Building a new house - what would you ensure was part of the plan?

[LeftMySoulinNM]

Hi all

Building a new house in Pagosa Springs - breaking ground in May this spring

Currently have planned for (2) L2 chargers in the garage

We currently have solar and batteries in PHX and will plan for future PV in the new house

If you were planning a new house what details would you add around EVs?

Cheers, Andy

We did 3 EV circuits in the garage. Only 1 went into immediate use but all 3 are used now.

Highly recommend solar hot water heating system with on demand electric backup. We installed a system from Steibel Eltron - equipment cost was very reasonable. Plus 30% tax credit.
Also did geothermal HVAC. 30% tax credit for that as well. Was a no brainer for us.

Sponsored

 

[risingphoenix]

We did 3 EV circuits in the garage. Only 1 went into immediate use but all 3 are used now.

Highly recommend solar hot water heating system with on demand electric backup. We installed a system from Steibel Eltron - equipment cost was very reasonable. Plus 30% tax credit.
Also did geothermal HVAC. 30% tax credit for that as well. Was a no brainer for us.

If you have ground source heat pump HVAC, solar hot water heating system is not cost effective. The desuperheater of the geothermal should cover much of hot water needs (which means free hot water in the summer and minimal expense hot water in the winter). I have an electric hot water tank (and a holding tank for the desuperheater) and with the desuperheater production I average about 3kWh used per day making hot water for the last year. I doubt the cost of 3kWh per day will cover the installation cost of a solar thermal water system.

 

[truckie6606]

Late to the party here, but I can't emphasize enough going overboard on the cat 6, having spare conduit to strategic locations, etc. Seriously consider a data/AV room and employ some POE switches for ceiling mounted wireless access points and security cameras. Also, put an access point in the garage....we do drive rolling computers with regular software update needs after all.

My builder thought I was crazy for running about 5k feet of cat 6 in the home build I did right before COVID, but once work from home hit, 2 people working from home along with virtual schooling utilized a good bit of that bandwidth.

400amp main panel is a must...we utilized this approach with a 200amp sub for house circuits and a 100amp sub dedicated to garage HV loads. Overthink the details....power outlets in the soffits on switches for Christmas lights, cat 6, coax, fiber, and a ground cable run to a strategic point for potential satellite TV/Internet/Air Fiber links, a conduit to your exterior demarc point for future service needs. empty conduit under your driveway at strategic points. An empty conduit with a pull line from your demarc point to the street for future services. Consult with your electrician on things you may want to utilize so they terminate outlet boxes and switch boxes accordingly. Most smart switches require a neutral, but it's quite common for the sparky to terminate all the neutrals together at the back of a switch box....which then requires you adding a neutral out to your smart switch, etc.

 

[Liverit85]

Hi all

Building a new house in Pagosa Springs - breaking ground in May this spring

Currently have planned for (2) L2 chargers in the garage

We currently have solar and batteries in PHX and will plan for future PV in the new house

If you were planning a new house what details would you add around EVs?












We currently have solar and batteries in PHX and will plan for future PV in the new house. One thing we’re also exploring is integrating design elements that balance function and aesthetics. For instance, we’re thinking about using neutral wall coverings from https://fancywalls.eu/wallpaper-pattern/neutral-wallpaper/ to create a calming, modern interior that complements the clean tech vibe of the house without being overpowering.

Cheers, Andy

Hi Andy,

Exciting times ahead—congrats on the upcoming build in Pagosa Springs!

Since you’re already planning for two Level 2 chargers and thinking ahead with solar/PV integration, you’re definitely on the right track. A few additional details you might consider for EV-readiness in a new home:

Electrical Panel Capacity: Make sure your main panel has plenty of headroom for current and future loads. Oversizing now can save headaches later.

Conduit Runs: Even if you're not installing everything now, having conduit run to areas like the driveway, exterior walls, or future carports gives you flexibility.

Dedicated EV Load Center: Some folks find it helpful to have a subpanel just for EV-related circuits. Makes upgrades and troubleshooting easier down the line.

Smart Charging Integration: Pre-wire or leave space in the garage for a smart panel or energy management system that can prioritize EV charging based on solar output or time-of-use rates.

Heated Garage or Pre-wiring for Heat: Especially in colder climates like Pagosa Springs—keeping the battery warm in winter can preserve range and reduce energy draw.

Sounds like you’ve got a solid foundation. Best of luck with the build!

 

[HaveBlue]

Right. Using a normal 200A panel with a 200A breaker means you can't add solar into the panel because you'll be over the bus rating.

 

[Zoul]

Some tips I did not see for garage/shop specific. Most of these are geared towards someone who works in the garage and uses it for more than parking/storage:

A dedicated, insulated space for a large air compressor and hard air line runs to each bay and outside. Having the compressor separate cuts down a lot on the noise in the shop.

Use pegboard where you can instead of drywall.
My whole garage is lined in pegboard. It's great to be able to create a space for anything anywhere on the walls. But might not meet code everywhere.

Chain hoist beam above the center of one bay. If it's an I-beam, can use a trolley and be able to move heavy objects from a truck bed near the door, or pull an engine for a project car.

If a lift isn't an option, look into the possibility of a "grease" pit. This is probably much less useful if you only have ev's. Obviously there's some drawbacks and extra safety steps, but if a lift is absolutely impossible it can be nice to have.

In addition to a bathroom, I'd suggest a shower. Nothing fancy, but something to be able to hose off the worst before going into the house.

Built in storage. Especially tools, scrap, recycling, trash can storage if required to be in garage. New material/parts storage. Attic access with hoist/lift for bulky items. Designated storage for outdoor gear, bikes, kayaks, lawn mowers.

Minimize the lip between garage and driveway. You'll appreciate it in the event of a dead vehicle, trailer/boat, rolling toolbox, jacks, ect.

Heated driveway and or garage floor. I've worked in a few shops with this and it is amazing. Some that was the only climate control in use and the shop stayed comfortable year round. Some setups can be used for cooling too.

If your garage location allows, having a pass through garage door that goes to the back yard can be nice.

14-50 220v socket for ev charging and or welding. Even if you are hardwiring a charger, id still have the outlet for backup and other use. Depending on how it's wired could limit you to no welding while charging.

Like I said this is all probably a lot more useful to a gear head like me than it might be to you, so ymmv. Several of these things can easily be lived without or added later, but if I was building from the ground up a lot of this would be nice. If I was spending the money anyway, might as well go all out.

 

[SSteveEV]

Great thread for future garage build.
@NMflyfish Hope your construction is going well so far! Love the SketchUp visual

Regarding the debate here on to CATx or not, I'll say that whatever the cost of running the lines it will be well worth it the first time you need to change a wifi network/ password.

 

[HaveBlue]

Fun ideas just make sure if the garage is attached, you don't compromise the firewall or adding a new load beam I'd calculated out.

 

[Vantripping]

In regards to the garage only.

• Install a heat pump for cooling and heating when needed. Because of one I can now work in garage in winter or summer when otherwise couldn't because temps were unbearable.
• install a subpanel just for the garage to add circuits for future EV chargers, power tools, and dedicated circuits for what's to come, or have those circuits installed now (if homebuilder, then likely much lower cost to add via your own contractor)
• make all or at least garage now or able to easily be converted (header at least 12 feet above ground so taller door opening can be cut in) to taller height 10 or 12 feet clearance to accommodate RV, large boat, trailer, roof racks, things on roof, etc. Of course, the RV bay should be about 30 feet long. This low cost upgrade dramatically increases value of home and future toys or shop things or ability to stack cars on rack or lift for maintenance.
• significant overhead lighting so can use garage space as shop or projects or maintenance anywhere in garage.
• solar tubes for improved lighting during daytime

 

[ForeverWild]

For me, a big thing would be the depth of the garage. It looks like you have an R1S, but if you might ever consider an R1T, keep in mind how long it is. It barely fits in a standard 20 ft garage, no room to walk past it in front or behind. I have a 23 ft garage now and can at least walk by in front, but the tailgate is inches from the garage door. It would be nice to have a deeper garage so I could comfortably walk all the way around the truck with the garage door down.

4 car garage
60 kw solar
4x15 kw garage wall mounted battery.
2x80 amp EV chargers
800 amp service to the house
Savant home automation system
Lutron lighting throughout
Sola tubes for all rooms with no windows (Walk in closets)
Whole house sound system
Kinetico Whole House Filtration
Infrared Sauna in the master bath
Ceiling mounted large rain shower
Bourbon Bar
Miele Built-in Coffee (Pro Tip)
Killer office
Intentional locations for art (lighting, etc)
Negative edge pool overlooking the valley.

 

[JamuJoe]

Hi all

Building a new house in Pagosa Springs - breaking ground in May this spring

Currently have planned for (2) L2 chargers in the garage

We currently have solar and batteries in PHX and will plan for future PV in the new house

If you were planning a new house what details would you add around EVs?

Cheers, Andy

I live in Durango, and have 10.5kW of rooftop solar that generally satisfies household demand as well as routine charging of two EVs. With net metering, I save by scheduling charging during strong solar production. If I couldn’t do this, I would strongly consider home battery storage to bank excess solar production for EV charging. An inverter that automatically diverts to the EV charger during excess production could also possibly result in savings.

ps. Snow covering my rooftop panels is an issue. I look with envy at a neighbors pole mount articulated array that pivots to vertical and dumps the snow.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Some EVs are supporting 80A charging at home now (GM and Audi come to mind) so I’d try to have that power capacity built in as well.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Some tips I did not see for garage/shop specific. Most of these are geared towards someone who works in the garage and uses it for more than parking/storage:

A dedicated, insulated space for a large air compressor and hard air line runs to each bay and outside. Having the compressor separate cuts down a lot on the noise in the shop.

I’m going to run a PSA for the air lines. They are a fantastic addition to a working shop but make sure they aren’t ran in CPVC. Spend the money for copper, brazed for extra credit, although soldier is plenty.

I’ve seen too many shops cheap out and get plastic compressed air lines. CPVC is not rated for air pressure and defective line can grenade upon shock force which occurs often with air tools. You’re not even supposed to pressure test plastic pipe with air.

Not trying to be accusatory to you specifically just pointing out the danger of plastic air line.

 

[Zoul]

I’m going to run a PSA for the air lines. They are a fantastic addition to a working shop but make sure they aren’t ran in CPVC. Spend the money for copper, brazed for extra credit, although soldier is plenty.

I’ve seen too many shops cheap out and get plastic compressed air lines. CPVC is not rated for air pressure and defective line can grenade upon shock force which occurs often with air tools. You’re not even supposed to pressure test plastic pipe with air.

Not trying to be accusatory to you specifically just pointing out the danger of plastic air line.

Oh ya didn't even think to mention that. I'd know better doing it myself, but wouldn't even think to mention it to a builder if I was in that position. You might be able to get away with pex for hobby grade work. Most shops I've been in have been plumbed with at least 1" steel pipe. Copper would be way too costly for a big rig shop.

As nice as any of the stuff mentioned would be, by all means do your research and have it done safely. As much as we all would like to think a builder would know better, there's plenty of new builds that are evidence otherwise. Probably the most important thing to have on a new build is a thorough inspection. I Wish you all luck.

 

[emoore]

4 car garage
60 kw solar
4x15 kw garage wall mounted battery.
2x80 amp EV chargers
800 amp service to the house
Savant home automation system
Lutron lighting throughout
Sola tubes for all rooms with no windows (Walk in closets)
Whole house sound system
Kinetico Whole House Filtration
Infrared Sauna in the master bath
Ceiling mounted large rain shower
Bourbon Bar
Miele Built-in Coffee (Pro Tip)
Killer office
Intentional locations for art (lighting, etc)
Negative edge pool overlooking the valley.

That would be my dream house.

Sponsored