Who Should I Call for EV Charging Station Installation?
Adding an EV charging station to your Somerset, KY home could promote home value and convenience. These modern amenities boost the appeal of residential properties as they save drivers money and make life infinitely easier. To enjoy these and other benefits, it’s best to schedule EV charger installation with a licensed electrician. Read on to find out why hiring an electrician is a key part of making these improvements.
The Complexities of Level 2 EV Charging Stations
New electric vehicles (EVs) come with Level 1 chargers. These simple, branded devices offer plug-and-play convenience. Drivers can plug them into standard 120-V outlets to charge their EV batteries without making any significant home or electrical system modifications. Unfortunately, these devices can take up to 56 hours to restore a full battery charge. For drivers with long daily commutes, Level 1 chargers are too slow to get the job done.
Level 2 charging stations offer far more rapid charging speeds. These appliances can restore full battery power within just four to 12 hours. However, they require upgraded 240-V outlets. They also need dedicated circuits.
To install a Level 2 charging station, you may need a 240-V outlet added to your targeted installation area. For a more permanent installation, you also have the option of having your charging station hardwired directly into your electrical system.
Getting Your Electrical System Ready for the Extra Demand
Older homes and homes with electrical systems already burdened by high-demand appliances could require one or more electrical system upgrades. To accommodate a Level 2 charger, you’ll need a 200-amp panel or greater.
Our electricians can determine whether you need an upgraded electrical panel or a second electrical panel. We’ll also make sure that all of your home’s wiring is up to code. These and other measures limit the risk of electrical overload, electrical fires, and other hazards.
Finding the Right Space for Your EV Charger
There are also several important spatial concerns when planning these projects. Most Level 2 EV chargers have slim, sleek profiles and minimal cords and attachments. However, you still want to ensure that there’s plenty of room to pull your car in, connect and disconnect it, and pull it back out without running over or otherwise damaging any features.
Assessing Your Surge Protection Needs
Power surges occur whenever your home’s power is disrupted and then restored. For instance, your power might go down during a major storm. When electricity begins to flow again, greater than normal voltage moves through your electrical system. Power surges take a cumulative toll on panels, wiring, circuits, outlets, and connected devices and appliances.
It doesn’t take a major storm to knock your power out. Many homes experience hundreds of smaller, transient power surges throughout the day due to:
- Local load shedding
- Switching power grids
- Using high-power devices and appliances
- Inductive motor loads from refrigerators, vacuums, and more
The cumulative effects of smaller, transient power surges can shorten the lifespan of your electrical system and everything you have plugged in.
If large enough, a single unprotected power surge could cause irreparable damage to your EV charging station. If your vehicle is connected, it might damage your EV battery as well. Thus, when installing these high-value appliances, it’s best to install whole-house surge protection, too. Our electrician can accurately assess your surge protection needs.
Warranty Concerns When Installing an EV Charger
Among the best reasons to hire a licensed electrician when installing an EV charger is to protect your charger’s warranty. Most manufacturers require homeowners to outsource this work to licensed professionals. If you install your own charger, oversights in electrical system modification and surge protection, along with other common installation errors, could result in the automatic loss of your manufacturer’s warranty.
DIY electrical installations can affect other mutually binding agreements and the protections they provide, including your home warranty and your home insurance plan. If your EV charger is ever affected by or the cause of property damage, having it professionally installed could help you avoid frustrating claims denials and delays.
At Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing, we offer an expansive selection of high-quality, high-performing EV charging stations. We also install these appliances to the manufacturer’s specifications and take care of all essential electrical system upgrades, including backup generator installation. For expert electrical services and top-notch EV charger installation in Somerset, get in touch with Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today!
