If you’ve been thinking of buying an electric car, you may be wondering if your home’s electrical system can accommodate it. Many people are surprised to learn that most homes don’t have the necessary wiring to support an electric car. If you’re not sure whether or not your home is ready for an electric vehicle, keep reading! In today’s post from Ikon Electric, we’ll discuss some tips for upgrading your home’s electrical system so you can power your new ride!
Your Home’s Electrical Panel
If you’re not sure whether or not your home is ready for an electric vehicle, there are a few things you can do to check. The first step is to inspect your home’s electrical panel. Things to consider are whether you have 100 amp or 200 amp electrical service, as well as the number of electrical appliances throughout your home. A residential electrician can perform an electrical overload test to ensure your home’s electrical panel can handle charging your new electric car.
Consider an Energy Management System
While upgrading your home’s electrical panel is one option to ensuring you have enough energy to support charging your electric car, it can be expensive. Another option you may want to consider is an energy management system. This system measures the total amount of electricity being drawn from your electrical panel and will automatically shut off the current to your car charger if the load becomes too much. Once the load falls back under the set rate, it will automatically restore power to your electric car charger.
Signs of Insufficient Electrical Service
If you already own an electric car, there are signs to watch out for that signal your home’s electrical system is not powerful enough to support your home energy use plus charging your car. These signs include:
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Buzzing outlets or switches
- Power surges
- Frequent light bulb failure
- Your circuit breaker trips frequently
- Slow charging of your car
Consult With a Residential Electrician
If you are considering purchasing an electric car, it’s essential that you understand whether or not your home’s electrical system can support it. Hiring a residential electrician to evaluate your electrical system is the best way to ensure that it can handle the requirements of an electric car.
Ikon Electric – Your Residential Electrification Experts
Are you thinking about buying an electric car? Contact the residential electrification experts at Ikon Electric in Loves Park today and we’ll help you determine if your home’s electrical system is sufficient or requires an upgrade.