If you’re looking for a way to make owning an electric vehicle more convenient and affordable, you can’t go wrong with installing an at-home EV charger. You won’t have to worry about traveling across town to find an available charger or paying higher fees for public charging. Instead, you can just plug in the car to charge overnight while you’re sleeping, and the charging costs will be directly added to your electric bill each month. Having this modern appliance added to your home and serviced by a licensed electrician is essential for safety purposes and making sure you don’t violate any electrical codes. This guide walks you through three must-know tips for choosing the right service professional.
Check for Licensure and Insurance
As you’re doing a search for a service professional, you’ll want to ask each one about their licensure and insurance coverage. Licensure is important because it verifies that the expert understands which electrical codes the EV charger must meet. The last thing you want is to get a new charger installed only to discover your home no longer complies with local code requirements. This can lead to coverage issues with your homeowner’s insurance and also create serious safety hazards. The electrician’s insurance coverage provides peace of mind in knowing you will be financially protected if something were to go wrong with the installation (for example, accidental property damage or an on-the-job injury).
Previous Experience With Panel Upgrades and EV Chargers
In addition to licensure and insurance coverage, you’ll want to ask the electrician about their experience with EV chargers. You don’t want a company that isn’t familiar with installing this type of appliance because there’s a lot that goes into making sure the electrical panel can sufficiently support the charger’s power requirements. If the company has little experience with installing EV chargers, consider looking elsewhere. You’ll also want to make sure the company has experience installing the specific type of charger you need. Installing a Level 2 charger is quite different from installing a standard Level 1 charger because it often requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit.
Transparent Pricing With Written Estimates
If the electrician can’t give you a clear estimate before starting any work, you need to continue your search. Ideally, professional electricians will provide a written estimate that shows you the total cost of all labor, materials, and permits, including panel upgrade fees. If you have any questions about the cost of the project, electricians should be able to answer them in plain terms that don’t leave you feeling confused or overwhelmed.
Taking time to choose a qualified professional to install and work on your EV charger can help keep your electrical system safe. Common mistakes like overloading an electrical panel significantly increase the risk of house fires. A skilled electrician with years of EV charger experience will ensure the job is done right from start to finish. When you need EV charger services in Bozeman, MT, contact Sacry Electric.