Charging your EV at home is probably the most convenient solution to keeping you on the road. But what is next once you have decided to purchase an EV charger for your home?
While EV stations at supermarkets and shopping malls can offer a handy boost, there is no substitute for having access to EV charging at home whenever you need it. Charging your EV at home is probably the most convenient solution to keeping you on the road. But what is next once you have decided to purchase an EV charger for your home?
First, you will have to decide between a hardwired or a plug-in EV charger. We can skip ahead here: if you want something weatherproof, faster-charging, and easier to use, then hardwired is your go-to. This means that you will need to install an EV charger on the exterior of your home or in your garage. And in doing so, there are a few choices to make before you are set up and ready to go.
CHECK HOME’S AVAILABLE ELECTRICAL CAPACITY
Checking the capacity of your household electricity outlet is key to the successful installation of a home EV charger. If unsure, a qualified electrician can help guide you through this process and ensure that your home is ready to add EV charging to its grid.
CHOOSE LOCATION WISELY
This is pretty straightforward – where will you put your EV charging station? Ideally, you want somewhere next to a driveway where you can park your EV while it charges. Some cover for the EV charging station is also helpful, although this is not always necessary as most models have a durable build. For example, TeltoCharge is IP55, and IK10 rated, meaning it can be safely installed indoors and outdoors.
DETERMINE THE SUITABLE POWER CAPACITY OF AN EV CHARGER
After checking your household outlet, you need to decide on the power range of the EV charger that works with your car and your home’s available electrical capacity. It directly impacts EV charging speed. The more power the EV charger delivers, the faster your EV will be full.
DECIDE ON THE TETHERED OR UNTETHERED EV CHARGER
The two types of EV chargers present two different sets of strengths and weaknesses. Of course, there is much more to this question than can be covered here but simply put: tethered comes with an inbuilt charging cable, and untethered is a port to which a separate cable can then be attached.
There is no straightforward answer as to which is better. The choice will depend on your individual setup, but rest assured that the best home EV charger manufacturers usually offer their solutions in both tethered and untethered forms.
EVALUATE NECESSARY CABLE LENGTH
This will depend on whether you go with tethered or untethered, as the greater flexibility afforded by the latter allows you to defer this decision – or even get it wrong! Suppose you choose a tethered station with a cable that is too short. In that case, you may make an expensive and time-consuming mistake. In contrast, with untethered, you can simply return the cable. Whichever way you go about it, a good tip is always to buy a slightly too-long cable – you do not want your parking to have to be millimeter-perfect every time!
GO FOR SMART EV CHARGING
Modern EV chargers usually come with a range of smart features that enable you to have pinpoint control over how they charge your vehicle. Scheduling, for example, allows you to let your EV charger operate only during the hours when electricity rates are at their cheapest, saving you money and reducing wider grid demand.
CONSIDER EV CHARGER’S DESIGN
Technical discussions aside, fundamentally, you are adding an object to your home, so it is important that it looks good. There are two approaches here. The first is spending arduous hours browsing through every EV charging solution provider until you find the exact setup that matches or complements the exterior of your home. The second is much easier: check out TeltoCharge and design it yourself.
MAKE SURE YOUR EV CHARGER IS PROTECTED BY THE WARRANTY
Hope things do not go wrong, but plan for if they do. This simple mantra is always effective, and home EV charging stations are no exception. Choosing a provider with faith in their product to offer a lasting warranty is always wise. A one-year warranty is easily beaten, two years is more like it, but ideally, you want three plus. With TeltoCharge, you have it covered.
KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY EV CHARGING INCENTIVES
If the idea of your perfect home EV charger is starting to take form, it is worth taking at least a cursory glance at the legislation before you place your order. Incentives and subsidies can offer extra financial rewards for being at the cutting edge of this new technology and helping to usher in the renewable era – a helpful boost, as if you needed any more convincing.
HAVE YOUR EV CHARGER INSTALLED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
The final stage in this process is installation, a hassle-free and straightforward procedure for those who are qualified. Do not attempt installing an EV charger yourself. Instead, find a professional with experience installing EV chargers to ensure your setup’s smooth and safe installation. If you are having trouble with this step, contact the manufacturer of your charging station, as they often have specialist teams of installers who are well-versed in the unique requirements of installing each solution.
ENJOY SEAMLESS EV CHARGING
The product selected, rewards secured, and installation organized – congratulations on joining the EV revolution. All that remains now is to sit back, wait for delivery, and practice trying not to look too smug when your neighbors compliment your new setup.
