With the release of Tesla electric vehicles, more and more people are now investing in an electric car and, therefore, are becoming more interested in installing ports for electric car charging in their homes. With that said, it is important to understand the significance of electric car charging ports and whether or not it is worth the investment.
For the average person, having an electric car charging port in their home ensures that they have an appropriate charge for the vehicle while it is parked overnight. It also ensures that your vehicle has enough of a charge when it comes time to take long trips. If you are thinking about making an investment in an electric car it is important to determine whether or not an electric car charging installation is right for you.
IMPORTANT FACTORS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ABOUT INSTALLING A CAR CHARGER
There are a number of factors you should take into consideration when trying to decide whether or not installing an electric car charger is right for you.
What is your current electrical infrastructure at your home?
Before taking into consideration the installation of a charging port or even plugging a car charger into your home’s power supply, it is wise to have a professional electrician perform an inspection of your current electrical infrastructure. You may very well have sufficient wiring and outlets in your parking area or garage, but there is a chance you may lack the sufficient infrastructure needed.
Only a licensed electrician can determine whether or not your home electrical system meets with the necessary standards to install a charger. So be sure to reach out to Gervais Electric and let one of our highly skilled and experienced electricians perform a thorough inspection of your home electrical system.
Where and how often do you need to plug in?
When deciding on whether to install a car charger, it makes good sense to assess the overall usage of your vehicle as well as the type of electric vehicle you own. This will help you to choose the best solution specific to your individual needs. If you only drive your vehicle to work and your employer has a car charging port, then using the port available to you each day makes good sense. Also, while traveling local distances, you can more than likely plug in at parking stations, shopping malls and other local charging stations as needed.
However, most individuals who own an electric car will more times than not want to have their very own car charging port at their home to be able to recharge and refuel in a location where the vehicle spends the majority of its time. Charging your electric vehicle at home can take amounts of time that vary, so be sure to determine what solution is efficient and meets with your individual needs.
How fast does it charge?
When you set out on your daily travels you want to be sure you are starting out with a full vehicle charge. How quickly you are able to attain a full charge is dependent upon the option you choose for charging. If you elect to plug your vehicle into a standard home outlet, often referred to as level 1 charging, it will charge your vehicle but do so very slowly because you are using 120 volts rather than a specialized charging port.
The recharge time also relies upon your battery capacity and the amount of driving you have done since your last vehicle charge. Installing a 240-volt charging port, referred to as a level 2 charger, requires a 240-volt power supply and typically a wiring upgrade in your home. Again, this should be performed by a professional electrician. You can contact Gervais Electric to discuss the charging options you have and the steps needed to upgrade the electrical infrastructure and charging power in your home.
The actual installation of your car charger
Finding a licensed and insured professional electrician to perform your electric car charging installation is key to the whole process. An electrician will assess the infrastructure of your home along with the area where you want to install the charger, to ensure that a proper installation can be performed. Having a professional electrician is essential to both the preparation and the overall charging station installation to ensure that your new charging port functions both properly and safely. An electrician will take care of necessary permits and building inspector approval as well.
TRUST OUR RELIABLE TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS
Gervais Electric, Inc. takes a great deal of pride in our team of licensed professionals who is steadfast in their commitment to meet the individual needs of all our valued clients. Whether you are looking to install a new electric car charging port in your home, or have any other electrical needs, rest assured we are the team for you. Give us a call to schedule an inspection of your home electrical infrastructure or discuss any other electrical concerns you may have. We look forward to serving you with only the highest quality products and services!
