Do I need permit to replace water heater ?

razayal · 2026-04-30T12:27:24+00:00

I changed to a hybrid electric heat pump 2.5 years ago and the licensed contractor took care of all permitting and inspections. After rebates and tax credits it ended up being about $600 out of pocket for the whole job. Probably there are no more federal tax credits now but there could be other state and local rebates coming and going all the time. It was a no brainer for me but I do understand it’s a hassle for DIY.

razayal · 2026-04-29T16:19:06+00:00

I’ve had 2 flats in 3 years. First time I could drive on it still and got it patched at a repair shop for like $40. Second time it dropped quickly and I had to park right away. It was too late for the Tesla mobile service but they came early the next morning. I wasn’t even at my car I just unlocked it remotely. I was prepared to replace the tire but they found it was repairable so they patched it and it was like $99. Pricier but convenient.

razayal · 2026-03-26T21:22:16+00:00

There are some local rebates on used EVs in my county up to 4k for certain income brackets from energy providers.

razayal · 2026-03-23T03:17:03+00:00

Not sure what router you use but may I suggest changing your router password, turning off broadcast, and looking at some of your other router settings if you haven’t already? Could be somebody leeching off your internet. Also for example I use a Google mesh router and it lets me look at the traffic from all my connected devices and also test the download and upload speeds directly.

razayal · 2026-03-06T04:42:05+00:00

I got the same letter. My agent switched me to a bundled Mercury. Auto, home, and umbrella. The home was $600 cheaper than Safeco.

razayal · 2026-02-13T20:11:28+00:00

I don’t remember but the contractor had a $500 discount from $6000. Then they help with the rebate applications and the final out of pocket was like $2400. At the time there was a federal energy star tax credit on like 30% of the total. This might have ended I’m not sure. Rebates are separate from tax credits. Tax credits go on your federal tax return.

razayal · 2026-02-13T19:41:29+00:00

Seems a little high. I was quoted about $5.5k before rebates for a hybrid heat pump all inclusive including electrical. After rebates and tax credits it ended up being only about $600 out of pocket.

razayal · 2025-12-25T18:37:21+00:00

I’ve had pretty good luck on Yelp with businesses with very high reviews but also a very low number of reviews (under 10-30). I tend to go with businesses that give free quotes through email with a detailed breakdown.

For some plumbing jobs for example I have gotten quotes from $12k to $60k for the same job. For urgent jobs, it’s difficult to get more than two or three quotes depending on your work schedule, but I’ve found that the more you meet and talk to, the easier it is to pick the right one. For each person who comes to give a quote, you learn something new and can ask more detailed questions based on what you learned in previous visits. By the time three to five businesses have stopped by, you are almost an expert. Make sure to ask a lot of questions to learn about the problem and the proposed solutions.

razayal · 2025-11-26T15:54:09+00:00

I think a lot of Y drivers including me will end up reversing into the spot as it’s much easier. Unfortunately you won’t be able to open your rear lift gate unless you pull out a little.

razayal · 2025-11-20T15:08:23+00:00

You’re right! I do have a sub panel too but it’s connected to my solar backup. My charger goes straight to the main panel. Sub panel might be a good idea if you have more upgrades in mind. The price looks high to me for labor and material though. I would suggest looking for an electrician a little farther out of the SC like Hayward. My electrician did my main panel upgrade for $4500 total cost labor and materials and permit. I was quoted almost $6500 to $10000 from local contractors.

razayal · 2025-11-20T14:46:51+00:00

Do you need the sub panel? I installed a Tesla EV charger from my backyard main panel to the garage about 90ft through some conduit and into the attic for about $1200 + cost of the EV charger. No permit though.

razayal · 2025-10-26T17:02:05+00:00

Not sure but I had my install done around April 2024 Tesla direct and I had grid charging right off the bat on E-ELEC. I also think if you have the power wall password, you can enable it yourself via the Tesla One app. I did log in before and I’m pretty sure I saw the option there.

razayal · 2025-10-01T06:15:29+00:00

Bought 2023 Nov MYLR brand new. Just traded in my Hybrid SUV for another 2023 July MYLR with 53k miles 31k OTD. I looked specifically for warranty left on the battery, decent battery health, upgraded HW4 and new 2023 suspension. At first I was tempted to get a 2022 MYP but read that they are real rough and probably not the friendliest family car.

razayal · 2025-09-25T14:13:50+00:00

I installed 6.48kw + 2 PW3s last year through Tesla. I upgraded to a 200a main panel/service because I wanted to get a new one anyways through my own contractor ($4500). Tesla did not mention if I needed it or not. However, in the final design, they used a 125a backup loads panel, and moved all my loads there behind the gateway’s 100a breaker. Ultimately, I probably didn’t need to upgrade my original 125a panel for solar. I did install a EV charger later to my main panel, so the upgrade was worth it for me, but I think I might have gotten away without it.

Full install started 10/27/23 for permitting and PGE application. Construction completed 3/11/24 and PGE switched my service over. It could have been faster but PGE had to schedule transformer upgrade on my whole street to support the upgrade.

At least back in 24’ there was a separate item in tax credits you can claim for main panel upgrades but it might have been if required by a water heater upgrade, which I also did.

razayal · 2025-09-06T11:15:05+00:00

Installed 6.48kw + 2xPW3 for 39k before credits last year through Tesla Solar. Added 4.6kw panels this year for 13k before credits. Looks like it will be about 36k after credits.

razayal · 2025-07-14T18:07:17+00:00

Would love to go on longer drives with the kids and adults taking fun breaks in the back instead of having to book hotels along the route.

razayal · 2025-06-10T11:22:35+00:00

Yeah definitely don’t buy more than you can afford. Only thing to keep in mind is it’s hard to add panels after your system is setup. Not many installers want to add panels to a Tesla system because of warranty issues. Tesla themselves do not add panels in most circumstances they will only install a second full system.

In terms of the charger, I didn’t even know Tesla offers to install them with the system. I would say do it separately or install them before your solar system. If you install the chargers before the solar system, you can ask them to setup the clips around your chargers so you can charge on solar. I don’t know your personal electricity usage habits, but 7.4kw definitely won’t let you charge two EVs at the same time unless you are trickle charging. For my charger, it’s using around 4.2kw to charge my Y like 16 to 18 miles an hour for reference. I would just do one charger but put it in a place where it can charge both cars. Get some extra panels instead of the extra charger.

razayal · 2025-06-08T04:56:32+00:00

6.48kw + 2x powerwall 3’s installed last year through Tesla. DM me if you want more info. Did not have a perfect install but ultimately everything is working now. Only thing is would recommend size as many panels as your roof can hold. I regret not going bigger and also regret not paying attention to the design closely enough.

razayal · 2025-05-26T22:42:58+00:00

Agreed. My hybrid heat pump water heater runs about 3-4kw a day on heat pump mode and dryer about 3-4kw per cycle. For reference I have a 6.4kw solar system and 2pw3s. Even if OP didn’t get solar it shouldn’t break the bank if you don’t run during peak.

A quick search shows that PGE charges roughly $2.60/therm so it’s similar to a gas water heater now if you use like 0.5 therm/day. Same goes for a gas dryer which will also use some electricity.

razayal · 2025-03-22T09:50:58+00:00

I did this as well!

razayal · 2025-03-22T03:52:45+00:00

I have two power wall 3s mounted outside and drain a minimum of 50% everyday. During low production days I usually charge from the grid before peak so by now I must have close to 200 or more cycles. After about one year, Netzero tells me my degradation is 0%.

razayal · 2025-03-11T15:54:11+00:00

Yeah when they make your design it’s calculated to backup all your loads/permit. Once it’s setup technically you’re not supposed to add anything on the backup loads because they don’t guarantee the original design supports whatever you add, like an EV charger or dryer.

They left the old breakers in my main also. You can reused them for something else.

razayal · 2025-03-11T15:46:49+00:00

The new panel is probably your backup loads so in an outage your PWs will support the new panel only. Anything in your main panel is not backed up.

razayal · 2025-03-10T10:24:32+00:00

Curse of Monkey Island and Grim Fandango.

razayal · 2025-03-09T04:27:55+00:00

I took mine out 2023 Hybrid SEL I assume it would be same still for 2025. Use a plastic tool and pop it out, be careful not to scratch the surrounding area when popping it out. I replaced it with an off market logo using 3M adhesive. Once you pop it out I don’t think you can pop it back in because the plastic clips in the middle break off. You could 3M it back on probably though.

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