August 1, 2024

Can I DIY My At-Home EV Charger Installation? Why Hiring a Professional is Key

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9 Min. Read

The combination of affordable residential electricity rates and the convenience of 24/7 accessibility makes at-home charging ideal for most electric vehicle (EV) owners.

But for many first-time EV drivers or experienced drivers looking to install at-home charging for the first time, there are a lot of questions about who can perform this type of electrical work, which materials should be used, and how to save even more on the upfront investment of installing a Level 2 EV charger at home.

Residential EV charging requires the installation of a hardwired charger or dedicated outlet that can power a plug-in EV charger at up to 80 amps.

But while it may be tempting to perform these electric upgrades yourself or hire the cheapest contractor you can find, an improperly installed or DIY EV charger installation can lead to unsafe charging, poor performance, and additional costs in the long run—and can even result in property damages, voided insurances and warranties, and injuries.

In this article, we’ll explore why hiring a trained, professional EV charger installer who uses the correct materials and techniques is critical for the long-term success of your EV charger and ensures you have reliable and safe at-home EV charging for years to come.

The Complexities of At-Home EV Charger Installation

Simply put, EV charging is a serious electrification project that requires extensive planning and therefore requires more than a just basic electric upgrade. A Level 2 EV charging station is unlike any other appliance in your home, with its high-powered voltage and consistent use cycle of 4-10 hours a night to fully charge your EV.

Amps, Panel Capacity, and Load Calculations

A Level 2 residential EV charging station can draw up to 80 amps for the highest-performing models, with most EV charging stations requiring somewhere between 40 and 60 amps. To put this in perspective, a major appliance such as a portable AC unit or tumble dryer wouldn’t draw more than 10 amps.

Adding a 40- to 60-amp load to your home’s electrical infrastructure will significantly change your electricity usage patterns and may require a panel or wiring upgrade to support your new increased power demand.

You also have to consider the “80% rule.” For safety reasons, the National Electrical Code (NEC) states that continuous loads shouldn’t exceed 80% of the breaker and wiring’s rating, so if your EV charging station uses 80 amps of power, your electrical panel will need to have 100 amps available both physically and in electrical capacity.

In older homes with a smaller electrical panel, this can often mean that supporting your EV charger will also require a panel upgrade depending on the size of your existing electrical panel and the current load placed on your panel from other appliances such as heating and cooling, lighting, and any other electric appliances you have in your home.

Before any other work can begin, your EV charger installation involves complex load calculations to evaluate your existing electrical load and determine if your current electrical panel is sufficient to support your EV charging station.

Material Quality, Techniques, and the Costs of an Improper EV Charger Installation

Beyond ensuring your home and electrical panel are able to support the power needed for your EV charger, choosing quality materials for performance and durability is equally crucial.

With the high-powered currents that will run through your EV charger often overnight while you sleep, using the correct materials is of the utmost importance. An EV charger is unlike any other appliance in your home, and it’s easy for a DIYer or inexperienced contractor who is not specifically trained in EV charger installation to make a costly and dangerous mistake when installing a residential charger.

For instance, this Level 2 charger installation video documents the disastrous consequences of an installer using aluminum wires instead of copper and failing to account for the effect of a continuous load on a circuit breaker. While the issue was safely resolved by experienced contractors who replaced the inadequate wiring and breaker, it could have easily become a dangerous situation with damages to the home, loss of property, or caused an electrical fire that resulted in injuries.

Using the right techniques can vary depending on your home needs, and hiring a professional EV charger installer can help you overcome any unique challenges you face in your installation.

Unlike many services, EV charger installation is highly personalized and customized to your home, your charging needs, and your existing electrical infrastructure, so your electrical contractor should provide a detailed quote outlining your EV charging station costs for installation, as well as being able to answer any questions regarding the steps they will take to ensure your EV charging station is safely and properly installed.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

As mentioned above, using inadequate wiring for EV charging can cause the wires to melt, precisely what the 80% rule from the NEC aims to prevent. But beyond overloading the wires, the materials used also play a vital role. Using cheaper materials often means they are not properly graded for the type of power an EV charger will use regularly, which can lead to material degradation and melting over time.

This is the same reason that using a pre-existing outlet for a plug-in EV charging station is not recommended unless it is first inspected by a professional EV charger installer to ensure the materials are commercially designed for this type of consistent, high-powered use.

Overheating from a stressed electrical load is extremely dangerous and is the common cause behind the 51,000 electrical home fires that happen every year. Fortunately, this is easy to prevent by investing in a safe electrical infrastructure that uses commercial-grade materials designed for this type of high-powered appliance.

When it comes to EV charging, a few general guidelines will help keep you, your family, and your electric vehicle safe.

There are specific wiring and breaker requirements for hardwired installations, as well as installing a NEMA 14-50 outlet with GFCI protection and a disconnect if the charger’s rating exceeds 60 amps for plug-in EV chargers. While these basic practices can seem confusing or unnecessary for someone who is not a professional EV charger installer, it is a standard rule for an expert and is designed to ensure the safety of an EV charging station installation.

An experienced installer will know the NEC guidelines and applicable local codes and, as a result, will plan a safe and compliant installation that meets federal and local requirements. Unpermitted work or work that is not up-to-code can also lead to costly repairs in the future to bring it up to code and ensure it meets all safety standards. Additionally, unpermitted work can create complications in the future if you are looking to sell your property while a professionally installed EV charger can increase your property value.

In addition to affecting charging performance and creating a major safety risk, a DIY EV charger installation can incur additional costs. You’ll likely have to pass an inspection from your local building department before you can use the charger, and if the installation fails to meet NEC and local codes, you’ll have to hire a contractor to address the issues and make your charger compliant. This expense can be avoided entirely by using a professional from the start of the project and ensuring they apply for the permit on your behalf.

Avoiding Common DIY Pitfalls

While installing an EV charging station does utilize traditional electrical knowledge, it is a specialized skill that requires additional training and expertise to ensure safety and efficiency.

From using the wrong type of wire to failing to pull the necessary permits, there is a wide range of risks associated with DIY installations, hiring an amateur, or even hiring a skilled electrician who is inexperienced and untrained in EV charger installations.

Other common mistakes include overloading circuits, choosing a non-compliant location for the charger, choosing low-quality materials to save money upfront, not torquing connections according to manufacturer specifications, and attempting to cut corners to save on costs.

In a best-case scenario, a low-quality installation will void the warranty on your EV charging station and potentially your vehicle’s battery. Non-compliant electrical upgrades may also void your homeowner’s insurance policy, leaving you unprotected in the event of any property damages or injuries.

You will likely also face additional costs as you pay for repairs and upgrades to pass the inspection from your local building department. This not only will cost you more money but will also cost you added downtime for your charger, making it inconvenient to charge your EV as you await repairs or additional steps.

If you decide to charge your EV with a non-compliant charger, you risk causing significant damage to not only your charger but also to your vehicle and your home’s electrical infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.

These issues are easy to prevent. Hiring an installer with experience with EV charger installations and an EVITP certification will result in a safe EV charger installation.

Maximizing Long-Term Efficiency and Performance

While a DIY project or cheaper contractor can seem like an appealing alternative to save on the initial expense, investing in a professional charger installer can optimize your purchase of an EV and actually save you money in the long term.

Remember that when it comes to installing an EV charging station at home, this is an investment in your future that will help you save thousands of dollars over the lifespan of the vehicle and most drivers can easily recoup the cost of their charger installation within 1-2 years from fuel savings they would have otherwise spent on gasoline.

It is a smart decision to hire a qualified installer the first time and enjoy greater peace of mind and safety in knowing your charger was installed the right way. Quality workmanship will also result in fewer costs associated with repairs and EV charger maintenance and when the right materials are used, your upgraded electrical infrastructure will also be more durable.

Optimal charger performance is another important consideration. Charging your EV at home can help you save at least $0.04 per kWh compared to public charging, but having a reliable home charger is crucial for a convenient experience.

Plus, an experienced EV installer can address future electrification projects and your changing energy needs. It’s usually cheaper to anticipate these needs and upgrade your electrical infrastructure all at once to accommodate a potential second EV charger, a bidirectional charger, an electric HVAC solution, or other energy transition technologies in the near future.

An expert can also help you with solutions that will give you more visibility into your home energy usage and help reduce costs, by using smart load management products or upgrading your home with a smart panel.

Find an Experienced EV Installer With Qmerit

While a DIY or cheap EV charger installation can seem like a good way to save money, there are significant risks associated with low-quality workmanship or using the wrong materials.

The best way to upgrade your home with a residential EV charger is to connect with an experienced and certified installer. If you need help finding a reliable professional in your area, Qmerit is here.

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As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is the most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.

But don’t just take our word for it. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Qmerit’s experienced network of certified electricians has installed more than 450,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada!

Complete our online EV assessment today to find out why we’re North America’s most trusted EV charger installation service provider!