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With the increase in electric vehicle technology alongside new state regulations to push toward a greener country, the need for home charging technology has increased. While there are certainly many public charging stations, they’re not convenient when it comes to daily charging unless you happen to work right near one. Getting a home EV charging station can be the ideal way to successfully and conveniently charge your new electric vehicle.
The Types of Home EV Charging
There are two different styles of home EV charging stations that you can use for your electric vehicle: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 charging uses a specialized plug that comes along with the vehicle and is powered by a standard 120-volt outlet. This type of charge takes a long time of around 20 hours to give your car a range of about 125 miles.
The second is a Level 2 dedicated charger that runs on 240 volts. There are a few different types of these chargers on the market. The charging time for using a Level 2 dedicated charger is usually anywhere between three and seven times faster than Level 1 charging. The exact charge time will highly depend on your electric vehicle’s battery size and the type of Level 2 charger that you invest in.
Faster Charging Speeds
Probably one of the most significant benefits of having a dedicated home EV charging station is that it can offer you fast charging for your vehicle. While it’s completely possible to charge your vehicle with a standard 120-volt outlet, it can take some time. With a dedicated home EV charging station, you can enjoy charging speeds up to three times faster. Newer high-powered models can even allow charging up to five times faster than traditional wall outlets.
Enhanced Safety
EV charging uses up a high amount of intense energy. When you use a traditional wall outlet, charging can put a strain on your home’s electrical circuit and even lead to a power overload. Furthermore, using an extension cord can pose an even higher risk of overloading the circuit and having an electrical fire. A dedicated charger is specifically designed to not only withstand rough outdoor conditions but it has a direct link to your meter box. This allows it to draw a high amount of electricity without the need for overloading your electrical circuits.
Smart Technology Control
Another great benefit of having your own dedicated EV charging station is that it can utilize smart technology to make life more convenient for you. These dedicated EV Chargers connect to an application on your smartphone that will give you more control over the charging process. You can manage when charging happens remotely from your smartphone and gain more insights into your energy usage and charging cost. You can even receive wireless updates to your software, allowing you to enjoy new features and fix new bugs in the system.
Longer Battery Life
While public charging stations are great for getting the charge you need to keep going, they shouldn’t be used regularly. Doing so can drastically shorten the battery of your electric vehicle. The best way to help extend the life of your battery is to do a longer charge with a little less power. Each car manufacturer will have their own recommendations on the ideal charging time to extend the life of your car’s battery.
By having a dedicated home EV charging station, you can set your charger based on the recommendations for your vehicle. Even better, you can ensure that your car still charges within a reasonable amount of time instead of waiting forever for a wall outlet to recharge your vehicle.
Higher Home Values
With EV charging becoming more and more popular due to the increase of electric vehicles throughout California, it’s no surprise that it’s a must-have for homebuyers. If you decide to install an EV charging station in your home, it will increase its overall resale value. This can allow you to recoup some of the cost of installation when you sell your home in the future.
Installation Incentives
If you invest in a Level 2 EV charging station, you can typically cash in on some local utility and state incentives. Both the state and the utility companies are trying to encourage more people to invest in eco-friendly electric vehicle technology. For this reason, they typically reward people who have a charging station installed in their homes with rebate incentives. This can help to reduce the upfront purchasing cost for your new electric vehicle charging station.
Things to Consider When Selecting the Perfect Home EV Charging Station
If you’ve decided that a dedicated home EV charging station is the ideal option for you, then there are various factors that you’ll want to take into consideration when selecting one. Typically, one of the most significant factors that homeowners must consider is the overall operating efficiency of the charging station. While chargers with a higher efficiency rating will cost more upfront, they can save you a bundle over time in the form of energy savings. Another feature to consider is the overall ease of use of the charging station. It’s important for your new charger to be user-friendly. For example, having LED indicator lights that will tell you the status of your charging session can make a big difference in the usability of your new charger.
EV charging stations are now available with smart technology. These systems allow you to actively monitor and control the charging process for your electric vehicle. Smart technology brings convenience to a whole other level. You can learn about the different costs associated with charging your electric vehicle and receive suggestions on how to better optimize your charging times to fit off-peak electrical demand hours. This will do wonders for lowering the overall costs associated with charging your electric vehicle.
A Note on Installation
While using a Level 1 charger doesn’t require any professional assistance, having a Level 2 charging station installed at your home does. This type of station typically requires a local building permit to be granted in order to complete the installation process. Many municipalities won’t authorize permits for homeowners. Rather, they require a licensed electrician to obtain the permit.
Furthermore, Level 2 charging requires a much higher voltage of double a traditional outlet. An individual with adequate knowledge of how to safely handle this larger voltage should perform the installation process. This will go a long way in providing you with peace of mind about the safety and effectiveness of your new home EV charging station.
Expert EV Charging Installation Service
Home Team Electric offers expert EV charging installation and other essential electrical services for the Palm Springs, CA area. We can also assist with all your ceiling fan, pool inspection, electrical code compliance, circuit breaker, emergency repair, electrical panel, whole-home generator, smoke detector, indoor and outdoor lighting, whole-home surge protection, wiring, and rewiring needs. Call us today to book your next service consultation with one of our knowledgeable electricians.
