Home charging stations are one of the easiest ways to recharge your electric vehicle (EV) battery. Home charging solutions are convenient and cost-saving. If you’re looking to add an EV charging station to your home, here’s everything you need to know to make that decision.
Home EV charging station locations
When installing your electric car charging station, it’s vital to look for the right location. Note the length of the provided charger cable and see if it fits your space by measuring the distance between the outlet and the charging portal on your EV.
Although many people with EVs have garages, some might need to install their home charging station outdoors, where it has less protection from the elements. Durability is one factor that shouldn’t be overlooked while shopping for an EV charger to use at home.
If you’re considering an outdoor EV charging station, make sure that it will withstand sun exposure, wind, and water for the long term.
Different sizes of home EV charging stations
Most EVs come with a plug-in charger for home use, but these charging cables are usually about 10 feet long and plug into standard electric outlets. They’re 120-volt chargers also known as Level 1 chargers or slow-flow chargers because they only deliver about four miles of range per hour of charge.
Many EV owners choose to up their game with the installation of a Level 2 charger. At 240 volts and amperage that goes as high as 50, these chargers are many times faster and can fully charge your battery overnight, so you wake up with full range (or 80%, which many EV manufacturers recommend), giving you confidence and convenience on the road.
Level 2 chargers that work the fastest and operate safely in weather require hardwiring by an electrician to connect them directly to your electrical panel. Others can be plugged into a 240-volt circuit (like you have for your clothes dryer and stove) that already exists or is installed in your garage or carport.
Home EV charging speeds
Here are more details on the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 home charger:
Level 1 charging stations plug into standard 120-volt plugs and take a little more than 24 hours to deliver an 80 percent battery charge; roughly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. An overnight charge will result in 24 to 40 miles of range. This may work well for those with short commutes but may not work for everyone.
For those who need faster charging speeds at home, a Level 2 charging station can deliver 80 percent battery charge in four to five hours. It can be plugged directly into a 240-volt plug or directly into an electric panel.
Level 2 charging stations are the fastest way to charge your EV at home.
How much is EV charging at home?
When charging your electric car in a public charging station it costs between 30 and 60 cents per kilowatt. In North Carolina, the average retail rate for residential electricity is 9.43 cents per kilowatt. This saves you a lot of money every time you charge, making charging your electric car at home by far the cheapest option.
Cost to Install an EV Charging Station
Level 2 chargers themselves cost about $350-$700. The installation cost for your at-home EV charger will likely vary in cost depending on a few things, such as:
- If the charger is being hardwired into your electric panel or not.
- The distance between your electric panel and the charger installation spot.
Finding EV charging station contractor in Southeastern North Carolina
If you’re ready to take the next step and install your EV home station, contact our team at A+ Heating & Cooling. We can help you choose the best Level 2 EV charger for your Brunswick, Columbus, or New Hanover County home and provide experienced, professional installation. Call us at 910-600-6025 or request service online.