Electrical Installation and Planning Walkthrough – The Risinger Build Episode 11

Foreword by Ian Thompson, Editor

Electrical Installation and Planning is today’s topic on the Risinger Build Episode 11. Matt’s taking us through his highly efficient electrical setup that might help you make your own home building project easier.

Matt’s installing Fiber, checking out adjustable outlets, and setting up job site security systems. If there’s one lesson to learn here, it’s that good design, specification, and planning really makes the difference helping site installation efficiency and cost effectiveness.

In this episode, Matt and the team will walk you through those final electrical touches before the consent inspection. Matt’s on hand to show you how to install the adjustable Allied Molding outlets. What’s cool about them is you can adjust the depth even after they’re installed.

We’re also covering how to run Google Fiber into the house, plus Matt’s adding an extra empty conduit for any future low-voltage needs. This gives you the flexibility for updates down the line without causing too much damage to your walls and floors.

On the security front, Matt highlights his solar-powered Vosker cameras and Ring floodlight motion sensor cameras. They’re great for keeping a continuous eye on the build, sending real-time alerts, and they’re especially handy in areas with spotty cell service.

And to keep everyone comfortable during those scorching 100-degree days, we’ve set up temporary power—including a hefty 5-ton air conditioner — to keep the house cool for all the contractors.

Beyond just the electrical and security stuff, we really want to stress how important it is to pre-plan your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing layouts. We’ll show you how doing some early modeling made Matt’s build way more efficient.

Electrical Installation and Planning Walkthrough – The Risinger Build Episode 11

In this episode of the Risinger Build series, Matt Risinger delves into the electrical installation and planning undertaken for his latest high-performance home project. The focus is on integrating innovative electrical solutions to create an energy-efficient and future-proof home, all while adhering to a modest budget. Joined by special guest CJ, a master electrician from California and contributor to the Build Show Network, and Rick Powers, his longtime electrician in Austin, Texas, Matt explores cutting-edge practices in residential electrical systems that cater to modern all-electric homes.

1. Innovative Use of Span Smart Electrical Panels

Central to the project’s electrical planning is the adoption of Span smart electrical panels. Unlike traditional panels, Span panels offer advanced load management and monitoring capabilities. They act as intelligent hubs, allowing for efficient distribution and control of electrical loads throughout the home. This is particularly important in an all-electric house with significant power demands, including multiple electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

By implementing Span panels, the team avoids the substantial costs associated with upgrading from a standard 200-amp service to a higher capacity. The smart panels dynamically manage the electrical load, ensuring the home’s power usage remains within safe limits. For instance, if high-demand appliances and EV chargers are operating simultaneously, the Span system will adjust power distribution to prevent overloading, thereby enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness.

2. Integration of Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

Recognizing the growing importance of EVs, the electrical installation includes two Span Drive modules—direct-connect EV chargers integrated into the home’s electrical system. By connecting directly and working in tandem with the Span smart panels, these chargers benefit from intelligent load management. This ensures efficient vehicle charging without compromising the home’s electrical stability.

The planning accounts for scenarios where both EV chargers might be in use alongside other high-demand appliances. The Span system can modulate the charging rate, reducing it during peak usage periods and maximizing it when overall demand is lower. This integration exemplifies forward-thinking in electrical planning, preparing the home for future technological advancements.

3. Emphasis on Airtight Construction and Energy Efficiency

A significant aspect of the electrical installation involves contributing to the home’s airtight construction. The team utilizes the Zip System sheathing with integrated air and moisture barriers, ensuring a continuous and tight seal around the building envelope. During electrical rough-in, special attention is given to penetrations through this envelope.

Electricians drill individual holes for each wire penetrating the air barrier and seal each one with specialized products like liquid flashing. This meticulous approach prevents air leakage and maintains indoor air quality by stopping garage fumes or outdoor pollutants from entering living spaces. The electrical planning is thus integral to achieving the desired energy efficiency and comfort levels.

4. Coordination Among Trades: Implementing “Big Pipes Before Small Pipes”

Effective coordination is crucial in the electrical installation and planning stage. Adhering to the principle of “big pipes before small pipes,” HVAC ductwork and plumbing are installed prior to electrical wiring. This sequencing ensures that larger, less flexible components are accommodated first. Electricians then plan their wiring routes accordingly, preventing conflicts and optimizing space usage. This collaborative approach between trades enhances the functionality and efficiency of the electrical system within the home’s overall infrastructure.

5. Advanced Ventilation Strategy Through Electrical Integration

Instead of traditional exhaust fans, the electrical planning incorporates an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system. The electricians install control wiring and switches that interface with the ERV, allowing for enhanced ventilation control. Bathrooms have continuous low-level exhaust, improving air quality and reducing humidity without the need for separate exhaust fans.

For increased ventilation needs, such as during showers, a momentary switch boosts the ERV’s operation. This system requires careful electrical planning to integrate control wiring (using 16-2 wire) and ensure seamless operation. The result is an advanced ventilation strategy that contributes to the home’s overall energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

6. Smart Home Integration and Future-Proof Electrical Planning

The electrical installation includes provisions for smart home technology, such as Sonos audio systems and centralized networking equipment. Electricians run both high-voltage and low-voltage wiring to support these systems, demonstrating foresight in electrical planning. By allocating dedicated spaces and considering the cooling needs of equipment like amplifiers and routers, the electrical design ensures that the home can adapt to future technological advancements.

7. Implementation of a Heat Pump Water Heater

Electrical planning extends to the integration of an 80-gallon LG heat pump water heater within the home’s conditioned space. Electricians ensure the unit is properly powered and that its operation aligns with the home’s energy efficiency goals. Recognizing that heat pump water heaters cool the surrounding air, the team designs electrical components in the mechanical room to support temperature management strategies, such as dedicated ventilation controlled through the electrical system.

8. Job Site Electrical Management and Safety Measures

From the outset, the project emphasizes job site safety and efficiency through thoughtful electrical planning. A temporary power pole and Spider Box are established early, providing reliable power access for all trades. This eliminates unsafe extension cord setups and ensures adequate power supply for all tools and equipment.

Temporary air conditioning is powered through this setup, maintaining a comfortable work environment, which is crucial in extreme temperatures. This not only protects workers but also safeguards materials sensitive to humidity and temperature fluctuations, like hardwood flooring and trim.

9. Detailed and Precise Electrical Installation Practices

Throughout the project, the electrical installation is marked by meticulous attention to detail. Electricians ensure that fixtures, such as recessed lighting and smoke detectors, are symmetrically placed and aligned with architectural features. Outlet placement exceeds code minimums to enhance functionality, anticipating homeowner needs like additional bedside outlets for personal devices.

Color-coded wiring, such as purple sheathing for 12-3 wire, is used to enhance safety and efficiency during installation and future maintenance. This practice simplifies identification and reduces the likelihood of errors.

10. Documentation and Communication in Electrical Planning

Comprehensive documentation is a cornerstone of the electrical planning process. The team photographs wiring and mechanical systems before walls are closed, creating a valuable reference for future modifications or troubleshooting. This level of detail supports effective communication between the builder, electricians, and other trades, ensuring alignment and facilitating a successful project outcome.

11. Preparing for Future Electrical Needs

Electrical planning includes installing empty conduits from the outside demarcation point to the attic. This foresight allows for easy integration of future low-voltage wiring or replacement of existing cables without significant disruption. It’s a practical measure that enhances the home’s adaptability to technological advancements.

Conclusion

The Electrical Installation and Planning at the Risinger Build project exemplifies modern practices in residential construction. By integrating advanced technologies like Span smart panels and ERV systems, and emphasizing airtight construction, the electrical planning contributes significantly to creating a sustainable, efficient, and future-ready home.

Attention to detail, coordination among trades, and a commitment to exceeding standard practices in electrical installation set this project apart. The strategies employed not only enhance immediate functionality and comfort but also ensure the home’s electrical systems can adapt to evolving needs and technologies.

Through this comprehensive approach to electrical installation and planning, Matt Risinger and his team showcase how thoughtful electrical design is integral to high-performance home building. They demonstrate that meticulous electrical planning is essential for creating energy-efficient, comfortable, and technologically advanced living spaces.

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