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3 Benefits of Charging Your EV at Home

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3 Benefits of Charging Your EV at Home

Do you plan to purchase an electric vehicle, or maybe you already own one? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then it’s time to consider whether or not you should invest in a home charging station. While there may be public areas to charge your vehicle on the road, there are many benefits to having an EV charger at home.

Before you explore EV charging options, Spotlight Energy Solutions will break down some of the main benefits of residential charging.

#1: More Convenient

While public EV charging stations are becoming more common, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are convenient. Not only do you need to plan your routes to find them, but they may also be out of service or in use by another driver when you arrive. With an EV charger at home, you can charge your vehicle at your convenience.

Imagine how much more enjoyable your electric vehicle would be if you didn’t have to rely on public charging stations! No more wasted hours lining up and waiting for your vehicle to be charged. No more panic when you have a hard time finding a charging station. Just plug your EV into your home charger and focus on other daily tasks until you need to leave again.

#2: Cost-Efficient

When considering installing an EV charger at home, you might ask yourself if you will save money compared to charging your vehicle at a public station. After the initial investment of installing an EV charger at home, there are significant cost savings that you can benefit from. Instead of making payments every time you visit a public charging station, you can control the cost of charging your vehicle since you are using your electricity at home.

One way you can do this is by taking advantage of charging during off-peak hours. Many utility providers offer lower off-peak prices when the electricity demand is lower. By taking advantage of this and charging your vehicle at night or during the weekend, you can save considerably in the long run.

#3: Safer Charging

Two of the biggest safety concerns with charging your electric vehicle at a public location are the lack of lighting at stations in parking lots and the charging station being located off the beaten path. With minimal foot traffic or amenities near the charging location, you are left vulnerable and may even need to stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. Charging your EV at home gives you a sense of security that you can’t find at a public station.

On top of the security you have from charging at home, installing your own charging station is safer for your vehicle’s battery. Public charging stations often offer a “fast charge” that may be great for when you’re in a pinch, but they tend to wear your battery down faster over time. By charging your vehicle at home to the optimal amount at the manufacturer-recommended speed, you can extend the life of your battery.

Are you interested in installing an EV charging station at home? Our team at Spotlight Energy Solutions is ready to help you! Get in touch with us today at (800) 346-6254 or visit our website.

EV Charger Installation: What Variables Affect Pricing?

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EV Charger Installation: What Variables Affect Pricing?

There are many benefits to charging your electric vehicle at home. It is convenient, can save you money, and is better for your battery. Before contacting a professional for installation, it’s essential to know the variables that can affect pricing.

The two main factors that will affect the cost of installation are:

  1. The distance between your electrical panel and the location where the charging station will be installed.
  2. The amount of voltage and amperage that is needed to charge your vehicle.

Location and Accessibility

The location of your charging station is one of the main factors that can increase the installation cost. The best place to install an EV charger, whether hardwired or plug-in, is near your main electrical panel. The farther the charging station is from your electrical panel, the higher the cost will be due to materials and labor.

How do you determine if you need indoor or outdoor installation? Here are some things to consider.

Indoor Installation

You should install your EV charger indoors if:

  • You have a garage with enough space to park your electric vehicle
  • You don’t have a garage, but the location of your parked EV is near your back/front door
  • You have a storage shed, and you can park your EV near it

As long as you can access the charging cable to your vehicle, you can install your EV charger indoors wherever you please (preferably close to your main panel). Indoor installation ensures you don’t need to worry about the weather’s outside elements harming your charger’s inside components.

Outdoor Installation

Outdoor installation may be needed if:

  • You don’t have enough space in your garage to fit your electric vehicle
  • You don’t have a garage, but you do have a carport where you can park your EV
  • You don’t have a garage or a carport, and you need to park your EV in the driveway

If you’re unable to install your EV charger indoors, you should plan for an increase in cost since you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep it safe. We recommend installing a 240-volt hardwired EV charger for better protection from the outdoor weather. If you are installing a plug-in charger, installing a “bubble cover” is crucial to protect your outlet.

Electrical Panel Capacity

You likely used fewer electrical appliances and equipment when your electrical panel was installed. Therefore, you may need to upgrade your panel to sustain the charging capabilities required for your EV.

The recommended electrical panel that you should install is a 200 amp main panel. This upgrade will provide the necessary capacity to run additional equipment well into the future and prevent you from damaging any appliances or equipment in your home. Preparing for this increase in cost will ensure you have a safe EV charger for many years.

If you are interested in installing an EV charger at home, our team at Spotlight Energy Solutions is ready to guide you through the process. Contact us today at (800) 346-6254 or visit our website.