read up. Appreciate your responses. Thanks in advance!

And what is the bid from other contractors for this.
What is the price for this box at Lowe's or home Depo.
Does this price include all of the breakers?
Is this price also installing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

And what is the bid from other contractors for this.
What is the price for this box at Lowe's or home Depo.
Does this price include all of the breakers?
Is this price also installing.

---

Actually the installation price is included as part of the general contract (whole home addition/remodel). But the contract said we pay extra for the parts/material for doing a 400A service. 200A panel materials is included in our cost.

So, unfortunately, I don't know the cost from other contractors for just this part. Also, I saw a 400A panel at HD for about $700 + tax.

I suggest you consider dropping the central tank-less water heater. If that unit pulls 150 A every time it is in use, which means every time you use the hot water your cost to operate it is going to be rather high.

It might be more reasonable to use smaller, under the counter heaters. Have you looked at that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by balajisv

Actually the installation price is included as part of the general contract (whole home addition/remodel). But the contract said we pay extra for the parts/material for doing a 400A service. 200A panel materials is included in our cost.

So, unfortunately, I don't know the cost from other contractors for just this part. Also, I saw a 400A panel at HD for about $700 + tax.

---

In my humble opinion, the difference between the 400 amp panel and two 200 amp panels is small. Let him put in the 200 amp panels at the lessor cost, I doubt you'll ever know the difference.
I also think the tank less water heater is a great idea. Most models are very efficient.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by balajisv

Am I being overcharged or is that right? $1000 for the 400A panel?

---

What does this mean? No self-respecting electrician is going to break down prices on each item of a service upgrade, or even a remodel job. So saying "$1000 for the 400A panel?" is completely meaningless with out the context in which it was used.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by balajisv

I see a Siemens panel on Amazon for ~$500.

---

This is one of the worst things you can do, compare prices of material to Amazon or a home center. The majority of the time it is apple to oranges and again, without the context is an empty comparison.

Thanks for your responses. I am not sure my main question was coming through clearly. Is it in general better/easier (from a reliability, safety and ease of installation/maintenance point of view) to go with a single 400A panel than do 2 200A panels? Let's leave cost aside for the moment. What do we gain/lose by doing so?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by balajisv

Thanks for your responses. I am not sure my main question was coming through clearly. Is it in general better/easier (from a reliability, safety and ease of installation/maintenance point of view) to go with a single 400A panel than do 2 200A panels? Let's leave cost aside for the moment. What do we gain/lose by doing so?

---

balajisv, IMHO, there is little or no difference between using (2) 200 amp panels or (1) 400 amp panel from a safety or maintenance perspective. Personally I would prefer the (2) 200 amp panels...

Thanks @hfcarson. Any reason why? It's a little too late for me to change now (we've gone with the 400A panel) but just wanted to know.

it could be argued that two panels provides some redundancy and more breaker
slots for future addition....?
and it was the less expensive option...
it sounds like this project is done, I like done...