Garage door size

[mike93lx]

OK, if you did that - would you still expect the subs to be 100A each?

Could be anything within the limits of the branch circuit size of the meter main.
125a branch circuit breakers are reasonably common, so it could be two of those, or basically any combo of sizes below that

 

[dave*99]

Could be anything within the limits of the branch circuit size of the meter main.
125a branch circuit breakers are reasonably common, so it could be two of those, or basically any combo of sizes below that

I agree - and that is a more reasoned approach than the OP's statement that a 200A service will be providing 100A to the house and 100A to the garage.

125A to each off a meter main is 1 approach,
200A main panel in garage with a 125A branch to a sub in the house is another.
A third is the 100A - 100A approach - but it's not the best of the 3.

 

[mike93lx]

I agree - and that is a more reasoned approach than the OP's statement that a 200A service will be providing 100A to the house and 100A to the garage.

125A to each off a meter main is 1 approach,
200A main panel in garage with a 125A branch to a sub in the house is another.
A third is the 100A - 100A approach - but it's not the best of the 3.

Defaulting to "200 means 2x100" feels like a natural conclusion for someone inexperienced.

I'd be inclined to do a 200 in the shop with the house being a sub off that, but with nec2020 requiring exterior disconnects, a meter main just makes sense now. Not sure if 2020 is an issue for the OP though

 

[Fav Onefour]

Why not go 200 amps each way?
Not a terrible difference in price?

I would definitely consider this option. At least check out the pricing.

I say this often.
Do it right, do it once.

I can give quite a few examples of short term savings that cost big bucks later. It is hard to imagine the power requirements of future upgrades, but they rarely need less power.
It may not be a popular consideration, but EV fast chargers alone would tap that original 100amp without much room for power tools.
We did a three phase conversion at one of our farm sites. Had them do a 300A tformer and subbed out from that point. Dumb move. We spent the money on converting a pile of stuff, but ran out of power for the next upgrade. It only took two years.
We have a nice cabin that was converted to a 200amp service as part of the sale. The previous owners knew more than they admitted. It seemed generous to split the cost on the upgrade. They had converted it to a year around dwelling and used a heat pump. The service is basically tapped already. It must have been unuseable with the 100amp main service.

We updated the main house when we ran geo in 2003. Seemed generous to go with 200 main, 50 sub to garage, and a separate metered 100amp for HVAC. HVAC systems are getting more efficient, so that might hold up. The house would have been fine without the sub. The garage keeps turning into more of a shop. In relative terms, it's going to cost me big bucks to fix the power compared to doing it right the first time.

 

[dave*99]

I would definitely consider this option. At least check out the pricing.

I say this often.
Do it right, do it once.

I can give quite a few examples of short term savings that cost big bucks later. It is hard to imagine the power requirements of future upgrades, but they rarely need less power.
It may not be a popular consideration, but EV fast chargers alone would tap that original 100amp without much room for power tools.
We did a three phase conversion at one of our farm sites. Had them do a 300A tformer and subbed out from that point. Dumb move. We spent the money on converting a pile of stuff, but ran out of power for the next upgrade. It only took two years.
We have a nice cabin that was converted to a 200amp service as part of the sale. The previous owners knew more than they admitted. It seemed generous to split the cost on the upgrade. They had converted it to a year around dwelling and used a heat pump. The service is basically tapped already. It must have been unuseable with the 100amp main service.

We updated the main house when we ran geo in 2003. Seemed generous to go with 200 main, 50 sub to garage, and a separate metered 100amp for HVAC. HVAC systems are getting more efficient, so that might hold up. The house would have been fine without the sub. The garage keeps turning into more of a shop. In relative terms, it's going to cost me big bucks to fix the power compared to doing it right the first time.

Anything running on natural gas? We run 2 furnaces for heat, 2 on demand water heaters, clothes dryer, range and 2 grills on natural gas. The house is fully LED for lightning. There are 2 AC units and a mini-split. I expect my 200A service to be plenty for a long time.

I don't arc weld. I compress air and run saws and a dust collector and a lift.
EVs are a long way off in my plans. And even at that - needing 2 rapid chargers running full tilt is not in my future ever.

 

[ludakris04]

I know it has been said, but 20' wide for two cars gets tight quickly. I have a 20x20 and have only parked two vehicles in it a couple times. Opening doors gets tight quickly. The 26' deep will help with overall feel, but I would definitely hold off on that wall till you live with the space for a while.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Anything running on natural gas? We run 2 furnaces for heat, 2 on demand water heaters, clothes dryer, range and 2 grills on natural gas. The house is fully LED for lightning. There are 2 AC units and a mini-split. I expect my 200A service to be plenty for a long time.

I don't arc weld. I compress air and run saws and a dust collector and a lift.
EVs are a long way off in my plans. And event at that - needing 2 rapid chargers running full tilt is not in my future ever.

Probably plenty on gas.
HVAC incentives required dual fuel, so we have a gas furnace backup. Hot water, cooktop, and the comfort items like wall fire.
One of the upgrades sucked up power and gas. I put in a boiler for snowmelt and did radiant floor in the garage at the same time. It's gas, but needs a little dedicated power.

It is hard to plan for the future. I screwed up. I'd love to add a welder, but I'm out of good juice. I don't have enough for decent woodworking equip. in the garage. I built a nice setup in the house, but it's work managing dust and moving big projects. If the wife goes toward an EV, (she has mentioned the idea.) I want to run enough power for more upgrades.
BTW, I'd also like to do the power upgrade with backup considerations, but that is off this subject.

 

[dave*99]

Unlike electric service - where bigger costs more, gas is different. When they sized my service (new construction) the builder asked if I would ever have a pool heater or a whole house generator. As I was stumbling for words, he commented "just say yes, the gas company does not charge extra for it." So I have a gas meter and gas line that's twice the size of the equivalent house next door.

 

[Harryn]

Is that really how it's done? If you have a 200A drop in the Garage - I would expect a 200A main in the garage and then the house would be on a sub off the main.

Or is your meter double tapped?

You are probably correct on this.... From what I can see there is one 200 amp drop from the pole to a meter and then then to a panel in the garage. In the garage there is no sub panel but one massive breaker 100amps that feeds the house? If that makes sense?

 

[Harryn]

Unlike electric service - where bigger costs more, gas is different. When they sized my service (new construction) the builder asked if I would ever have a pool heater or a whole house generator. As I was stumbling for words, he commented "just say yes, the gas company does not charge extra for it." So I have a gas meter and gas line that's twice the size of the equivalent house next door.

I do have natural gas service to the house and the garage. Right now I have only one meter and from that I do run house furnace, Hot water tank, and garage furnace. Seems to work. No plans for anything else at this time. A bigger line to the house and bigger meter would be a gas company issue anyways. Here they push the line though underground as opposed to trenching.

 

[Harryn]

Just as an update. Here in Calgary the largest garage that you can build on a lot that has a single house is 800 sqft. Because I want to go bigger I have to apply for relaxation on the zoning and that is done through a Development Permit (DP). The building and Planning department reviews the project and if they have no objections to the DP it it then posted to see if there is any public objection to the project. If none then the builder has to apply for the building permit. The DP takes 2-3 months and once approved the BP takes 10-14 days.

The DP application has been submitted and approved by the Planning Authority. It is now waiting for the public posting. I don't expect any objections because there are at lease 5 other detached garages as big or bigger in my block.

Still on track for demo of the old in April, new concrete in May, and build complete by end of June.

Harry