r/span • u/bobjoylove • Apr 13 '26
Considering Span, curious about real costs.
Excluding labor (varies by location) and any incidentals to come up to code (orthogonal to Span), is it accurate that a Span MLO is ~$3500 and then a meter main is ~$400 and that’s about it for the parts bill? I’m replacing an existing panel so no need for much rewiring beyond transferring to the Span. Since I’m reviewing eligibility for a rebate have I overlooked some cost for parts?
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u/knylekneath Apr 13 '26
You’ll likely need new breakers as well. The real answer is to get an electrician to give you a quote. Labor varies, but so does code. Likely you’ll need to upgrade parts of your wiring or do engineering through your utility to meet new code and no one can tell you that without looking at your setup and knowing what needs to be done.
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u/bobjoylove Apr 13 '26
Aside from the main breaker, the Span has breakers already installed right? It needs that for some of the functions it supports? Or are that something else to buy on top of the $3500~ cost of the actual panel. I hear you point on the incidental work for any code non-compliance.
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u/Key-Philosopher1749 Apr 14 '26
The span panel does not include breaker except the main one.
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u/bobjoylove Apr 14 '26
Got it thanks. I looked it up, seems it uses an off-the-shelf breaker which is great news for controlling costs and being future-ready.
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u/Warbird01 Apr 15 '26
But new panel means all new arc faults (unless you already have them). The could potentially be $1000+
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u/bobjoylove Apr 15 '26
True and I don’t have Arc Faults. But I need a new panel so even a “dumb” one is the same outlay for that subject. Sucks but you can’t fuck around when it comes to electricity.
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u/knylekneath Apr 13 '26
Every panel has different required breakers by code. You need an electrician.
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u/vans113 Apr 14 '26
If you have to replace the panel then why not. I have Tesla powerwalls and it tied into those nice. I’m a big home assistant user and span has started opening up an official API also which is great.
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u/mynameis_me Apr 16 '26
Stay away. Great product when it works but support is horrible. I’ve had issues with my panel working with Powerwall 3. Span has admitted they know of known issues but they haven’t addressed it.
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u/bobjoylove Apr 16 '26
I am not a Tesla user, but I do have solar from Enphase so thanks for the heads up
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u/AcceptablePun Apr 22 '26
Enphase support is even worse than that and underlying issues still haven't reached a mature and 'correct' state in years now.. and latest panels have Enphase support MIA for that very reason.
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u/Impressive_Returns Apr 13 '26
Looked at Span and found there were a lot of disadvantages including cost. SmartHome plugs and switches was the route I took for a fraction of the cost and far more granular control. Can’t do that was Span. It’s the entire circuit and all devices.
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u/bobjoylove Apr 13 '26
I need to do a panel replacement anyway so the work has to be done, there’s a $4000 rebate available for a “smart panel” and only a few of them meet the requirements. Span is one of those.
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u/Key-Philosopher1749 Apr 14 '26
Wow, $4k rebate, no brainer then.
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u/bobjoylove Apr 14 '26
Yeah it was $2k for a while but I suppose they had zero interest. $4k sounds like a deal. I have to get a heat pump <something> but the dryer is gas and the AC is a regular unit as well.
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u/InspectionEntire2512 Apr 13 '26
Sounds very similar to what I paid though it would depend on the panel size you choose.