| Many homeowners simply use carports and garages | | | | other items (or the boxes in which they were |
| to shield their automobiles and other equipment from | | | | purchased) for recommended or required voltage and |
| the rain, snow and sunshine. But others outfit their | | | | talk it all over with your electrician. This is important |
| enclosed garages, carports and metal storage | | | | because heavy electrical uses may require installation |
| buildings as offices, workshops, artist studios, | | | | of multiple circuits of varying voltages and all must be |
| recreation rooms or one of a million other uses. If | | | | handled according to building and electrical codes and |
| that's the case for you, you'll definitely need to have | | | | regulations. |
| your Carport Empire structure wired for electricity. | | | | For example, several lighting fixtures and receptacles |
| While many of our clients and readers may be | | | | can share the same circuit. If you're using your |
| do-it-yourselfers, we recommend leaving dangerous | | | | enclosed garage, carport or metal storage building for |
| tasks like electrical wiring to the professionals. | | | | simple storage and minimal work or recreation |
| However, thinking through and planning your electrical | | | | activity, a 20-amp circuit with 120-volt receptacles |
| needs will help your electrician determine exactly | | | | may offer plenty of power. However, if you plan to |
| what you need. Preplanning can avoid over-wiring of | | | | spend many hours in your structure, using it as a |
| your structure, saving you thousands of dollars. And, | | | | workshop or office, for instance, you may need |
| it will assure that you don't end up with an | | | | 240-volt capacity or dedicated circuits for larger |
| under-wired structure that lacks the electrical | | | | heaters, appliances such as washing machines and |
| capacity you need. Retrofitting your structure for | | | | clothes dryers, and some power tools. Many |
| added electrical needs could end up costing you even | | | | heavier-duty tools and devices such as electrical |
| more. | | | | saws, compressors and any device with a motor |
| In planning your electrical needs for your enclosed | | | | larger than ¾ HP work more efficiently and |
| carport, garage or metal building, think through how | | | | last longer when run on 240 volts rather than 120. |
| you will use your structure and identify all of the | | | | And many tools are designed to run on 240, |
| ways you'll need power. There are four main | | | | especially automotive tools. |
| categories to consider: lighting, heating, appliances and | | | | Putting some forethought into your electrical needs |
| tools. Make a list of each of the items you'll use on a | | | | will assure that you enjoy maximum power for |
| regular basis that require power. Check the | | | | minimum costs based on your unique usage of your |
| informational panels or stickers on appliances and | | | | enclosed carport, garage or metal carport. |