Is It a Good Idea to Install an EV Charger at Home?
You received an electric vehicle. You decided upon a silent ride in the future, reduced emissions, and no more visits at the gas station. However, now you must consider how you can refuel your vehicle. There are public charging stations, yet the best way remains charging in the convenience of your own garage. This guide will consider whether having a home EV charger is a good investment. We will summarize the advantages, the expenses, and the installation. The reasons why it is a perfect upgrade for any EV owner will be revealed.
The Default Option: Understanding Level 1 Charging
When you purchase an electric vehicle, you also get a Level 1 charger. It is a basic cord and it gets plugged into a standard 120-volt household outlet. It is the same outlet you plug a lamp into. The good thing about a Level 1 charger is that you don't have to get anything set up. It is ready to go and you get it for free when you purchase the vehicle.
But the good news ends here. Level 1 charging is slow. It provides about 3 to 5 miles of range for each hour it is in use. If you have a newer EV with a high-capacity battery, full charging requires 40 hours or more. This may work for others having short commutes, but not for the rest of the owners of EVs for day-to-day use.
The Upgrade: The Powerful Case for a Level 2 Charger
A Level 2 charger completely alters the experience of owning an EV. It's a different type of charging station powered by a 240-volt circuit. It's the same circuit as for an electric stove. The motivators for this upgrade are good ones, and they are about more than mere speed.
Unbeatable Convenience and Speed
That is the greatest incentive for installing a Level 2 charger. With a Level 2 charger, you can fully charge the majority of EVs in 4 to 8 hours rather than days. This way, you can fill the vehicle up at night and wake up in the morning and you have a fully powered battery. You will have whatever range the vehicle is capable of. You will no longer fret about having too little power for day-to-day commutes. You won't need to plan trips for visits to the public charging spots.
Significant Long-Term Cost Savings
Public charging stations are good for long trips, but using them every day can cost a lot. The price for electricity at these stations is often much higher than at your home. You can save a lot of money by charging at home, especially at night when electricity is cheaper. A home charger will pay for itself over time with the money you save.
Potential to Increase Your Home's Value
Electric vehicles are becoming more common. So, a house with an EV charger already installed is a feature more people want. It is a modern upgrade that shows a home is ready for the future. A professional, permitted ev charger installation can be a real selling point that adds value to your house.
The Big Question: EV Charging Station Installation Cost
You should also know the price prior to the purchase. The overall price is for the charger and for the installation by a qualified person. The price may vary a great deal based on the electrical system in the home and the locality.
The Charger Itself
The price for a good, safe Level 2 charger usually costs between $500 and $1,500 CAD. The cost depends on the brand and its features. "Smart" chargers with Wi-Fi and app controls will cost more. Simpler chargers that do not connect to the internet are cheaper.
The Cost of Installation
This is the part of the cost that changes the most. A simple installation by a licensed electrician in Canada can cost between $700 and $2,000 CAD. This price usually includes putting in a new 240-volt circuit from your electrical panel to your garage. It also includes the right breaker and putting the charger on the wall.
Putting It All Together: How Much to Install EV Charger at Home Canada
For people in Canada, you can expect the total cost for the charger and installation to be between $1,200 and $3,500 CAD. A very important thing for Canadians is that there are government rebates. Federal and provincial governments often have programs that give you money back. These can pay for a large part of the cost, so it is a much better deal. Always check for rebates in your province.
The Process: How to Install EV Charger at Home
One must carry out the work in a professional manner, yet having the procedures in mind helps ease the task. The work normally includes obvious safety and regulations.
Choose Your Charger: Choose a charger you can use in an automobile and has the features you want. Let them know whether you'd like a plug-in or a hardwired one.
Check Your Electrical Panel: The primary electrical panel in your home should handle the new circuit, typically 40 or 50 amps. The panel is either suitable or need a new installation and the electrician will consult you. The upgrade would also cost extra money.
Hire a Licensed Electrician: You should never do this one by yourself. You must employ an appropriately trained and licensed electrician for insurance and safety. They will stick to the areas' regulations and secure the necessary permits.
Permitting and Installation: The electrician gets the permit. The charger is then installed on the wall, the panel wires pulled in, a new breaker installed and tested and the entire system checked for safety.
A Greener Approach: Powering Your EV with the Sun
To be exceptionally good for the environment, you can supply your EV with clean energy from home. You can set up solar panels in a way that you can generate electricity at home, so that you can charge your car. Your car will then have absolutely zero emissions. It benefits the earth, and it can also eliminate the car's fuel expenses.
Mating your charger with quality panels, such as the 400W 23% Conversion Rate EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel, allows you to make the best use of the green energy in your home. This allows for a system in which your home provides energy for the car and the car uses the energy of the sunlight.
So, Is a Home EV Charger a Good Idea?
For the vast majority of owners of EVs, the answer is a definitive yes. The price tag initially might create a problem for a very few. But the genuine benefits of convenience, time-saving, and saved money spent on petrol make it a very good investment for any owner of an electric vehicle. You can take control of your home's power, especially when you use a lasting solution like the EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel to power your future. Waking up daily and having a fully powered-up battery does make the experience of using an electric vehicle better.