You might think that you’re ready to start cruising once the purchase of your new electrical vehicle (EV) is finalized. But before you even choose your preferred model, consider if any electrical service changes are required in your home. After all, no one wants to make a large purchase to later find out it’s unusable in their home!
Your electrical panel might not have the capacity
Prior to purchasing your EV, you’ll want to check the size of your electric panel. Most new homes are built with 200-amp panels to sustain modern technology demands. However, older or heritage homes will likely have 100-amp panels if they weren’t already replaced. Though these panels sufficed decades ago, their capacity will unfortunately not meet the needs of your EV charger.
If your home has a 200-amp panel, you likely won’t need an upgrade prior to installing your EV charger. The only exception is if your panel is already operating at or near its capacity. This will occur if your home has a power demand more than most. One example of this is if you run a business out of your home.
An alternative option to upgrading your electrical system is a load management system. This system, also known as demand-side management (DSM), balances the supply of electricity on the network with the electrical load. This is done by controlling the load opposed to the power station output. When installed, this load management unit allows household members to control when their vehicle is being recharged. This allows for breaks to provide energy to other parts of the home.
You’ll want to hire a licensed electrician for the installation
Since EV charging systems are always evolving, it’s best to contact a licensed electrician who’s an expert in EV charging systems. These individuals will verify and test to ensure that your existing electrical distribution system will be able to accommodate your home’s increased energy requirements. Depending on your home’s specific circumstances, Technical Safety B.C. may issue a homeowner electrical installation permit for an EV charger in a fully detached dwelling.
Your home might not be eligible for Electrical Service Changes
Determining your home’s eligibility for an EV charger is a required step that must be confirmed with your municipality or Technical Safety B.C. (something that AJs Electrical is able to do on your behalf). Once this request is approved, you can proceed to the installation process. Hiring AJ’s Electrical is the best way to ensure that provincial guidelines are being followed, and that proper contacts like Technical Safety B.C. and BC Hydro have approved this project. From communicating with provincial contacts to performing the installation labour, AJ’s Electrical makes EV charger installations a seamless project for homeowners.
With over 60 years of combined experience, AJ’s Electrical always ensures that customers receive unparalleled technical work and customer service. Contact us today with any questions on how to set up your new EV charging station, or how to know if your home will qualify! We are always excited to share our expertise.
