Owning an older home in Richmond, VA can give you the benefit of charming aesthetics, high-quality materials, and a thoughtful, spacious layout. Many older properties have enduring, real-wood elements, greater square footage than new construction, and eye-catching architectural details. However, adding modern appliances to these buildings comes with challenges. Read on to find out how you can add an EV charging station to your older home while ensuring electrical safety.
Modern Appliances and Older Electrical Systems
Homes that were built decades ago weren’t wired to support the many smart TVs, computers, and other electronics that modern consumers regularly utilize. Older electrical systems are also ill-equipped to support modern appliances, including the larger and more powerful air conditioners, furnaces, washing machines, and dryers currently in use. If you haven’t had your electrical system updated in a while, it could be at capacity. Increasing your electrical load by installing a Level 2 EV charging station indoors or out could lead to overload.
Overloaded electrical systems have a high risk of overheating and starting electrical fires. Electrical overloads can also diminish the performance of EV chargers and everything else that residents have plugged in.
What to Know About Home EV Chargers Before Getting Started
New electric vehicles typically come with branded, Level 1 charging cords. These cords plug directly into standard 120-volt outlets for easy plug-and-play performance. However, they can take more than 50 hours to restore full battery power. Even using a simple Level 1 charger in an old home with an outdated electrical system can cause electrical safety issues.
Electrical Panel Updates
The first and most important step in installing an EV home charger in your older Richmond property is having your electrical panel updated. Depending upon your household’s electricity demand, you may need to upgrade to a 240-volt electrical panel or have an additional 240-volt panel installed. Our team can assess your current electrical load, the electrical requirements of your charging equipment, and the age and integrity of your electrical system to determine which upgrades are best.
You’ll Need a Special, Dedicated Outlet
Unlike Level 1 charging cords which can take two days or more to fully charge EV batteries, Level 2 chargers can restore full battery power within just 4 to 12 hours. However, due to their higher capacity, Level 2 charging stations require special 240-volt outlets. These are the same outlets that support washing machines and dryers. They have more prong receptacles than standard outlets, and some have grounding elements.
What If My Home Already Has the Right Outlet Type?
Much like washing machines and dryers, EV charging stations require dedicated 240-volt outlets. Thus, you can’t simply unplug your washer or dryer each time you want to plug your EV charger in. Although you might not need to use both appliances simultaneously, the frequent plugging and unplugging of any appliance into and out of a higher amperage outlet can damage the outlet, the appliance, and the appliance’s cord.
Unplugging an EV charger can also disrupt or delay important firmware updates. As such, all Level 2 EV chargers should have their own dedicated outlets. This is also necessary for ensuring that these installations are fully code-compliant.
Your existing 240-volt outlets might also be outdated. Older 240-volt outlets have just three-prong receptacles. Newer 240-volt outlets have four-prong receptacles. Their fourth prongs are grounding prongs that minimize the risk of electric shock and electrocution.
Having your older outlets updated or an additional outlet added to accommodate your EV charger is the safest choice. When you consult with our electricians, you can also decide whether you want to hardwire your charging equipment directly into your electrical system instead.
Level 2 Home Chargers Also Require Their Own Circuits
To avoid frequently tripped circuit breakers, your EV charger must also have its own dedicated circuit. This way, you can use other major appliances at the same time without resetting tripped breakers and without the elevated risk of overheating and electrical fires. Having a dedicated circuit for your Level 2 charger will also ensure a consistent power supply that optimizes charging speeds and supports the long-term health of your EV battery. Both dedicated outlets and dedicated circuits are mandatory for code compliance.
Protect Your EV Charger With a Surge Protection Device
As per the National Electric Code (NEC) 2020 and the Virginia Residential Code (VARC) 2021, whole-house surge protection is a requirement for all new construction. Whole-house surge protection devices (SPDs) attach to main electrical panels to guard against lightning strikes and fluctuations in electrical current. When power surges occur, these devices divert excess electricity into the ground.
However, neither the 2020 NEC nor the 2021 VARC requires older homes to be retrofitted with surge protection. Thus, if you have an older home, this is protection that you’re likely lacking. Having a surge protector installed will extend the life span of your EV charging station and your EV battery. An SPD will also protect your home’s wiring, panel, and circuitry, including any electrical system upgrades made to accommodate your EV charging station.
Common Problems in Older Homes That Could Affect Your Installation
If your home dates back to the 1940s or before, it may have knob-and-tube (K-and-T) wiring, a fuse box rather than a circuit breaker panel, or other highly outdated elements. To avoid overheating, electrical fires, and other electrical safety hazards, you may need to have your entire electrical system replaced. If your home hasn’t had an electrical system refresh in more than 30 years, this could include all new outlets and wiring, light switches, and more. Not only will this project ensure the safety and functionality of your EV charger, but it will also add to your home’s value and enhance your overall electrical safety.
Excess Clutter
Older, lived-in homes often have lots of clutter, especially in traditional storage areas such as basements, attics, and attached or detached garages. You should have enough space to give your charging station at least 18 inches of ground clearance and at least two feet of clearance on all sides not wall-mounted. You also want plenty of room to pull your car in, connect, disconnect, and pull out without running over charging cords or other attachments and accessories.
Ensure Warranty Compliance
Priming your home for safe EV installation will help you comply with the terms of your EV charger manufacturer’s warranty. Product warranties are mutually binding agreements between consumers and manufacturers. Just as your EV charger manufacturer agrees to pay for problems resulting from faulty assembly, defective components, and other manufacturer-related errors, you agree to take specific steps to limit the likelihood of claims. These can include paying for proper installation, ensuring adequate electrical infrastructure, and performing routine maintenance. If you install your EV charger in an older home that lacks surge protection or has outdated circuitry and wiring, it won’t last as long as it should, and your warranty could be voided.
We help homeowners in Richmond simplify their lives and reduce their carbon footprints with cutting-edge EV home charging equipment, expert installation, and ongoing support. We offer top-notch electrical, plumbing, and HVAC services. We also provide backup generators and handyman services. To find out about our preventative maintenance plan or schedule an appointment, get in touch with us at Davis & Green today!
