Electric cars are becoming more affordable and therefore more common sights on the road. If you have recently purchased or are thinking about buying an electric vehicle, you also need a reliable place to charge it. Depending on where you live, public chargers may not be available, or you could get stuck waiting in line behind all the other EV owners in your neighborhood. The best solution is to install an EV charger in your home, but that’s easier said than done. Our NH electricians at Chamberlin Electric have some important tips to share with you about installing an EV charger in your home.
Hire a Professional
Even if you’ve successfully done some minor electrical work in your home, you should not try to install an EV charger yourself. In most cases, you will void the warranty if a licensed electrician does not install the charger. The electrician will need to assess your home’s electrical load to determine whether it can support a dedicated circuit for an EV charger. You may also need permits to install a charger, which an electrician can help you acquire.
Know What You Need
Most EV owners want to be able to charge their cars overnight. To do that, you need a Level 2 charger, which is 240 volts. These chargers use anywhere from 30 to 80 amps. Some older homes will not have the electrical capacity to support a Level 2 charger, so it could be necessary to upgrade to 200 amps. Additionally, if you are installing the charger in a detached garage, you might need to dig a trench to bury a dedicated circuit.
Charge Your EV at Home with NH Electricians from Chamberlin Electric
Charging an EV involves a lot more than just plugging it into the wall. You have to ensure your home has the electrical capacity to charge the vehicle and that your charger is installed correctly. Luckily, you have the experienced and licensed NH electricians at Chamberlin Electric to help you. If you’ve already purchased a charger, we can easily install it. But if you don’t have one or aren’t sure what to get, we can supply one of the models we recommend. Either way, you can rest assured that you can safely and efficiently charge your new EV at home.
