Homes across the country are slowly making the switch to electric cars. Electric vehicles can help the environment since they don’t burn gas. However, you may need to install a charging station at home if you get one. Consider following these steps to prepare your home for charging an electric car.
Learn About Car Chargers First
Before you buy an electric vehicle charging station, you should know that it’s vital to learn about car chargers first. If you’ve heavily mulled over the pros and cons of using a car charger at home vs. in public, you’re likely interested in learning more.
So what’s there to know? The first thing to be aware of is that the setup isn’t cheap and requires major preparation in your home’s garage. You need to decide on the location, get to see the company selling an EV wall charger to you, and understand the charging levels.
What Are the Charging Levels?
The charging levels differ, and because of the difference, it can impact the length of time it takes to charge your car fully. Here’s a quick breakdown of the electric vehicle charger’s three levels:
- Level 1 runs on a 120-volt unit. Cars using this level gain five miles per hour. The charging rate at this stage takes days to charge fully.
- Level 2 runs on a 240-volt unit. This stage charges the battery in 8 to 12 hours.
- Level 3 is the fastest and charges a car in less than an hour with a 480-volt unit.
Find a Company That Sells EV Chargers
You know you’ve found the right company that sells EV chargers when they take the time to explain all their products’ benefits and the installation process for them. Talk to your customer service rep about how to get your home ready for installation.
Locate the Power Panel
After talking about the installation process, locate the power panel. Knowing where the electrical box is, is the first step in getting your home ready for an EV charging station installation. After finding the box, check with an electrician to see how much power a charging station needs and if your home can handle the electricity.
Get Your Garage Ready
Once you’ve talked with an electrician, you can get the garage ready. Even though the garage is an ideal location for a charging station, you still need to fix it up before the setup. So clear out clutter and organize your tools with shelving and bins. This way, the area will be open for your car to park and plug in once you get home.
The other thing to ask about is electric bills. It’s essential to talk with your electric company about any new additions you add so that they can adjust your bill accordingly and match you with a payment plan. Get your home ready for your electric car charger.