[F250]

I'm talking about something rather small (8x10), and am NOT talking about an otherwise classified larger out building.

I just had an 8x10 built in the natural wooded area immediately behind the house, and it's entire purpose in life is to house my yard equipment, and is NOT a workshop area (I have that set up in my garage). I have long planned for running a water hose out to the shed, as well as a single 30 amp circuit for lighting and very casual use of any other kind of electrical tool (i.e. drill, jigsaw, etc.).

The shed has 7'6" walls, one small window, and a set of double 36" wide doors at one end. Since getting it finished and starting to install the shelving and small work surface, I am finding that there is tons of ambient light with the doors open, so I'm rethinking the prospect of trenching the conduit for lighting and the piping for water. Just not sure it's really worth the effort. I know I can always add that later, but am wanting to hear some of your thoughts on the matter.

For those of you who HAVE run water/electricity to a utility shed, have you found that it really is worth it, or maybe not?

For those of you who HAVE NOT run utilities, do you regret not doing so, or are you glad that you didn't?

For me, trenching through the wooded area will not be an easy or fun task by any means.

 

[roughneck]

I’ve been putting off running power for a variety of reasons. But I find it very annoying to have to pull a cord out to run my battery maintainers and/or other tools when I need them.
My shed is 20’X12’ and sits about 65’-70’ from the house.
Having power would be fantastic for my use.
I do plan on a sub panel to power the shed.

 

[Mystriss]

I think it depends on your needs for it.

I wish our little shed (12x10) had power, but that's mostly just to help light up that area. If it were in a different location, I don't think I'd care either way.

I don't think I'd ever run water to a shed though. The pipes would freeze first winter and I'd have a huge mess to clean up. Alaska thang.

 

[Missouri Bound]

I have a 10 X 20 barn that I use for storage in the loft and yard equipment on the main floor. I plan on installing electric this year for lighting and some outlets for the occasional maintenance I do on the equipment and maintaining the batteries. I see that my building is a bit larger that allows me to do some work in there. A small shed like yours may do fine with a small solar system if lighting is all you want. So many tools are battery operated that I rarely plug in anything on a project. But you have got me thinking about running a water line out there now. That would be handy.
If you run the power and water line I am sure you would use it.

 

[Mystriss]

I do like the idea of solar - no underground wires to worry about there.

(If solar worked up here I'd be all over that for my lighting needs.)

 

[F250]

Good thoughts.

Where I am, 6-10 inches deep would get me past the freeze point easily due to our relatively mild winters (especially in comparison to Alaska). I know that the water is something I would use, but just not sure I would use it enough to justify the complicated effort of getting it there.

Regarding the electricity, The shed is in the woods under some mature trees, so I'm not sure how well a solar setup would be effective for my situation. Still, though, I really like the thought and will certainly investigate further. My other concern with it, though, is the possibility of falling limbs breaking the solar panels. I guess I could install some plexiglass over them. Then again, I believe our blasted HOA does not allow solar panels.

 

[HDS]

I have a 10x18 shed, 100' from the house that I'm looking to run power and water to this spring. The water would be for a remote spigot that I would use to water my garden that is about 20 feet away. Mainly would be for lighting, both inside and outside, a fan, a few outlets, and maybe a small air compressor or even a window AC unit. The more I think about it, a TV and fridge too as it may become more of a remote man cave than a storage shed since my kids have taken over the basement.

 

[Missouri Bound]

The shed is in the woods under some mature trees, so I'm not sure how well a solar setup would be effective for my situation..[/I]

I'm in the same boat. We placed the barn in a spot north of the adjoining woods so the south side never gets sun and the overhanging trees keep it pretty much in the shade. I wanted it cooler in the summer and didn't think about solar until after the fact. Hindsight is 20 20.

 

[F250]

I have a 10x18 shed, 100' from the house that I'm looking to run power and water to this spring. The water would be for a remote spigot that I would use to water my garden that is about 20 feet away. Mainly would be for lighting, both inside and outside, a fan, a few outlets, and maybe a small air compressor or even a window AC unit. The more I think about it, a TV and fridge too as it may become more of a remote man cave than a storage shed since my kids have taken over the basement.

I hear ya'! Don't forget about a sink, a toilet, and a shower (maybe even outdoor shower).

Seriosuly, though, any water I would use out there would be primarily for washing up the yard tools (I'm anal about keeping them stored clean and dry), and then also for washing up my hands and boots before trekking back to the house.

 

[Bondo]

The shed is in the woods under some mature trees,

Ayuh,...... If yer gonna dig a trench through all those tree roots, I'd lay in both power, 'n water in the same trench,......

The water line could end at a frost-proof hydrant, so any freezing would be a moot point,.....

 

[F250]

Yeah, but I've now looked at the solar outdoor light options, and they seem to be reasonable enough to where I'll probably skip the trenching effort altogether and just install the solar options.

My "techic self" has already figured out that I'll probably get a pair of 900 lumens motion-activated units - one for the entrance to the shed, and one for the inside. I bet the deer will have a fun time with the outdoor lights coming on in the evening as they walk the path, at least until I get the fence up where they will be directed to outside of the motion sensor's range.

 

[Drachenfire]

I have a 10'x12' shed. Its primary use is to store lawn/yard maintenance equipment, tools and the fuel used to run them. As it is simply used for storage it was not worth the hassle and expense to run utilities to it.

 

[lenaitch]

I have a 10x16 shed about 100' from the house that was there when we bought it. Single 15a direct burial electrical for a light and single receptacle. Also an abs water line that simply threads into an outside hose bib at the house. i had to re-side the shed so it was handy to have power back there and I can plug the lawn tractor into a tender and walk away. I don't really use the water line that much.

 

[huesmann]

Shed in the "new" house is attached to house, so it has electricity, though only o/h lights—but there's an exterior outlet on the house about 10' away, so I don't really need it in the shed.

There's also a spigot immediately outside the shed, so don't need water in the shed.

The shed in the old house was about 30' away from the back door. No power, water there. It would have been nice to have power for lights, though. Lived there almost 20 years and always just used a flashlight when the open door didn't provide enough light. If I was still there, I'd get one of those LED light bars with rechargeable batteries and a motion sensor. When the batteries die, you just plug it into a USB port and recharge.

 

[rjniles]

I have 4 outbuildings, all have power. First 2 I built, second 2 were existing to property. I rewired all the existing buildings

16 by 24 garage (really my workshop) 60 amp sub panel, H/C water

12 by 24 RV carport, 30 amp RV circuit and water

10 by 12 shed, 20 amp circuit for light and receptacle

8 by 8 well house, 20 amp MWBC for light, receptacle and pump circuit.

 

[Mrbuilder]

I have a 12x12 lawn shed 50ft from house. While funding the chainsaw extension for my weed eater to remove a "widow maker" limb broken by a storm off my deck rail. I tripped on my wife's little gardening wagon, dropped the attachment, chainsaw chain ripped 4 wheeler seat, banged my knee, whacked my head on the door frame, cursed so loud my wife heard me in the kitchen....... Went out next day, bought 2 batt operated LED motion lights. AA batteries. NO MORE rummaging around in the dark !!!!!


:vs_cool:just sayin