Good news for the environment – electric cars are becoming more and more common every year, greatly reducing the amount of fossil fuels our vehicles are using. That said, electric cars still need power, and for many people the convenience or necessity of having a charger at home is a big deal – that’s where installing electric car chargers comes into play.
Though they’re becoming more and more common in public areas, if you own an electric car you’ll more than likely want the ability to charge your car at home and that’s when you might consider an EV charger installation – thankfully it’s actually rather easy, especially with the help of an expert electrician. In this article we’ll go over some of the most important considerations and help you get on the right path to charging up your vehicle in no time.
How Do Electric Car Chargers Work? What Kind Do I Need?
When you install an electric car charger in your home, you’re basically setting up a station that provides standard alternating electrical current to the charger built into your car which then converts that into direct current to be stored in your car’s battery for future use on the road.
Due the variety that exists among electric car batteries and systems, there are different kinds of electric car chargers which vary in terms of the level of charge they provide as well as how fast they can charge your battery. Some of it comes down to preference for how much and how fast you need to charge, but you should always start with looking into the various options that work with your specific car model and consider the differences among charger options.
As it stands currently there are 3 different levels of electric car chargers – the first two (levels 1 and 2) are common and recommended for homes, whereas the third is much faster and higher voltage thereby making them more expensive and less suited to a residential situation. Here’s a little more info on the first two car charger levels:
- Level 1 – These are convenient as they actually just plug right into a standard 120 volt outlet found all around your household. That said, while they’re convenient, they charge rather slowly (about 3-5 miles per hour, or ~20 hours for a full charge for many fully electric vehicle batteries) and so are really best suited for light charging such as topping off your battery in a pinch. These can, however, work well for hybrid vehicles with smaller batteries, which they can charge fully in more like 7 hours.
- Level 2 – More common for full daily charging needs, the level 2 chargers charge up to 10 times faster than level 1 meaning you can fully charge most vehicles overnight. These types of chargers require a more involved install and don’t hook right into a typical outlet power source like level 1.
Once you’ve made a selection and purchased a charger, it’s time to install it so that you can draw power from your home electric into your car battery.
EV Charger Installation: Can I Do It Myself?
Installing any car charger above level 1 means routing power from a dedicated circuit in your home’s electrical panel to the (ideally) wall-mounted charging system. So, unless you happen to be a trained electrician with experience in electric car charger installation, you likely shouldn’t do this yourself.
Hiring a well-trained and licensed master electrician may cost more in the short term, but making sure that your charger is wired so that it functions properly, efficiently and safely is well worth the expense. On top of that, there are compliance concerns, and a professional who knows what they’re doing will help ensure your compliance when installing an EV charger.
How Much Does EV Charger Installation Cost?
Another common and reasonable question is how much you might expect to pay when hiring a professional to install your car charger. There are several factors that go into this such as the distance between your electrical panel and the charger installation location and the type of charger being installed. We recommend having an electrician come out to your home to take a look at the situation and provide a custom quote for you rather than going with a blind quote from someone who doesn’t know the specifics of your home electrical and intended charging setup.
While it’s hard to give a very accurate estimate due to the varying factors for each individual, a general ballpark that you can expect to spend is $500 to $2000. The low end mostly applies to those who already have a 240-volt circuit available in their home.
Conclusion
To wrap up, installing an electric car charger in your home can be a huge step in adapting your lifestyle to an electric vehicle. It’s important to select a charger that works well for your specific needs, and thankfully is relatively easy with the help of an experienced electrician once you select a charger.
Searching for a pro for EV charger installation in Denver? We’ve got you covered – get in touch today to arrange for a free estimate for your home.