When you’re looking to get an EV charger installed in your home, it’s important to make sure you have the proper tools for the job. Since this is a long-term installation, it’s worth taking a moment to plan and prepare your house for the process. You’ll save time and money in the long run, so let’s get started. If after reading this you still don’t feel confident handling your Milwaukee EV Charger Installation yourself, you may want to consult with a qualified electrician. They will be able to advise you and help you with installing the perfect residential EV charging station for your electric vehicle.
1. Start with a Plan
It’s important to have a game plan before working on your home. This can be as simple as having a spare room or closet available for installation. Or, you could convert another room into an EV charger charging station, if you prefer. For example, if you want to use your garage for charging, there are several ways to do it that won’t sacrifice much or organizational space.
2. Make Sure There’s an Outlet Available for Charging
Modern EV chargers use up to 240 volts and can draw up to 40 amps, the same as a clothes dryer. This means even a single charger can use enough energy to power all the outlets in your home on its own. That’s why it’s important to make sure your home has enough outlets for charging, and you have a way of upgrading them to accommodate high-powered charging stations. If the main circuits you plan to plug into aren’t rated for high enough amperage, you’ll need an electrician to come out and upgrade them.
3. Consider Your Charging Requirements
There are two main types of EV chargers available at the moment. On-board chargers fill up the battery in your car while driving, while home charging stations can fill up the battery overnight or whenever you have time to charge it. On-board chargers are nice because they keep your car moving while you drive. If you’re in a city with lots of traffic, you’ll want to get an onboard charger installed. But if you have a home charging station, it’s just there for the nights when you don’t feel like driving out of the way to a charging station.
There are plenty of EV chargers available for purchase online, but it’s best to talk with an electrician about your specific needs before making a purchase. They can help you determine what charger is right for you and ensure it’s properly installed.
4. Make Sure You Have a Backup Plan
If your charger isn’t working, you don’t have a way to charge your car. Losing power in the middle of a trip is no fun, but it can be rather dangerous if you’re driving on roads that aren’t well-traveled.
5. Perform Basic Inspections
There’s nothing worse than installing a charger only to find out it’s incompatible with your home wiring. Before installing a new charger, it’s worth doing a quick inspection of your home to ensure there aren’t any obstacles preventing the charger from getting the proper power. You should also check that all the outlets are rated for the amps and voltage of the charging station. If you have any questions about this, you can always call an electrician to come out and answer them for you.
Installing an EV charger in your home is a long-term investment worth the cost, but it’s important to plan. Be prepared with all the tools you need to get started and make sure you have a backup plan in mind if something goes wrong. If you’re ready to get your home ready for an EV charging station, talk to us at Eaton Electric or check out our other articles about home energy efficiency for more information about preparing for an EV charger installation.
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