Adding 220V after the fact?

[TeeJayHoward]

We were going to build our dream house. Had everything planned out. And then a house came on the market that was 99% of what we wanted at a 10% lower price. So, we did what most people would do. We settled. This means that my new garage doesn't have a 220 line for electric cars or welders or any of that. Instead it has a "freezer outlet", which I assume is just a dedicated 120 outlet. Has anyone ever added a 220 line after the house was built, and if so, what did it cost?

Come to think of it, CAN I even add 220 to my garage? There's not anything fancy needed, right? I'm in your typical in-town subdivision.

(Bonus question: So I don't look like an idiot when talking to the electrician, are 110/115/120V and 220/240V interchangeable terms?)

edit: 200 amp electrical panel. Figure that's probably important to know.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Yes, costs maybe $4/foot, and your box needs to have a free spot for a 220 breaker, or be replaced.
Most electric car chargers require a dedicated circuit if you want any warranty so that doubles the amount of wire to buy...

If you can handle 110 wiring no new skills or tools are required.

 

[TeeJayHoward]

Yes, costs maybe $4/foot, and your box needs to have a free spot for a 220 breaker, or be replaced.
Most electric car chargers require a dedicated circuit if you want any warranty so that doubles the amount of wire to buy...

If you can handle 110 wiring no new skills or tools are required.

Excellent to hear. I have no desire to perform the work myself. I'll gladly pay to have someone else do it.

I just thought of this. The house is wired for a hot tub, but there is no tub. Those are normally 220, right? Could I attach a rotary-screw air compressor where the hot tub would have been and just run a long air line to the garage? Or is having a compressor outdoors a bad thing? I really don't want anything louder than the A/C, because HOA and neighbors and all that. I hear that rotary screw compressors are about as noisy as a fridge, and that would be perfect.

 

[matt_i]

If you are ever, ever going to run another circuit besides the planned 220vac run, I would step up to at least a 60A main lug load center. The wire cost is going to be incrementally more, yes, but then you can add several circuits in your garage, very easily.

Personally I wouldn't place a multi thousand dollar screw compressor outdoors where a hot tub could potentially go.

 

[pattenp]

Use 120/240 as voltage. The easiest way to add 240V to garage and perhaps more 120V outlets depends on location of main service panel. Could be easiest to run more circuits from main panel or run one larger feeder to subpanel in garage.

 

[slow]

Location, house construction, location of load center all determine cost to add.

Most houses have room to add, but your panel may not have enough space, requiring a larger panel or a sub.

 

[justsam]

Is garage attached to residence?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Excellent to hear. I have no desire to perform the work myself. I'll gladly pay to have someone else do it.

I just thought of this. The house is wired for a hot tub, but there is no tub. Those are normally 220, right? Could I attach a rotary-screw air compressor where the hot tub would have been and just run a long air line to the garage? Or is having a compressor outdoors a bad thing? I really don't want anything louder than the A/C, because HOA and neighbors and all that. I hear that rotary screw compressors are about as noisy as a fridge, and that would be perfect.

Whats the ampacity of the hot tub circuit?

Whats the HP rating on the compressor?

 

[TeeJayHoward]

Is garage attached to residence?

Yes.

Whats the ampacity of the hot tub circuit?

Whats the HP rating on the compressor?

I don't know. We're still in the process of buying the house. As for the HP rating, I haven't purchased the compressor yet. I imagine it'd be a "little" 5HP compressor, since I have no need for SCFM > 16@90PSI.

 

[nadogail]

Under the right circumstances adding a 30 Amp, 240 Volt circuit for an electric car can be a piece of cake. I did that for my son's Nissan Leaf just a couple of weeks ago.

The main panel is in the garage, and I was able to staple the cable to the exposed beams.

The most difficult part was patching the existing drywall after the cable was snaked through the plate and studs.

 

[bczygan]

We were going to build our dream house. Had everything planned out. And then a house came on the market that was 99% of what we wanted at a 10% lower price. So, we did what most people would do. We settled. This means that my new garage doesn't have a 220 line for electric cars or welders or any of that. Instead it has a "freezer outlet", which I assume is just a dedicated 120 outlet. Has anyone ever added a 220 line after the house was built, and if so, what did it cost?

Come to think of it, CAN I even add 220 to my garage? There's not anything fancy needed, right? I'm in your typical in-town subdivision.

(Bonus question: So I don't look like an idiot when talking to the electrician, are 110/115/120V and 220/240V interchangeable terms?)

edit: 200 amp electrical panel. Figure that's probably important to know.

You can have a 240V outlet installed anywhere you want. Inside,outside, all around the town. It's no big deal!

Bill