When your shed has power, it’s more convenient to use. Think lights for working at night, heat on a chilly day, and outlets for tools. Don’t kid yourself, though—getting electricity out to your shed can be quite a task. Let’s dig into it a little.
First Things First: Local Regulations
Your zoning area regulations might require that you get a permit before running electricity to your shed. Go online or hop down to the municipal building department offices to get a permit.
Be Careful Working with Electricity
Working with live electricity is very dangerous. Strongly consider hiring a professional electrician in Decatur such as Burney Electrical Services for the job.
Pick Your Power Option
What do you want to use as a power source for your shed’s electricity? The three most common power-source choices are solar panels, a generator, or wiring from your home or building’s main electrical panel.
Powering from a Generator
Of the three power sources, a generator is the easiest to hook up. You buy the generator, fill its tank with gas, place it outside the shed, plug whatever you want to run into the generator, and fire it up. Boom, power.
Here are the drawbacks: 1) the generator MUST stay outside while it’s running (running it inside can lead to death from toxic fumes), 2) you must find a place to store the generator when it’s not in use, and 3) the generator requires maintenance, servicing, and filling with gas.
Powering from Solar Panels
Electricity from solar panels is free, and that’s a good thing. Of course, you must buy the panels. But once purchased, if the sun shines, those panels will produce power for your shed. Do a little research before you buy the panels to make sure you get the right size. Buying guides will help you calculate your shed’s wattage hours demand.
Here are the drawbacks with solar panels: 1) the cost of the panels, and 2) on cloudy days or during shorter winter days, the panels may not produce the amount of power you need.
Powering from the House Electrical Panel
Of all three power-source options, this one has the most longevity and reliability. Running electricity from your house’s main electrical panel will give your shed power year-round, on cloudy days as well as sunny, and with no extra equipment or engines to purchase or install.
The drawbacks are: 1) the danger of trying to run the electricity yourself, or 2) the inconvenience and cost of hiring professionals.
Get the Best Decatur Electrician to Do the Job
All of us who own sheds and actively use them would agree that being able to flip on a light or plug in a tool is very nice. Still, at Burney Electrical Services, we urge all shed owners to hire professionals to wire in the power. Doing it yourself is not worth the risk of getting injured.
Want power in your shed? Call Burney Electrical Services, the best electrical services contractor in Decatur and Atlanta.
