If you’re looking to invest in an electric car, something you may want to think about is whether or not you want to install a home electric car charger. One of the main reasons why you should have a home electric car charger installed is convenience. With an electric car charger right at home, you’ll never have to bother with going to a gas station ever again! While that kind of luxury sounds wonderful, there are a few things to think about before investing in a home electric car charger.
Picking Your Electric Car Charger
Most electric vehicles and plug-ins in the U.S. use the same SAE-standard J1772 plug. That being said, this doesn’t apply to Teslas. And while electric car chargers all work the same way, they’re not all created equal. So what should you look for in a home electric car charger?
Cost
Level 2 home electric chargers range in price from just under $500 to more than $2,000, not including cost of installation and labor. The main factors you want to consider in how much you pay for your home electric car charger are amperage and cord length. If you want more of either, expect to pay more.
Installation Type
Think of your home electric car charger as a long-term investment. It’s supposed to be a permanent installation, not a temporary solution. That being said, there are some versions of home electric car chargers that can be permanently installed but are also removable. This means that the charger uses a standard plug and can be taken with you if you move.
Amperage
Speaking of amperage, level 2 chargers typically come in 16- or 30-amp versions. A 16-amp home electric car charger works for vehicles like the Chevy Volt, which doesn’t draw any more current than that. That being said, your best bet is to invest in a 30-amp home electric car charger. It will provide you with the maximum charging speed and is a good long-term investment if you plan to buy another electric vehicle in the future.
Cord Length
The location of your charger matters and will depend on how far you need to reach to get to your vehicle’s charge port. A 16- or 18-foot cord is the ideal length for most vehicles and homes. If you’re uncertain what length you need, a home electric car charger installer will be able to help you find the best measurement for your needs. Remember – it’s better to go up in length than be left short.
Getting your home ready for your electric car charger installation
The biggest concern you should have when getting ready for your home electric car charger installation is whether or not your home can handle the extra load. You may need to install a new meter and breaker panel. In order to gauge whether or not this needs to happen, take into account the age of your garage (ideally where the home electric car charger will be housed) and the distance from your garage to your house. Old wiring going into your garage may need to be replaced by a professional electrician.
What if you don’t have a garage to house your home electric car charger?
If you don’t have a garage, no worries. You can install your electric car charger in your driveway. Talk with an experienced installer about mounting options to ensure your charger isn’t affected by rain, dust, or the cold.
Ready to have your home electric car charger installed?
Call A-Abel electric to get the job done. Our experienced electricians can properly install your charger for an affordable price. If your home needs to be rewired to support the extra load, we can do that, too!
