While you won’t be doing the hard labor of connecting the circuits or drilling holes in the walls, you need to know a few things before installing an ideal charging station for your electric car.
There are a lot of facets and factors that you need to consider to install the perfect home charger for your electric car.
Types of Charging Stations
There are three different types of charging stations:
Level 1
Just like how you get a ‘free’ charger in your phone box, level 1 chargers are more or less similar in the case of electric cars. They come with the car and use a 120-volt circuit to operate. However, they can be agonizingly slow, so much so that some might take up to 50 hours to fully charge your car!
Level 2
This is a step up from your level 1 charger and uses 240-volt circuits. These types of chargers allow you to charge your cars faster, they are also easy to install. Klostermann Electric would install the required wiring and necessary circuit protection. These can be installed indoors or outdoors and usually come with a 25 foot cord.
Level 3
Didn’t fast chargers just totally change the standards of waiting for your phones by the switchboard?! Well, level 3 chargers are similar. They consume from 400 to 800 volts and can fully charge your car in less than an hour. However, your electricity supplier might not authorize you to install that on your property.
How Much Would It Cost to Install a Home Charger?
When talking about the cost of installation, it all depends on which level charger you want to have. If you are fine with the level 1 charger that you’ve received with the car, then you are good to go. No extra costs. You can even pitch in $200 and get a more sophisticated level 1 charger.
And, as we discussed earlier, level 3 chargers are out of the question because they consume a lot of energy, and your electricity provider will probably refuse your request.
However, if you want a durable and efficient charger installed at your home, you need to go with a level 2 charger. The ideal price range for a good home charger ranges between $700 to $1000, plus installation. Pricing for the installation can vary based on the distance from the electrical panel to the charger. Call Klostermann Electric for more information.
A helpful tip: Buy the charger during big sales, like Black Fridays, to get insanely low prices. Your house should have an electrical infrastructure that can sustain 60 amps worth of 240v power.
How to Calculate My Charging Time
Now, the biggest question that might be lingering in your head is ‘How long should I charge my car for?’
Let’s assume that an average car travels around 40 miles a day. The level 1 charger can charge your car adequately for that much distance in about 8 hours, which is good enough that you can put it on overnight.
A level 2 charger, on the other hand, has the capability of charging the car for 14–15 miles in an hour, which means it can adequately charge your car in about 3 hours.
Choose the Ideal Home Charger for Your Electric Car
While you will probably get all the necessary equipment to provide basic charging for your electric car, if you want to make the process more efficient, we recommend that you invest in a high-functioning level 2 home charger. It can cut your charging time in half and allow you to make the most efficient use of your electric car.
To ensure your EV charger is installed properly, hire a local electrician like Klostermann Electric. No matter the size or scope, our team of experienced electricians is fully capable of handling any job. And, once your project is completed, we provide training and on-call support on all installed systems. So, what are you waiting for? Contact Klostermann Electric, today.