How to Charge at Home: A Journey Through the Process
Hey there! Are you tired of unreliable charging for your electric vehicle? Slow charging at home? Well, you’re in luck because we’re embarking on a journey towards consistent and trustworthy EV charging.
We’ll be exploring the best charging options that are making it possible, from 50-amp outlets to dedicated charging solutions. So, buckle up and let’s hit the road as I share my story of getting reliable charging at home!
History of Charging
During the first couple of years, I relied heavily on Tesla Superchargers, but also had to run my charging cable out the apartment window. 😅
As a result of stopping at Superchargers, it taught me patience, as well as the need to slow down sometimes.
Especially in the cold winter months, it was not convenient to charge at a Supercharger and often had to be plug in at home. Moreover, the car took longer to charge because it was out in cold temperatures, and my landlord didn’t like it, so it added to my stress. Would not recommend! 😂
After moving to a place with a garage, I began plugging my electric vehicle into a 110V outlet regularly. However, I soon found myself needing to use my Mobile Connector at work as well, which became a hassle.
This frustration was compounded when I found myself stuck waiting for my car to charge before embarking on a trip. It was then that I realized I needed to make changes to my charging setup.
Preparation
The first thing I did was to jot down my questions and thoughts about the options before I called the electrician.
- For EV Charger, can they be wired to a NEMA 14-50 wall outlet? Would I still qualify for the utility rebate? How much would that cost?
- Would it cost extra to run 110V as well?
1. Due to my rental situation, it didn’t make sense to have the Tesla Wall Connector hardwired into the electrical system. This way, when I move out, I can take the connector with me and leave behind a clean NEMA 14-50 wall outlet for the next tenant to use for any purpose they wish.
Thankfully, my landlord was totally understanding and actually preferred this option so they wouldn’t be left with a mess of wiring when I moved out.
2. My friend suggested installing additional wiring for V110 outlets because the existing outlets are connected to the microwave and tend to trip frequently.
During our conversation with the electrician, I learned that other automakers’ EV chargers (like Ford) are typically hooked up to a 50-amp outlet instead of being hardwired like Tesla. As a result, I didn’t have to worry about having any credit issues with the utility.
The electrician would have installed the outlet for less money, but then I would have to use the Mobile Connector, which I keep in my car in case of an emergency.
TIP: To reduce wear and tear on the outlet, you can leave the NEMA 14-50 end of the cable connected and disconnect the rest of your Mobile Connector.
Moreover, I would not have qualified for my local utility’s Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate, which essentially paid for about 40% of the installation. Additionally, my landlord offered to contribute to the installation, which was greatly appreciated.
It depends on the situation, but I was quoted $600-650 for the installation of the EV charger with a removable NEMA 14-50 plug (instead of hardwired install) and NEMA 14-50 outlet. Between the landlord chipping in and the rebate, I paid about $200 for the install and the charger is mine to keep onwards, so totally doable in my opinion!
So, with this information at hand, I ordered a Tesla Wall Connector from Best Buy.
Tesla - Wall Connector - 24ft Electric Vehicle Charger with 48A Hardwired - White
The Tesla Wall Connector is our most convenient charging solution for Tesla vehicles and is ideal for houses, apartments, hospitality properties and workplaces.
It arrived quickly, two-day shipping without paying for anything extra through Best Buy.
In less than two hours, the installation was complete.
The location of the Wall Connector is great. The charging port is easy to reach when I pull it into the garage, and I could reach it outside the garage with the included 24 feet of cord.
Final Thoughts
The convenience of having a dedicated charging circuit, keeping the Mobile Connector in the car, and being able to bring the whole charging box with me to my next residence is a win-win-win situation.
I used to charge my electric vehicle at work, adding about 10% battery life per shift. However, I now charge my car for 30-45 minutes at a time and can achieve the same 10% increase. It’s an impressive improvement that anyone considering switching to electric vehicles should consider.
If you’re on the fence about switching to an electric vehicle, charging times might be one of your biggest concerns. However, as technology continues to advance, so does the speed and efficiency of EV charging. In fact, the ability to charge your vehicle quickly and easily is becoming one of the major advantages of driving an electric car.
With my own experience of switching to a more efficient charging setup, I’ve found that it’s not only more convenient but it also helps to alleviate some of the “range anxiety” that many new electric vehicle owners may experience. Knowing that I can get a decent boost to my battery in just half an hour or less means that I can plan my trips more easily and with more confidence.
Of course, there are still situations where longer charging times are necessary, such as on road trips or when using a public charging station. But even in those cases, the technology is rapidly advancing, with new ultra-fast charging stations being installed across the country. As more and more people make the switch to electric vehicles, the infrastructure to support them will continue to improve, making it easier and more convenient than ever to drive electric.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this article. I hope you found it helpful. Using my link when purchasing the Wall Connector from Best Buy would be greatly appreciated. You don’t have to pay extra on your purchase, and it helps me create more content like you just read.
I wanted to write this article to help people understand the process of getting a reliable charging solution installed at their rental dwelling. I hope to demonstrate that it can be affordable with the current rebates and other available resources, so it’s worth looking into your electric providers website. Take care!
