How Do You Wire a Treehouse?
Treehouses are all the rage lately, and it’s easy to see why. A home in the treetops can make you feel like you’re truly getting away from your daily, earthbound concerns. Some people build treehouses as playhouses for their children, but they’re also a way for adults to escape to a private getaway.
Do you dream of a house at the top of the world?
Elaborate treehouses have been the focus of television shows like Treehouse Masters, which featured carpenter Pete Nelson and a team of workers who created “the most magnificent, whimsical, staggering, spectacular and jaw-dropping treehouses all around the world.”
Resorts like Treehouse Utopia offer sumptuously decorated, luxurious treehouse homes you can rent by day or the week.
Some people choose to live in treehouses instead of regular homes. It’s definitely a lifestyle choice that can make you feel totally connected to nature.
Getting Power to Your Treehouse
Should you have power in your treehouse? If it’s primarily for your children, that may not be necessary. If you’re using it for an office space, a work area or a guest room, you will need some electricity there. What’s the best way to get it?
Low-Voltage, Battery-Operated Solution
This is the simplest way to get power to your treehouse. In this setup, you will run 12V DC wiring from a battery. This is a self-contained lighting system. Each circuit will have a set number of bulbs controlled by one switch.
Since you’re essentially using a battery, you will need to determine the size of the battery based on what you want to run in your treehouse. You will also need a way to keep the battery charged. You can use solar panels or a wind generator to do this.
This route is the safest, simplest way to get power to your treehouse. You can keep the system off-grid, and you may even be able to avoid code and permit problems. Check with your local government to find out if you need a permit for this setup.
High-Voltage Solution
In this setup, you’d get power to your treehouse the same way you get power to any house. You will be running 110V AC wiring. You can run this as an extension from your home’s panel, from a generator or from a solar panel and an inverter.
This setup allows you to run many items in your treehouse, but you should proceed with caution. Keep the following uppermost in your mind.
Danger ahead: This is not a DIY job. Setting up a high-voltage electrical circuit to an outdoor building is a recipe for fire, shock and more in the wrong hands. Only let professional electricians do this for you.
Permit problems: You will need permits and licenses from your local government, and your project will have to comply with electrical codes.
Waterproofing: You will need cables and wires specifically designed for outdoor use.
SESCOS Is Ready to Tree You Up
Are you in the dark when it comes to your new treehouse? Talk to us about the best way to get power to it. We’ll be happy to install a safe system that’s compliant with all permits and electrical codes. Talk to SESCOS today.