What are the Benefits of Having a Home EV Charger

Electric vehicles are the future of driving, and you’re ahead of the curve with your slick new EV. But keeping that battery charged can be a hassle without easy access to charging stations. That’s where a home EV charger comes in clutch.

Having your own dedicated charging setup at home eliminates the biggest inconvenience of EV ownership – constantly hunting for public charging spots. With a Level 2 home charger, you can simply plug in when you get home and wake up to a fully charged battery every morning. Easy peasy.

From saving money to reducing your carbon footprint, there are tons of great reasons to install an EV charger at your house. We’ll cover all the key benefits in this post so you can decide if getting your own charging station is the right move. Let’s get charging!

Convenience

Let’s be real – having to constantly hunt for public charging stations and wait in lines is a total pain in the battery pack. Relying solely on public chargers puts a major damper on one of the biggest benefits of EV ownership: convenience. With a home charging setup, you can wave goodbye to those charging station struggles.

No More Hunting for Charging Spots

How many times have you circled a parking lot looking for an open charging station or public charger, only to get stuck waiting behind several other EVs? When you have a home charger, that frustrating game of charging station musical chairs is a thing of the past. Just pull into your driveway or garage and plug in whenever you need juice.

Charge on Your Schedule

With public chargers, you’re at the mercy of their availability and operating hours. But having a home station means you can charge literally anytime you want – overnight, during off-peak hours to save money, whenever works for your schedule. No more stressing about getting “charging time blocked” by only having a few hours in the morning or evening to get juiced up.  

At the end of the day, having a dedicated home charging setup is basically the ultimate convenience for EV owners. You’re in full control of when and where you charge, rather than being tethered to public charging station schedules and availability. For most drivers, that priceless convenience alone is worth the cost of installing a home charging station.

Cost Savings

While convenience is definitely the headline benefit, installing a home EV charger can also save you some serious cash compared to constantly relying on public charging stations. The long-term cost savings could honestly make getting a home setup pay for itself over time. Let’s look at the money-saving perks.

Lower Charging Rates

Charging up at public stations isn’t exactly cheap, with many charging per kWh rates higher than residential electricity rates. But with a home charging setup, you essentially get “retail” electricity rates from your utility provider. Those lower pricing tiers can translate to major savings over time.

For example, charging at home is cheaper because you pay your residential electricity rate, which is lower than the rates being charged at public charging stations. This makes home charging more affordable, especially if you charge regularly. Over time, these savings can really add up, making home charging the more cost-effective option in the long ru

Tax Credits and Rebates

To encourage more residential charging setups, local utilities and states including Illinois offer tax credits, rebates or other incentives for installing Level 2 home charging stations. These financial perks can knock hundreds off the upfront costs of purchasing and installing a home EV charger.

Additionally, the federal government provides their own specific incentives. Many utility companies also offer rebates or discounts, helping to further lower the cost of home EV charger installation

Long-Term Fuel Savings

Driving an electric vehicle (EV) offers significant savings over time, especially when it comes to fueling costs. Electricity is generally more affordable than gasoline, and charging an EV typically costs much less than refueling a traditional gas-powered car. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EV owners spend considerably less annually on “fueling” their vehicles compared to those driving gasoline-powered cars, with savings that add up to hundreds of dollars each year.

Over the lifetime of a vehicle, those savings really add up. Having a home charging setup only maximizes those long-term fuel savings by letting you charge at the lowest possible electricity rates.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Another cost benefit – electric cars have way fewer moving parts and components compared to internal combustion engines. No spark plugs, fuel injection systems, radiators, and other complex pieces that constantly need maintenance and replacement. Less overall maintenance = lower ownership costs.

Most EVs just need basic upkeep like tire rotations, brake inspections, and replacing cabin air filters. Things like multi-thousand dollar transmission overhauls or engine replacements are a non-issue. Estimates show the average EV can save thousands of dollars in maintenance costs over its lifetime compared to gas-powered cars.

Between lower charging rates, potential tax credits, long-term fuel savings, and reduced maintenance costs, the financial benefits of having a home charging setup are pretty compelling. While the upfront installation costs may give some folks sticker shock, many EV owners can actually make that money back over just a few years of ownership. Getting a home charger installed is an investment that really pays off.

Environmental Benefits

Sure, saving cash is awesome, but one of the biggest reasons to go electric is reducing your carbon footprint. Having a home charging setup lets you seriously maximize those eco-friendly benefits and align your actions with your green values. Here’s the rundown.

Renewable Energy Integration

With a home charging station, it gets way easier to power up your EV using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro. Many utilities these days offer green energy plans where you can source part or all of your electricity from renewables. 

Even better, you could install solar panels or other renewable generators right at your house. Then you can create this self-sustaining cycle where you’re charging your electric car with emissions-free electricity produced on-site. Talk about lowering your carbon footprint!

Supporting Clean Transportation

Let’s face it, every electric vehicle on the road helps cut emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for nearly 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gases. By making EV ownership more convenient with home charging, you’re helping accelerate that transition to more sustainable transportation.

The more chargers installed in homes across neighborhoods, the more it normalizes and encourages the shift away from gas-guzzlers. It’s a simple way to walk the walk and make EV ownership more accessible in your community.

Reduced Environmental Impact  

Sure, electric cars already produce way fewer direct emissions than gas-powered rides. But when you factor in emissions from electricity production to charge the battery, having a home setup lets you shrink that impact even further.

By charging with renewable energy or taking advantage of cleaner off-peak electricity mixes, you minimize the upstream emissions from your EV’s power consumption. It’s a level of environmental consciousness that’s tough to achieve just using public charging.

Aligning With Your Values

For lots of EV owners, reducing their carbon footprint is a core personal value. But constantly hunting for charging stations and idling in lines doesn’t really jive with that eco-friendly mindset. A home charging setup helps bring your actions into tighter alignment.

Having a dedicated home charging solution means less time wasted circling for open stations and idling – maximizing your EV’s overall energy efficiency. It’s a more sustainable lifestyle choice that reinforces your commitment to going green.

At the end of the day, whether you want a net-zero footprint or just a more eco-conscious ride, installing a home charger gives you serious ability to minimize your EV’s environmental impact. For many drivers, that peace of mind is priceless.

Enhanced Safety and Security

Don’t overlook the added safety and security benefits of installing a home charging station for your EV. Beyond just convenience, having your own charging setup provides some nice peace-of-mind perks that are worth considering.

Built-In Protective Features

Reputable home chargers come packed with protective features to prevent any electrical snafus. Overcurrent protection, ground monitoring, ventilation channels to prevent overheating – they’ve got your back covered on the safety front. Many models also have automatic restart functions if there’s a power blip and energy monitoring systems to protect against voltage issues. It’s an all-around safer charging experience than using basic wall outlets not designed for continuous EV charging loads.

Secure Home Charging

Using public chargers means leaving your ride unattended for long periods while it juices up. That creates opportunities for potential vandalism, theft, or other sketchy situations if the area isn’t well-monitored. With a home charging setup, you can simply plug in and let your EV charge up safely in your secured garage or driveway without any worries. No more stranded situations with a dead battery in shady areas either.

Residential Fire Safety

Electrical fires are serious business, so home charging stations have strict requirements around proper installation by certified electricians and residential fire safety standards. They’ll ensure your home’s electrical system can handle the added load and that the charger has ground-fault protection to prevent any fire hazards. Trying to DIY a charging setup or using extension cords not rated for continuous use can be a major fire risk.

At the end of the day, the safety features, secure home environment, and professional installation give EV owners way more peace of mind compared to the potential hazards of relying solely on public charging. It’s an added layer of security that makes owning an electric car that much more worry-free.

Smart Home Integration

If you’re already rocking a smart home setup, you’ll be stoked to hear that many home EV chargers can sync right up with your automated systems. Charging your electric vehicle can become just another piece of your connected home ecosystem, unlocking some slick high-tech perks.

Remote Monitoring and Control

One of the coolest smart home integrations is being able to remotely monitor and control your EV’s charging status from your phone or virtual assistant. Imagine getting a notification when your car has reached its desired charge level, or being able to easily schedule charging sessions while you’re away from home.

With voice commands or a few taps in an app, you can check charging progress in real-time, adjust amperage levels, set charging schedules, and more. It’s a seriously convenient way to stay looped in and manage your EV’s charging needs from anywhere.

Scheduled Off-Peak Charging

Speaking of scheduling, smart chargers tied into your home automation systems can easily be programmed to only charge during off-peak electricity rate hours. This allows you to take advantage of those lower utility rates and maximize your cost savings.

Some smart EV chargers even get hyper-efficient by integrating with utility companies’ off-peak schedules and rate plans. They’ll automatically only initiate charging sessions during the cheapest rate periods without you having to lift a finger.

Renewable Energy Prioritization 

For homes with solar panels or other renewable energy sources, smart charging stations can prioritize using that clean electricity to charge your EV’s battery first before tapping into the grid. Combining smart home energy management with EV charging is a great way to maximize your renewable power utilization.

Certain smart chargers can even be set to only operate using renewable energy sources until that reserve is depleted. It’s an easy way to ensure your electric vehicle is being powered by emissions-free energy as much as possible.

Home Energy Monitoring

Many smart EV chargers also track and report your vehicle’s charging energy consumption back to your home’s centralized monitoring system. This gives you a comprehensive view of your total household energy usage, letting you analyze consumption trends and optimize accordingly.

For smart home enthusiasts, an integrated EV charging station is like the cherry on top of a fully connected, eco-conscious home energy system. The ability to seamlessly manage and optimize your electric vehicle’s charging needs is just another perk of going high-tech.

Installation and Maintenance

So you’re sold on the awesome benefits of getting a home charging station for your EV. But what actually goes into getting one installed and keeping it in tip-top shape? Here’s a quick rundown of the installation process and maintenance requirements.

Installation Process

Installing a Level 2 home EV charger isn’t quite as simple as just plugging it into a standard wall outlet. These bad boys require some serious electrical work like:

• Running a dedicated 240V circuit from your electrical panel
• Upgrading your electrical service capacity if needed 
• Ensuring proper grounding and safety mechanisms

Because of the complex electrical needs, hiring a certified electrician to handle the installation is an absolute must. Trying to DIY this could easily become a safety hazard or fire risk. Expect the installation process to take a few hours from start to finish.

Maintenance Requirements

The good news is that once installed, home EV charging stations require very little maintenance or upkeep. No moving parts or fluids that need regular replacement. About all you need to do is:

• Keep the charging port, cord, and casing clean 
• Check periodically for any damage to components
• Ensure the mounting area stays clear of obstructions

That’s pretty much it! As long as you purchase from a reputable brand, home chargers are designed for years of reliable, low-maintenance operation. No expensive service calls or repair costs to worry about.

So while the upfront installation process requires some electrical know-how, the long-term maintenance is a total breeze. Just another perk that makes getting a home charging setup totally worth it for the convenience!

Chicagoland EV Owners – Get Charged Up with a Home Station Today!

There you have it, folks – a full charge of all the awesome reasons why installing a home EV charger is an absolute must for electric vehicle owners in the Chicago area. From unbeatable convenience to money-saving potential and smart home integration, that dedicated charging station provides some seriously sweet perks.

At the end of the day, relying solely on public chargers just doesn’t cut it when it comes to making EV life easy. Who wants to deal with constantly hunting for open stations, waiting in lines, or getting stranded with a dead battery? With a home charging setup by Precision Today, you can simply pull into your driveway and plug in whenever you need a refill.

Plus, all those long-term cost savings from lower electricity rates and reduced maintenance really allow a home charger to pay for itself over time. We’re talking thousands of dollars kept in your pocket rather than burned at the pump. And integrating with renewable energy is a breeze for an even lower carbon footprint!

The bottom line is, EV ownership just isn’t complete without a home charging solution installed by the knowledgeable, fast-paced, and customer-focused experts at Precision Today. We jump on EV charger installations today so you don’t have to wait!

Don’t be that poor soul desperately hunting for a public charging spot at 10pm with a 5% battery. Give us a call at (630) 425-8995 and let Precision Today get you charged up with a premium home EV charging station ASAP. When tomorrow is too late for convenient at-home charging, you need the Precision Today team electrifying Chicagoland!