If you drive an electric vehicle (EV), you know how important EV charging stations in Media, PA, is to your ability to drive your car. You’ll need to have regular access to electric car chargers to keep your vehicle powered up and ready to go whenever you need it. While you can plug your car into a standard three-prong outlet or use public charging stations, a far better option is to install a dedicated charger in your garage. This will be the most efficient, affordable, and convenient way to charge your vehicle. Here’s what you need to know about your charging options and why having your own is your best bet.
Electric vehicles require an electric charging station. Pretty simple. Just think of your garage as your own gas station – just without the gas station burritos and mega 100 oz. sodas.
Additionally, there’s no “one-size fits all” for home car charging stations. You have a choice on which electric car charger you would like installed. There are three levels on the market of EV chargers and it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
A Level 3 charger is the standalone device you see at public charging stations. These can add 160 miles of driving range to an EV’s batteries in about half an hour. However, these are not available to homeowners.
Installation of Your EV Charger Station
Whether you just purchased an electric vehicle, or are looking to have your own “gas station” in your garage, here’s what you can expect from Dream Team Home Services:
Full inspection of equipment prior to installation
Site inspection to ensure your equipment is installed in accordance with the manufacturer specifications
Electrical system upgrade, including the new, dedicated 240-volt circuit to support the Level 2 charger system
Ease of mind knowing you have your licensed electrician from Dream Team Home Services installing your EV charging station; abiding by local, state, and national codes & regulations
Complete EV charging system information
Types of EV Chargers
The Level 1 charger comes standard with most electric vehicles. This can be plugged into any normal 3-prong grounded outlet, dedicated 120-volt circuit. This circuit should be installed by a licensed contractor, such as Dream Team Home Services.
The charging current for a Level 1 is about the same as a standard blow dryer, so it won’t put a burden on your existing electrical service.
Level 1 chargers require no installation, BUT it does charge vehicle batteries very slowly. These Level 1 EV chargers are best suited for overnight usage. It can take 10-20 hours or more to fully charge your car’s battery with a Level 1 EV charger.
A Level 2 charger is a more advanced EV charging system. This charger requires its own dedicated 240-volt circuit, which will need to be professionally installed in your garage. Besides safety, the reason these should be installed by a professional, licensed electrician is that these must comply with local, state, and national codes and regulations.
This dedicated circuit is similar to your 240-volt electric dryer circuit.
A growing number of EV manufacturers are now including a Level 2 charger standard with each new electric car purchase. Why? Because they’re lightning-fast compared to a Level 1 charger. The typical full-charge time for a Level 2 is 4-8 hours.
"I had a very pleasant experience with Ralph, Shawn, and Nick. They were all very knowledgeable in their areas of work, were able to figure out the problem almost immediately, and were able to fix it within a few hours. Not only were they excellent technicians, but they were very pleasant to have in the home. Very respectful and approachable. Overall, I am a very satisfied customer."
Public charging stations have the highest power output, so they can charge your vehicle quickly and get you back on the road. However, you’ll have to pay to use them each time, and those costs can add up quickly, negating the savings you’ll receive by not requiring gasoline.
At the other end of the scale, you have traditional grounded outlets, meaning those with a third prong. You likely already have at least one of these outlets in your garage. If you don’t, an electrician can quickly and easily install one for you. These outlets represent the most affordable method for charging your EV, as they cost little to install and use the same power you use for the rest of your home. The main drawback to this method, though, is that they typically take overnight or longer to give your vehicle a full charge, depending on the battery capacity.
In terms of power output, dedicated home EV charging stations land in between the previous two options. They charge your car faster than a standard outlet, but not as quickly as a public charging station. You’ll need a professional electrician to complete the installation for you, and the equipment comes with an upfront expense. However, you’ll gain access to fast, convenient charging whenever you are at home.
The key benefits of home electric car chargers include:
Fast, efficient charging
Unmatched convenience
More affordable than public chargers
Easy access at home
Installing EV charging stations is a highly specialized task that you should always leave to the professionals. Electrical work always comes with the potential risk of electric shock, so it is much safer to trust a qualified electrician with this delicate job.
With over 20 years of experience in doing electrical work, Dream Team Home Services is equipped to handle your EV charger installation. Our electricians are highly trained to provide exemplary workmanship on each and every job. In addition, we offer a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee, and we won’t stop until the job is done right. We value our customers and pride ourselves on our dedicated customer service. From the moment you start working with us, you’ll be able to see how much our employees care about our clients.
When you call us for electric car charger installation, we’ll send a technician out to your home to inspect your garage and find a suitable location for your new charger. We’ll also inspect your home’s electrical system to ensure it is up to the task of delivering the power required for a charging station. Once we know what we are dealing with, we can make a plan for the installation, including any additional updates needed.
To get the process started, contact our team today. We’ll be happy to discuss electric car chargers in Media with you in greater detail.