While public charging stations are available, the convenience of overnight charging at home is one big draw for installing EV charging stations in homes, said President of Magnify Electric James Dougherty.
Magnify Electric is a Spicewood-based, full-service electrical contractor that has serviced the Central Texas area for over a decade. The company provides residential service work as well as commercial new construction and remodel work, and provides homeowners with a local option for EV charger installation.
Dougherty shared with Community Impact what goes into the EV charger installation process and what homeowners need to know before taking the plunge.
This interview has been edited for style and clarity.
What does the electric vehicle charger installation process involve?
It starts with ... a brief phone consultation just to kind of understand the needs of the customer and the layout of the home. And then, a visit to the home so we can ... determine if any changes need to be made to the system. If the installation needs to take place, then any permitting panel upgrades or things like that for the installation.
What factors should homeowners take into account when considering one?
They want to think about what kind of vehicle they’re purchasing, whether it’s a hybrid or fully electric. They want to think about the different levels of chargers ... and if their electric system can handle the additional load. We always suggest having an electrician have a look at their system before purchasing an EV ... because it can be a significant cost getting the charging infrastructure put in place.
Is there a difference between attached and detached garages?
The determining factor typically is where your main electrical panel is located in the home in relation to where you want your EV charging unit installed.
How much does it cost to install?
We’ve done installs as low as just installing a 240V outlet, as low as a few hundred dollars, all the way up to full panel upgrades with multi-unit installs for multiple thousands of dollars. ... I would say on average it’s $2,500.
How long does the installation process take?
The install process can be done in 1-2 days depending on the intensity of the work. ... Permitting can drag it out several weeks. Personally, we handle all of that in house so homeowners don’t have to do that themselves.
How can homeowners find a reputable installer?
The best thing to do is to make sure they are asking for electrical contractors that are insured and licensed. They are verifying they have performed EV installations before. They can go on Austin Energy website and there is a section on there that lists approved contractors for EV installers.
What are the benefits of having an EV charger?
Definitely [the] convenience of being able to start your day every day with a full charge. And cost. The cost is drastically lower to charge your car at home versus charging publicly at chargers.
What measures are taken to reduce electrical fire risk?
It has no more risk than installing any other piece of electrical equipment. ... You just want to make sure you’re using a licensed, insured electrical contractor with experience.
What is the upkeep process?
Once it’s installed, there isn’t really any upkeep. ... We recommend an annual electrical safety inspection of your electrical system. ... Almost everything in the home has a recommendation for an annual inspection on it.
- 22503 Hwy. 71, Spicewood
- www.magnifyelectric.com
