Advice on my new workshop

[lonewolf41]

Got the exterior up and now I am looking to the interior. Need to get a plan for the electric. The whole building is 2400 square feet. It is on a separate lot by itself and will have it's own service directly to the power lines. I will have a 420 square foot efficiency apartment inside of it. I am thinking I need a 200 amp service for the garage/workshop area and a separate 200A panel for the apartment. Here's why.

The apartment will be all electric and have the usual appliances...stove/range, washer, dryer, microwave, etc...but the thing that it a little unusual is the water heater is tankless so it takes 3 40A circuits by itself. I will probably be installing a mini-split as well. I am thinking 200A panel for the apartment is where I need to be.

The workshop will have 240V welder, 120V welder, air compressor, and the usual circuits for drill press, grinders, all the goodies. Lights are LED so there will not be much there, but I do have 20 light fixtures to install. I will also have a 30A circuit for my car lift. Not sure if the hoist will be electric or not yet, but I have a 1 ton hoist beam in place. I don't want to be short on outlets, etc, so there will be plenty of those around the perimeter. I would like to at some point heat and cool it. Seems like a 200A panel is appropriate for the workshop portion as well.

The first question is does a 200A panel for each section seem reasonable? Secondly, if so, how do I make that happen? Are most meters rated for more than 200A? If not, is there a 400A meter that I could then come off of and go to each panel? Everything after the panels is easy, I am just not sure how to get the correct power/service I need to the breaker panels.

TIA for any advice/help.

 

[Norcal]

I would suggest gas for the apt. WH, propane if NG is not available, the 200A service will not be adequate if a electric tankless is chosen, if the apt. is going to be rented out, a standard electric WH will work if your not paying the electric bill.

 

[lonewolf41]

Thanks for the feedback. The apartment will not be normally occupied. It is really only there as I have to have a dwelling/living area due to zoning. I figure I can throw some work clothes in the wash and take a shower if I need to, but it will not normally be used...thus the decision to install the tankless water heater and keep it very minimal.

 

[sberry]

@00 is so much more simple for most people, I personally wouldnt add on service for a water heater. But in a smaller normal recharge, turn it down a little or even switch it off.

 

[slow]

If you rarely plan on using the apartment, I would do a single 200 amp service for both.

Unless you plan on major hvac loads, I do not see 400 amps of service with your setup.

 

[dscheidt]

Thanks for the feedback. The apartment will not be normally occupied. It is really only there as I have to have a dwelling/living area due to zoning. I figure I can throw some work clothes in the wash and take a shower if I need to, but it will not normally be used...thus the decision to install the tankless water heater and keep it very minimal.

Install a small tank water heater, and leave it turned off. When you need hot water, turn it on.

 

[themiller]

Are you planning to shower at the same time you're welding in the garage? While baking a cake in the oven? And running a die grinder on the compressor? All while running the AC and car lift up and down for giggles?

This seems waaay overkill.

 

[Norcal]

Install a small tank water heater, and leave it turned off. When you need hot water, turn it on.

This will be the most economical solution because a tankless WH will require a larger then 200A service with all the other loads considered.