Wiring your home Garage for Electric Car Charging- Our DIY guide
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, especially due to rising gas prices. Charging your car at home is a way to go for your comfort. This blog explains how to easily remake your garage into a car-charging station of a new generation.
First thing first- start with decluttering your garage and making space for your card and charging system.
Standard Outlet Or A Charging Station- What To Choose?
When prepping a garage for an electric car, the key question is whether to install a charging station or simply charge a car using a standard outlet. Our opinion on the matter is clear - investing in a charging station is the best way to go. Charging stations allow you to charge your car fast, which is simply more convenient. With time, you might invest in more than one electric car for your household, and fast charging will allow you to charge all of your vehicles in one evening.
Speed of Standard Outlet vs. Charger
If you have reasons not to buy a charger at the moment, charging with the help of a standard outlet is still possible. You can charge your car from a standard outlet using a Level 1 home connector kit included when you buy an electric vehicle.
A level 1 connector lit and a standard outlet give you an average charging speed of 3-5 miles an hour. An average mile range of a fully charged car right now is 190-195 miles. This means that charging a vehicle with a standard outlet could take two full days. Charging a car to an acceptable driveable range will take at least 24 hours. For many car owners, such a charging time is not optimal.
Level II charging with a charging station is several times faster, taking anywhere between 10 to 28 miles every hour. The final speed depends on the car's type and model and the charging station's type. If the vehicle is only electric and not a hybrid, the charging most likely falls into a range of 20-25 miles per hour. This means that the average car can be charged to its full potential in only 7-8 hours. You can partly charge the car to drive it throughout the day in a couple of hours or even less.
Choosing A Charging Station
If you decide that a charging station is right for you, there are points to consider.
There are plenty of variations of charging stations, or the so-called Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) on the market. You don't have to go with the one in the most expensive percentile for it to serve you well. For an efficient charging experience, go with a 240-volt/20-40-amp charging outlet. 110-volt 12 amp charging stations are also available but do not have the same charging speed efficiency. Panels may have different features, such as Wifi connection.
With all elements included, you can expect a residential electric vehicle supply equipment to cost anywhere between $1000 to $3000. The price depends on the house, the electrical panel's qualities, and the installation's difficulty. Once you've chosen your charging station, choose the exact spot where it will be placed.
Make Sure That Your Electrical Circuits Will Not Be Not Overloaded
Preparing a garage for charging means studying your electric panel and ensuring that your new charging station does not overload the circuits. A professional electrician should prepare a calculation of load. If an overload is expected, a circuit should be added.
Last but not least, make sure that the adequate temperature is maintained in a garage as electric car batteries are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. In many cases, this means that the garage should be insulated.
