March 24, 2022

What to Do When You Need to Charge More Than One Car at Home

4 Min. Read

With many U.S. cities at or quickly approaching two vehicles per household, the need for a comprehensive home EV charging solution has grown significantly. As drivers purchase and find value with their first electric vehicle (EV), it is reasonable to expect they will see the advantage of adding additional EVs.

Home charging is a great way for multiple car households to manage costs and gain additional convenience. Also, it boosts your EV’s availability and efficiency. For EV owners, determining which at-home charging solution can be daunting. In this article, we’ll outline available options and provide recommendations.

The smart solution to charge the car at home

One option EV owners should consider is a Level 2 Charging Station. Level 2 chargers provide an effective way to charge your EV intelligently. A licensed professional can install these solutions in your home to work seamlessly with the rest of your home’s electrical needs. The result will let you charge the car at home, simplify your reliance on public charging and add value to your home at the same time.

EV owners with home charging solutions can schedule charging to take advantage of utilities’ discounts offered for off-peak times through a smart system. It is a great way to manage costs and protect the environment. Home EV charging systems are an EV owner’s best choice.

There are two types of dual charging station options:

• Dual socket charging stations (two sockets, one charger)
• Dual charging stations (two chargers)

Dual socket level 2 charging systems

As the name implies, dual socket level 2 charging systems give the owner the ability to simultaneously charge two EVs at the same time from one charging system. Beyond two car charging, these systems provide additional advantages to the EV owner, including:

• Ongoing maintenance is less than having to have two separate level 2 charging systems
• Installation is quicker and can be less expensive.
• Ability to split the charging based on the individual EV’s needs.

Dual socket EV charging systems allow the homeowner to control time and give the ability to prioritize vehicles requiring a charge. Instead of miles per gallon, EV charging is measured as miles of range per hour. A charging station for each EV removes the need to juggle demands.

Using two Level 2 charging systems

Two individual charging stations can be the best option for some EV owners because they eliminate the need to ration charge between two different EVs. This is in contrast to a dual socket charger, which needs to split the electricity between each vehicle.  better serve the needs of EV owners who have high-mileage, daily driving needs, have non-standard home layouts, or don’t want to deal with the potential charging limitations of a dual socket level 2 charger. Here are additional benefits:

• Each station can charge an EV on a planned timetable, simplifying decisions and schedules.
• Stations do not need to be located in the same space; a good installation partner can determine the best location for each EV station.

Dual station considerations

Whether you are installing two chargers or a dual socket charger, you should use a certified installer. Installation of a charging system by a certified installer gives EV owners peace of mind knowing that their installation is going to be safe and effective. Licensed electricians can help you calculate your needs and match them with your current electrical availability.

Installing two stations on separate circuits each dedicated to a station can simplify the EV owners’ lives. Separate chargers will be able to match the requirements of each EV. A certified installer can help determine if this solution fits your situation without impacting the rest of the home.

For example, a dual station installation could involve putting one station in the EV parking space and another in the driveway. Using certified installer can help devise a plan that will provide the benefits of a dual station installation while maximizing available space.

Word of warning for those trying to do-it-yourself

Installing Level 2 charging station should not be treated as a do-it-yourself project. To ensure a safe and successful installation, you will want licensed and certified installers involved in your project. Installers can assess the electrical needs and frequently help with the certificates and permits required to complete the installation. As important, most cities and counties will require any electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician. Performing work in violation of these statutes can result in the local authorities rendering your home uninhabitable, in addition to being penalized with code violation fines.

Charge the car at home and add value to your home

Professionally installed charging stations can also add value to your home. The presence of charging stations boosts the long-term usefulness of the house. In addition, when you’re ready to sell your home, a professionally-implemented installation will help your potential buyers feel safe and confident in their purchase.

Homebuyers and mortgage lenders frequently use a home inspector to evaluate a proposed purchase. Therefore, the quality of your charging stations’ installation and design could affect your home’s value. So, let Qmerit offer you significant benefits down the road by installing a well-designed and professionally installed home charging system.

For homeowners and EV drivers, Qmerit makes electrification easy with white-glove installation and integration services that deliver the highest levels of quality and safety at competitive pricing. To learn more, contact Qmerit today.