While there are over 2,000 public charging stations in St. Louis, MO, less than one-quarter of them are free to use. Charging your EV anywhere but home could prove both costly and inconvenient. It can also place your EV battery at risk of overload and temperature-related damage. Fortunately, you can enjoy the efficiency and speed of a Level 2 charging station while adding value to your property, reducing your charging costs, and protecting your EV battery’s health. The following are several simple steps to prepare for home EV charger installation.
Decide Between Indoor and Outdoor Charger Installation
With the right electrical system upgrades, most if not all homes can accommodate Level 2 EV charging stations. This remains true whether you have a compact garage, lots of indoor clutter, or little room for pulling in and out without running over charging cords or other equipment.
You can install your home charging station inside your garage or on the side of your driveway. Outdoor chargers are built to withstand the ravages of the natural elements year-round. They’re also just as convenient to use as those that are mounted on garage walls.
Outdoor chargers work well for detached garages, garages with limited usable space, and homeowners who prefer parking outside. The tradeoff is that indoor chargers are less costly and also tend to last a bit longer. Although outdoor stations are weather-resistant, they still sustain wear from any heavy wind and rain that occurs, near-constant UV ray exposure, and extreme temperatures. If you aren’t sure whether indoor or outdoor installation is right for you, your installer can help you choose.
Hire an Electrician
Using the branded Level 1 charging cord that came with your EV is easy. Simply connect it to your car and plug it into any standard 120-volt outlet within reach. Level 2 charger installation, on the other hand, is hardly a plug-and-play operation. These stations draw far more power to get the job done faster. As a result, they require special, dedicated outlets and their own dedicated circuits.
You have the option of hardwiring your EV charger directly into your electrical system. No matter which installation method you choose, you’ll need a licensed electrician to do the heavy lifting. An electrician will make sure that your home charging equipment and all related wiring are safe and up to code. Attempting EV charger installation as a DIY project can result in electrocution, the risk of electrical fires, and the loss of your EV charger’s warranty.
Decide Whether to Hardwire Your New Charger or Plug It In
There are pros and cons to both hardwiring a charger and plugging it into a dedicated 240-volt outlet. It’s important to consider your short and long-term goals for your home, your EV, and potential future vehicles.
The Benefits of Plugging Your Charger In
According to ENERGY STAR, plugging your car charger in rather than hardwiring it will provide far greater flexibility. For instance, when your charger reaches the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced, you can simply unplug it and find a new one. You might still need an electrician to assist with the replacement, but your total replacement costs will be lower than if swapping out a hardwired model.
Opting to plug a unit in also allows for portability. If you sell your home, head to a vacation home for an extended stay, or rent your property out, you don’t have to leave your charging equipment behind. Even with your charging equipment removed, having the infrastructure for supporting a Level 2 EV charging station will still add to the value and marketability of your home.
The Benefits of Hardwiring Your Charger
Hardwired chargers offer more amperage options than plug-in chargers. Many also provide faster charging speeds. If you want to minimize your vehicle’s downtime and get full battery power with the shortest possible wait, hardwiring is the way to go. Hardwiring is also an excellent choice for homeowners with more than one vehicle to support. Some Level 2 chargers can charge multiple vehicles at once, for example.
Update Your Electrical Panel
Whether you choose to plug your new charger in or hardwire it into your electrical system, you’re installing another high-demand appliance in your home. This addition could warrant an electrical panel upgrade, especially if you haven’t upgraded your panel in a while. By hiring an electrician, you can make sure that your electrical system can safely and efficiently support your charging equipment.
Install Whole-House Surge Protection
A new EV charger means having more high-value electronics to protect from power surges. With each power outage that occurs in your home, your outlets, wires, appliances, and gadgets sustain cumulative damage. In addition to weather-related outages and surges, you must also account for the transient power surges that constantly happen throughout the day. These smaller spikes in voltage can wear your new charger down long before its time.
You can protect your EV home charger and everything else that you have plugged in by installing whole-house surge protection. A whole-home surge protector will divert excess energy into the ground before it affects your electronics and wiring. If you intend to invest in high-end home charging equipment, be sure to look at the manufacturer’s warranty, as well as that of the vehicle’s battery. It’s not uncommon for warranties to require surge protection for validity.
Plan for Smart Home Integration
Homes throughout St. Louis are becoming increasingly smart. Many locals have smart home control systems, smart lights, smart security, and more. If this is the case in your home, be sure to choose charging equipment that you can easily integrate with your existing smart home features. This will make it easier to monitor your EV battery’s health and disconnect your battery once it’s fully charged.
Our team can assess your current home integrations and help you find the perfect charging equipment for assured compatibility. After upgrading your electrical panel, installing surge protection, and setting your charging equipment up, we can also integrate its smart features as needed.
Clear Out Clutter and Eliminate Obstructions
Among the most important steps in preparing your home for EV charger installation is clearing out clutter. Make sure that your electrician has easy access to both the installation area and your electrical panel. Keeping the installation area clear will also help you pull your vehicle in, connect, disconnect, and pull back out without accidentally running over critical components.
If your garage is in extreme disarray, this is a great time to invest in shelves, stackable storage containers, and other organization equipment. Hanging tools from peg boards and moving lawn care equipment to an outside storage shed or the other side of your garage will eliminate trip and fall hazards and prevent property damage and physical injuries.
We help homeowners in St. Louis electrify, protect, and improve their properties. We offer electric vehicle charger and smart home installations and integrations. We also provide surge protection, electrical panel upgrades, and standby generators. To request a quote or schedule an appointment, get in touch with Potts Electric now.
