June 13, 2024
How to Hire the Best EV Charging Companies: Why Your EV Charger Installer Matters
8 Min. Read
Electric vehicles (EVs) are more than just a trend: they’re easy to maintain, inexpensive to charge, and run on sustainable energy. For most new EV owners, the next logical step is to have a Level 2 charger installed so they can charge from the comfort of their own homes.
Residential EV charger installation is on the rise, with more charger models to choose from, enhanced performance, and smart features that give you more visibility into your energy consumption.
If you’re considering at-home charging for your EV, it’s essential to work with a qualified EV charger installer. While there might be cheaper options, the best EV charging companies offer long-term benefits that outweigh any immediate savings.
Top EV Charging Companies Have Expertise in EV Charger Technologies
With 80% of EV owners charging at home, residential Level 2 EV chargers are quickly emerging as an affordable and convenient option. Many EV charging companies offer installation services, but not all installers can deliver quality service. When choosing your installer, it is important to hire an electrician who is certified in EV charger installations and other electrification services, has comprehensive knowledge on the latest electrification trends and installation techniques, as well as a strong understanding of what charger best meets your everyday needs.
Technology Expertise
Installing a residential Level 2 EV charger is unlike any appliance you have in your home, as these chargers require a dedicated 240V circuit with specific wire gauge requirements and additional safety features, thus furthering the need for a certified electrician with experience installing these technologies.
It is critical that your installer is familiar with the different chargers available on the market and the varying manufacturers’ specifications and recommendations, ensuring they are an expert when it comes to following best installation practices for the safety and efficiency of your EV charger for years to come.
High-Quality Materials
From selecting the right type of wiring to installing outlets compliant with the National Electric Code, your expert electrician should emphasize the importance of using quality materials for your plug-in or hard-wired EV chargers, ensuring your investment in home charging is designed to last and perform for your electric vehicles.
Your certified installer should have a deep understanding and communicate to you that even in residential installations you will still need to use commercial-grade materials to ensure the safety and longevity of your wires and charging materials.
Latest Trends
From 2022 to 2023, EV registration had a 60% year-on-year increase, and with the rapidly evolving industry, EV installers must keep up with the changing technology to support the evolving charging standards as technology continues to improve.
As the industry evolves and new charging products are on the market, recommendations from EV charger manufacturers are updated, as well as changes to the national or local codes are modified to better fit the new technology, you will want to be sure that your installer is up-to-date, EVITP certified, as well as continually upskilling their installation knowledge and practices.
Compatibility and Performance
When figuring out what charger is the best fit for your EV and your lifestyle, it’s important to also take into consideration EV battery capacity and EV charger capabilities. Keep in mind that your electric vehicle will not be able to charge beyond the vehicle’s kWh and amperage capacity, so having a higher-powered charger that exceeds this will not be beneficial.
An experienced installer will be able to recommend the right charger for your vehicle by considering how much amperage your EV’s battery can support, whether your vehicle uses the J1772 charging protocol or the newer NACS ports, your existing electrical infrastructure, and daily driving needs.
You can also discuss future-proofing with your installer by exploring technologies like bidirectional charging or selecting a charger with an adjustable amperage to anticipate your next EV purchase.
Compliance With Local Codes and Regulations
Aside from meeting installation requirements outlined in the National Electric Code (NEC) and any EV manufacturer recommendations, specialized electricians working with these technologies should also install chargers in accordance with any local codes and regulations to ensure that the installation is safe, passes inspections, functions at top performance, and is insured for electrical fires with the necessary permits.
Safety
As the National Electric Code is only updated every 3 years and the technology behind EVs and EV charging is evolving at a much more rapid pace, many municipalities have also developed local ordinances designed to further improve safety for at-home EV charging, with rules governing emergency disconnects, location requirements, or load management best practices that are updated to match the improving technology.
While many of these laws and requirements are designed to meet the safety needs for a continual use between 4-10 hours of EV charging each night, they still may not be sufficient based on the latest requirements. As such, it is critical that your EV charger installer is aware of not only these national, state, local, and utility requirements, but also any manufacturer requirements and other best practices.
Failing to follow these rules and industry best practices can result in failing components, melted materials, a lower efficiency on your EV charger, and can even jeopardize the safety of your electrification project resulting in losses that may not be covered by insurance if your EV charger installer is unqualified or not properly certified to perform these installations.
Passing an Inspection
Upgrading your home with an EV charger often means you’ll have to pass an inspection from your local building department. In this event, before you can pass the inspection and use your EV charger, your project will have to comply with any NEC and local code requirements to avoid incurring additional expenses or charging downtime as any issues are resolved.
By hiring a reputable installer, you can ensure your project will comply with any local or national codes and satisfy necessary requirements so you can safely enjoy the convenience of at-home charging for your new EV.
Performance Issues
In addition to ensuring safety, local code will also make sure that your equipment’s performance is enhanced, so it can function to the best of its abilities.
At-home charging is ideal for making the charging experience for EV drivers convenient and cost-effective, but a poor wiring job can result in underperforming equipment and require repairs or upgrades, increasing the upfront cost of charging at home and leaving you without reliable charging.
Insurance and Liability
Once your EV charger is installed, you will need to notify your homeowner’s insurance and they will ensure your installation meets all the NEC and local requirements. It is important that you hire a certified and expert electrician who can confirm these installation requirements are met as a non-compliant installation could void your insurance policy due to an increased risk of electrical fires.
In addition to making sure your project meets national and local requirements, an experienced installer is also able to plan your electrification project to success and file the necessary permits on your behalf, making them liable for ensuring everything is done correctly.
Efficient Installation and Setup
From accessibility issues to outdated wiring, each residential charging installation presents unique challenges. The best way to navigate these obstacles is to work with an experienced professional.
The Benefits of Expert Installation
An experienced installer can recommend a charging equipment option from a trusted manufacturer that meets all your expectations and allows for the fastest charging possible. Following best installation practices results in optimal performance and can significantly reduce future costs associated with potential repairs or maintenance.
Investing in expert installation is worth it. You’ll have the peace of mind that your EV charger is safely installed and will work as expected.
Potential Challenges
Each residential EV charging project is unique.
An experienced installer will assess the existing wiring, determine whether your electrical panel needs an upgrade or replacement to support EV charging and any future electrification projects, or plan for any installation complexities such as trenching, distance, or other challenges based on your home and charging needs. They can also design charging solutions to make your charger more accessible if needed.
Comprehensive Post-Installation Support
Reputable EV charging companies typically offer additional value in the form of maintenance agreements. These plans usually include a periodic check of your charging equipment and all components, seasonal maintenance, and routine care.
Protecting your investment with post-installation support is similar to keeping up with a maintenance schedule for an ICE vehicle. Being proactive prevents downtime and can save you money by preventing avoidable issues that become worse with negligence.
A contractor with a loyal customer base who continues to work with clients after the initial installation is completed is a good sign of a professional and reputable electrician. Ideally, they should offer ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting services, customer support, and a protection plan for their workmanship.
Post-installation support will help you get the most out of your home charging setup and ensure a positive charging experience throughout the lifespan of your at-home EV charger.
Qmerit is the Leading EV Charging Installation Company in North America
No EV owner wants to be completely dependent on charging on the road—or worse, on a Level 1 charger. Now that it’s time to upgrade your charging equipment, choosing the right installer is crucial. A qualified contractor will ensure compliance with all relevant codes and deliver optimal charging performance and a positive experience.
Qmerit can help you find a local EV installer with expertise and experience. When it comes to EV charger installations, no one is more trusted or recommended than Qmerit.
As North America’s largest network of certified EV charger installers, every Qmerit electrician is fully licensed, background-checked, insured, and properly trained in EV charging station installation so you can rest easy in knowing your installation is done right and backed by the Qmerit Peace of Mind Guarantee.
Recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, and with over 450,000 EV charging stations installed across the U.S. and Canada, no one is more experienced in energy transition technologies than Qmerit.
Contact Qmerit today and complete our online EV assessment for your customized EV charger installation estimate and to learn more about how Qmerit can help make your next home electrification project easy.
