With fuel prices at all-time highs, more Americans are considering electric vehicles than ever before. Of course, there are many factors to consider prior to making this transition. From the distance range needed for your average daily commute to the type of charger you install in your home, there are various factors to consider. Below we will focus on the various types of electric vehicle chargers for the home.
Level 1 vs Level 2 charging
The two most common types of residential electric vehicle charging stations are either level 1 or level 2. Although there is a level 3 charger in existence, these are typically not seen in private residences. Level 1 charging typically comes with your electric vehicle and provides the slowest charging time. On average, a level 1 charger will recover about 4 to 5 miles per hour. Needless to say, a quick calculation tells you that this may not be a practical solution for many typical driving needs.
On the other hand, level 2 chargers can recover 25 to 30 miles per hour. Therefore, most electric vehicles will be able to be fully charged when plugged in overnight to a level 2 charger. Of course, a level 2 charging station will need to be purchased separately and costs more than a level 1 charging station.
Electric car charger costs
The costs associated with the installation of an electric car charger in the home may vary depending on the age of your home, your electrical panel capacity, the type of installation, and where your electrical panel is located. According to HomeAdvisor, the cost of a level 1 charging station is $300 – $600, with parts and labor costing between $1,000 to $1,700.
The cost of a level 2 charging station is $500 – $700, with parts and labor costing between $1,200 to $2,000. Of course, these costs may be higher depending on whether your home requires major electrical upgrades and based on the location where the charger must be installed. Whatever charger you end up installing, be sure that it is “UL-Listed”. This means it has been tested for safety by the Underwriters Laboratories for U.S. usage.
How much charging do you need?
The type of charger that you install will be largely dictated by your vehicle’s charging capacity. As for chargers, the more power you have the faster the vehicle will charge. For most electric vehicles, the charging capacity is usually between 3.3 and 10 kilowatt per hour, or approximately 11 to 30 recovered miles per hour. With this said, it may be a good idea to invest in a more powerful charger than you may need at the moment. After all, it is quite likely that you will be buying an electric vehicle with more range in the future. Furthermore, this will also be a nice selling feature should you decide to list your home for sale.
Types of chargers
There are two main types of electric vehicle chargers: plug-in or hardwired chargers. As with anything, there are pros and cons for each type. A plug-in charger is a nice option because it can travel with you on the road for use at another location or even move with you should you sell your home. In addition, should it begin to malfunction or break, you can always simply replace or upgrade it. However, if you do not already have an outlet for this charger, it may prove to be more costly to install one vs hard-wiring a charger directly into your electric panel.
A hardwired charger will be permanently installed and mounted in the home. Needless to say, you can not take it with you should you move out of the home. Assuming that your electrical panel is located in the garage, it will likely be less expensive to opt for a hardwired charging station.
Whether you are installing an outlet or a hardwired charger, much thought needs to be put into the location. The maximum length allowed by the National Electrical Code for an electric vehicle charging cord is 25 feet, though the cord comes in shorter lengths as well. To be safe, opting for a 25 foot cord will likely allow you to reach your vehicle in various parking positions. It is important to remember that you always want at least 4 feet of slack in the cord when charging a vehicle. Except for Tesla’s, all electric vehicles use the same connector on the car called J1772. However, the location of the connector may vary for each vehicle brand.
Summary
With more and more electric vehicles on the roads these days, it is easy to see why having an electric vehicle charging station in the home can be a nice selling feature. Just like we have seen a rise in the importance of a home office for the virtual workforce, electric vehicle charging stations are also becoming incredibly important in this market. As with all real estate, location will be a critical factor with regard to buyers’ expectations for electric vehicle charging capabilities. Your local real estate expert should be knowledgeable regarding local buyer expectations.
At Live South Florida Realty, Inc. we have assisted many clients with their real estate needs. Are you looking to buy or sell a property in South Florida? Now more than ever, it is critical to have a qualified real estate team and the proper search tools behind you. Live South Florida Realty, Inc., has been a leader in the South Florida market for many years. Let our team of professionals assist you with buying or selling your piece of paradise today! In addition, our recently launched “Florida Home Search” app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With real-time MLS feeds, this app lets you set your own alerts to notify you as soon as a property meeting your needs hits the market. Furthermore, it will also let you know of recent closed sales in your area so that you may be even more educated on the market. Be sure to download this app for your smartphone or tablet today!
