5 Questions When You Hire A Professional To Install Your EV Charger

Having an electric vehicle charger in your home is one of the perks of being an electric car owner. A home charger allows you to charge your vehicle at any time when it’s convenient for you. You can charge overnight when electricity rates are lower or during the day at no additional cost. A home EV charger like a level 1 charger makes it easier for you to sell your car by increasing its resale value.

However, getting that charger installed is not as simple as picking out which kind of charger you want and having someone install it. Before hiring a professional to install your EV charger, there are plenty of considerations. Here are five questions you should ask when hiring someone to install your EV charger:

1. Do I need an electrician?

Some EV charger manufacturers offer installation guide for your home EV charger, and it’s easy to assume that they will be able to install it for you. However, not all electricians are qualified to install EV chargers. Many electricians specialize only in home electrical wiring and know little about installing EV chargers. The best way to find an electrician to install your home EV charger is to ask for manufacturers’ recommendations. They have a list of electricians in your area who are trained and certified to install EV chargers.

2. Do I need to upgrade my BC Hydro electrical service?

Most modern electrical breakers can handle the load from a home EV charger without problems. However, older homes that have been updated over the years may have an undersized breaker panel that will require a circuit upgrade before the charging equipment can be installed. An underpowered electrical panel can cause issues like circuit tripping, blown breakers, and fire.

3. Will my electrical panel accommodate a new circuit for the EV charger?

Having an electrician install your home EV charger is more than just bolting the equipment to your house. They will also need to run wires to deliver electricity from the breaker box to the charger. If you have an older home, you may have to install a new power line to handle the charging motor. This can be an expensive project, but it’s better than buying a charger that never works because you didn’t think about how it would get electricity.

4. How will you get electricity to my EV charger?

Depending on your area, you may have to obtain a permit before having an electrician install your home charger. Your local home building department issues most permits and will issue the permit if they are satisfied with the wiring diagram showing where the charger’s circuit breaker will be wired.

5. Will this work require an electrical permit?

Conclusion

Having an EV charger at home is a great way to make it easy to charge your vehicle. However, installing a home EV charger requires more consideration and planning than most people realize. If you’re considering purchasing a home EV charger, you should know how it will be installed. If you have any questions about installing your home charger, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable electrician. Taking the time to educate yourself about what needs to be done can avoid headaches down the road.