Electric vehicles are the future. Almost all car brands in the world today are moving forward with EV models or integrating electric motors to assist combustion engines. If you are already ahead of the curve by buying an EV or planning to get one soon, why not also install an EV charger in your home? Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from doing so.
1. Unparalleled Convenience
Installing an EV charger in your home is more efficient and convenient than juicing up your vehicle at public charging stations. Imagine pulling up into your driveway after a trip or a long day of work, plugging your car into your charger, and you’re done. By morning, you’ll have a fully charged car that can last you for days, depending on its range.
If you invest in a “level 2” EV charger, you can fill up your car in as little as four hours. This will save a lot of your time since you’ll never have to wait in line and sit around for your vehicle to fill up at standard stations unless you are taking a long road trip.
2. Cost Savings
The most appealing part of installing an EV charger in your home is the significant cost savings you’ll enjoy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it costs about $0.17 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy in a home, as opposed to charging stations, which cost $0.30-$0.60 per kWh. Remember, these charging stations still have to adjust their prices further for taxes, running costs, and investor profits.
3. Increased Home Value
As more people are turning to EVs, having a home that has a charging station will make it more desirable to potential buyers. You can command a premium price to stand out in the competitive real estate market.
4. Sustainable Living
You’ll help make the earth greener and healthier by adopting cleaner energy sources for almost all your favorite activities. EV chargers get their power from renewable energy sources, like the sun, hydroelectric, or nuclear power, thus lowering your net carbon footprint.
The government might even give you tax incentives and rebates for going green. This can help minimize the operational costs of your EV charger.
5. IoT Integration
You can connect your phone to most of the EV chargers available today. This means you can create custom charging schedules, control its power output, and monitor your vehicle’s energy consumption in real-time. With that information, you can budget your monthly expenditure more accurately.
6. Enhanced Safety
Public charging stations, even though generally safe, are still at risk of tampering. Contrarily, a home charger is in your controlled environment, reducing the chance of vandalism, theft, and other safety concerns.
Moreover, you can get a home charger designed for your specific car. It will be gentler on the battery, promoting a longer life span and better performance.
7. Flexible for All Home Types
A home charger doesn’t interfere with your general home aesthetics. You can install it anywhere in your garage or around your house. You can also get a long cable that’ll allow you to charge your car in your driveway for a quick top-up.
Types of Home EV Chargers
Level 1 EV Charger
Level 1 is the standard type of EV charger you can get for your vehicle. It uses a 120V outlet, drawing as much power as a portable electric space heater. It takes about 12 to 24 hours to charge an EV battery fully.
Automakers often sell their cars with this charger included. It is meant just to top up the car’s energy needs before a short journey.
Level 2 EV Charger
Level 2 electric vehicle chargers use a 240V circuit, like most cloth dryers and electric stoves. They are six to eight times faster than Level 1 chargers. In other words, you can get around 12 to 32 miles of driving range for just an hour of charging.
Unlike the Level 1 setup, a Level 2 charger requires professional installation. You may also need to increase your home’s electrical capacity to accommodate it. Once set up, you might never have to worry about your vehicle’s charging needs.
Level 3 Charger
Also known as DC fast chargers, these are the quickest charging setups you can install in your home. They can add around 100-250 miles of range in 30-45 minutes, making them very efficient for EVs with bigger batteries like Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, and Mercedes EQS.
If you are planning on installing a Level 3 charger, you will need to increase your home’s electrical capacity even further. They require at least 480 volts and 400 amps of power to work.
EV Charger Installation Requirements
First, you need to dedicate a safe and easily accessible location to install your EV charger. It should be close enough to where you tend to pack your car. The reason behind this is to allow for easy usage without needing too much storage space for a long cable.
Second, consider the distance between your home’s main electrical supply and the desired area of EV installation. The closer they are, the more cost-effective and efficient your charger will be.
Third, you must assess your home’s electrical capacity. If you are going for a Level 2 charger, upgrade your electrical panel first because it will need to provide more power at a much faster rate than it is used to.
Fourth, EV chargers need internet access to enable features such as accepting instructions, recording energy consumption, and adjusting the charging rate. Therefore, you must extend your internet connection to the installation area.
Lastly, you will need permission from the property owner if you are leasing or renting your home. Be sure to document all the agreements you make in writing to avoid legal problems that may arise in the future. Also, if there are specific zoning requirements in your area that you need to adhere to, make sure to verify first before beginning the installation process.
Maintaining an EV Charger
If you have a Level 1 charger, an annual inspection is sufficient for light use. However, if you use it daily, you should consider having a professional check it out every six months to ensure peak efficiency.
Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (L3) Chargers require maintenance at least two times a year for optimal performance and safety. Moreover, an electrician needs also to inspect your home’s electrical grid to ascertain that it still can support the higher output chargers.
Also, remember to clean the charger and declutter the area of installation. Dust and debris can accumulate around it, potentially causing overheating and connection issues. Lastly, keep your charger up to date to enhance functionality and improve its compatibility with other EVs in your household.
Contact Davis & Green for EV Charger Installation
An EV charger is an investment that certainly pays off in the long run. If you are interested in installing one in your home in Richmond, VA, call Davis & Green today for the best setup in town. Our experienced electricians can also upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate the new EV charger. You can also contact us for all your HVAC and plumbing needs.
