Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are rising in popularity, and many homeowners want to take the most advantage of the trend by adding at-home charging. An EV charger is an excellent way to save money, reduce emissions, and simply avoid the inconvenience of stopping at gas stations.
However, adding an EV charger requires some serious thought and a professional installation. It’s important to understand the terminology, costs, requirements, and benefits associated with adding an EV charging station to your property.
Terminology
There are three levels of RV charging stations. Level 1 and 2 chargers are common in residential settings, and Level 3 chargers are far more likely to appear at businesses and public charging stations.
Level 1
Level 1 EV chargers represent the slowest available models, providing about three to five miles of driving range per hour. The main benefit of a Level 1 charger is that it doesn’t require major changes in most homes. A Level 1 charger operates at 120 volts, the same as you get directly from the wall. As long as your home’s electrical panel has a spare circuit breaker slot, our electricians can easily set up a Level 1 system.
The main downside to a Level 1 charger is that you’re not going to get a ton of range from charging the vehicle overnight. At most, you would expect 50 miles of range after twelve hours of charging.
Level 2
The big selling point for installing a Level 2 system is that it can deliver as much as 60 miles of charging range per hour. Level 2 chargers operate at 240 volts, the same as you’ll see for many washing machines, electric ovens, and electric dryers in homes. If your home already supports a 240-volt outlet, there is also a decent chance that the electrical panel can support an additional 240-volt circuit breaker for the EV charger.
Notably, the circuit’s amperage is critical to get the most miles per charging hour. A 16-amp circuit breaker, the least strong option, is likely to deliver about 12 miles of charging range per hour. There are also options for 30, 40, and 48 amps. If you want the peak charging capacity for Level 2, then you’ll want to have our electrician install a 48-amp circuit breaker.
Level 3
Level 3 chargers support 480-volt power and use three-phase power. Both are extremely uncommon choices for residential use. The necessary upgrades for a house to support a Level 3 charger go beyond the work of a residential electrician, requiring the electrical company to install a transformer that supports commercial-grade power. This includes things like switchgear, transformers, and even cooling systems for the equipment.
Since a Level 2 charger can easily charge any modern vehicle overnight, you only see Level 3 chargers at public charging stations, parking lots, and some businesses. This is because governments and businesses have economies of scale that spread the cost by supporting multiple chargers at one location.
Costs
Level 1 chargers typically cost less than $1,000 for the equipment, and some are less than $500. However, these systems cost you a lot of charging time. If you have a long commute and no access to charging at your destination, you will likely find a Level 1 charger to be unfeasible. Level 1 chargers often can plug into standard three-prong outlets, so the installation cost shouldn’t be much more than the price of adding an appropriately located outlet. If your home doesn’t have proper grounding, that would be an additional cost.
The equipment cost for a basic Level 2 charger is only a couple of hundred dollars more. You can find more expensive models that tend to offer additional features, with higher-end models going a bit over a couple of thousand dollars. These high-end solutions often offer features like notifications, scheduling, Wi-Fi connectivity, and consumption monitoring.
Installation expenses may go higher, particularly if your home needs an electrical panel upgrade to accommodate the new equipment. Generally, it’s best to make sure your electrical panel offers at least 200 amps of output. Many older houses only have 100-amp panels, but most newer residences provide 200 amps. A 200-amp setup ensures that you’ll have spare capacity in case you want to run the washer and dryer while the car charges.
Service and panel upgrades will likely run several thousand dollars, if necessary, but they are good additions to a modern home with or without an EV charging station. Some other costs with a charger will vary depending on the station’s location. Conduit, trenching, and weatherproofing for a line to a detached garage, for example, may tack on a few hundred more dollars. A long run can incur more costs.
Benefits
Savings
The main attraction of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is the ability to quickly save money by reducing or eliminating gas consumption. In most localities, a typical commuter can save about a thousand dollars per year by driving an EV. Folks who have longer commutes may save more. Your savings will vary based on gas prices and current electricity rates.
Depending upon the seriousness of the required upgrades, the payback period for an EV charger could be fairly short. In the best-case scenario, a Level 2 charger ought to pay for itself within three years. Also, it is worth noting that a home that doesn’t support Level 2 charging likely has an old and under-capacity electrical panel that’s due for an upgrade.
Credits, Rebates, and Rates
Federal tax credits are common for most kinds of EV charging stations. The current tax benefit is 30% of the station’s cost up to $1,000. State and local governments also frequently offer tax credits, but you should ask your accountant or tax preparer what’s available.
Many utility companies offer rebates for households that install specific types of EV chargers. You may be eligible for a discounted rate during off-peak hours, too. Contact your electric company to find out what incentives it may offer.
Home Value
An EV charging station is an appealing addition to a home. You can expect the addition of a professionally installed system to typically add about three to five percent to your home’s resale value.
Safety and Compliance
EV charging systems represent a significant investment in both your home and your vehicle. Professional installation is a must. This is particularly true if the installation requires accessing the panel or upgrading the service entrance.
Hiring our electrical services team shields you from liability for anything that might affect your neighborhood’s power grid. Likewise, the warranty for your car’s battery and electrical system may also require a professional charger installation. We can make sure that your new charging system is completely compliant with all relevant electrical codes, too.
Mend Services is a licensed company and has an A+ rating with the BBB. We handle a wide range of residential electrical projects, including working on panels, EV chargers, and circuit breakers. Our team is also available 24/7 to deal with emergencies.
If you’re ready to install an EV charger at your home in Austin, TX or a nearby community, contact Mend Services today.
