EV Charger Installation at Home: What You Need to Know

Once you get an electric vehicle, the most convenient way to charge it is at home. However, your Level 1 charger might not be fast enough to charge it fully while you sleep. By getting an EV charger installation, you can avoid the inconvenience of public charging stations and charge from home. 

Learn more about EV chargers by reaching out to Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical today.

Why Install a Home EV Charger?

As a homeowner, there are a few important reasons why you should invest in a home EV charger installation.

• Convenience: Electric vehicles are much easier to charge at home. You don’t have to wait for other vehicles to finish charging in order to charge your car. More importantly, you don’t have to waste your day looking for different public chargers when your usual public charger is broken for the second time in a month. 
• Cost Savings: While public chargers are still cheaper than filling your tank with gas, they are much more expensive than just using electricity from your utility provider.
• Faster Charging: When you first get your EV, you can normally charge from your standard outlet using a Level 1 charger. Level 1 chargers are significantly slower than Level 2 charging. With a quick upgrade, you can reduce your charging time significantly.

Types of EV Chargers for Your Home

Before you install an EV charging station at home, the first step is knowing which type of EV charger you need. While there are Level 3 chargers available at public charging stations, the most cost-effective options for homeowners are Level 1, Level 2, and smart chargers.

Level 1 Chargers 

A Level 1 charger is essentially your home’s standard electrical outlets. They typically provide 2 to 5 miles of driving range for every hour of charging. While this might be fine if you drive less than 40 miles per day, it may be too slow for anyone who has a longer commute to work.

Level 2 Chargers 

With a Level 2 charger, you get a 240V outlet and significantly faster charging speeds. These chargers can typically charge 10 to 20 miles per hour. Assuming your car is plugged in for around 10 hours a night, this means you can charge between 100 and 200 miles while you’re at home. 

Unsurprisingly, Level 2 chargers tend to be the most common EV charging installation for Bend homeowners. They are much faster than Level 1 and are more convenient.

Smart Chargers 

With smart chargers, you can reduce the amount of energy your home uses and enjoy more convenient features. Smart chargers are wi-fi enabled, so you can easily monitor the progress of your vehicle’s charging process. They are also equipped with advanced scheduling features, so charging can occur during off-peak hours when electricity is at its cheapest.

What You Need Before Installing an EV Charger

If you are looking for an EV charging electrician in Bend, OR, our team can walk you through the entire process. Before you can install an EV home charging setup, you first need to make sure you have everything in order.

• Electrical Panels: Because your home’s electrical systems will be using more power, you’ll likely need to upgrade your existing electrical panel to safely accommodate the increased demand.
• Dedicated 240V Circuit: A Level 2 charger uses a 240V circuit, so you’ll need to get a new circuit installed. To ensure the safety of your family and home, the only thing that should be on the circuit is your EV charger.
• Permits: Depending on where you live, you may need to have your new setup permitted. Our team understands local electrical codes, so we can make sure you are in compliance.
• Garage and Outdoor Installation Considerations: When setting up an outdoor or garage installation, you’ll want to consider how close it is to the breaker panel and where your car will be. Additionally, you need to make sure there is still space to move without tripping over the charging cable. If the cable is outdoors, you’ll need to weatherproof it to protect it from the elements.

How Much Does EV Charger Installation Cost?

A typical EV charger costs an average of $965, but the actual cost can vary from as little as $300 to up to $2,500. The following are just a few of the factors that can impact your Level 2 EV charger installation cost.

• Wiring: The length of the wiring and the type of materials needed will impact the overall cost of the project.
• Charger Type: The charger unit can easily vary in cost between different brands and manufacturers. Whether you get a Level 1 or Level 2 charger will play a major role in determining your overall costs.
• Outdoor Installations: Because they require weatherproofing, outdoor installations can be more expensive. 
• Panel Upgrades: In most cases, upgrading a panel will set you back between $1,300 and $3,000.

If cost is holding you back, it’s important to remember that there are specific rebates and incentives available to lower the cost of EV chargers. For example, Go Electric Oregon maintains a long list of all the cities and utility providers that currently provide EV charger rebates for new installations. 

Why Hire a Licensed Electrician

If you are looking for an EV charging electrician in Bend, OR, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you are a homeowner or business owner, hiring a licensed electrician is important for a few key reasons. 

• Safety & Code Compliance: Each city and county has its own building codes. To ensure your work is fully up to code, you need a licensed electrician.
• Load Calculation and Panel Inspection: To protect your family’s safety, you need an electrician to calculate the load you need. They can also inspect your circuit breaker panel to make sure it can handle the increased electrical load.
• Permitting and Inspections: Many areas require permits if you want to set up any new electrical systems or wiring. Our team understands the permitting and inspection requirements in each area, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of dealing with permit applications.
• Risk Prevention: By working with a skilled electrician, you can avoid the many risks associated with DIY repairs and installations

EV Charger Installation in Bend & Redmond, OR

At Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we’ve been the area’s leading provider of home services since 1993. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for our local expertise and high-quality results. As a part of our EV charger installation, we provide upfront pricing, a money-back guarantee, and flexible financing options. We go the extra mile to ensure local homeowners have safe, compliant electrical services.

Learn more by scheduling your EV charger installation today.