Electric Car Chargers – Yes, We Install Those!

Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric Installs Home Chargers for EVs

With the heightened interest in hybrid and all-electric vehicles (EVs) comes the increased need to install chargers for them. At Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, our licensed electricians have been busy lately installing electric car chargers at our customers’ homes.

Home EV chargers
There are two kinds of charging equipment for the home, an AC Level 1 (120 volts) or Level 2 (240 volts which delivers a faster charge). What you select depends on your usual commute or driving habits, typical charging schedule, and availability of public chargers in the area.

1. The Level 1 chargers come with many electric vehicles and plug into a standard outlet—but charge the car’s battery very slowly. It could take more than a full day to charge an empty battery. (An overnight charge might give you a few dozen miles in driving range.) Plus, your home’s electrical system might not be able to handle the additional draw needed to charge a car.
2. That’s why many people opt to install a Level 2 EV charger. These are more powerful and recharge the battery fully overnight. EV owners can add dozens of miles to their car’s range in just an hour for those around-the-town driving needs. These chargers use a different plug and require an electrician to install the unit.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners purchase safety-certified equipment, such as units certified under the ENERGY STAR label, as those are tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

Use a certified electrician for the installation
Some do-it-yourselfers may think they can install an EV charger on their own but this project requires an experienced, certified electrician to make sure everything is installed correctly and safely. We want to keep you safe from the risk of fire or shocks and ensure that your electrical service can support this new equipment.

• Our electrician will conduct a pre-installation site visit to:
  • evaluate the home’s electrical service to determine if it has adequate capacity for EV charging or if your electrical panel needs an upgrade,
  • determine where the charger will be mounted (inside or outside),
  • take appropriate measurements and other information to install a dedicated circuit and wiring to the unit,
  • set an installation date.
• As an EV installer, we make sure the installation complies with wiring and other federal and state regulations. We provide you with a town permit with an electrical inspection to meet national electrical codes.
• Our electricians understand the technical requirements involved in installing EV home chargers.
• Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric will take care of getting the relevant permits from your town.
• As with many other types of home or business equipment—such as HVAC units or roofing materials—you could violate the warranty and lose that protection if your EV charger is not installed by a certified electrician.

NOTE: Residential equipment is often installed in the garage but it is completely safe to have your EV charger installed and used outside. Note that if you plan to install your charger outside, you must purchase outdoor-rated equipment.

If you’re in the market for an electric vehicle and want to get the most charge available with a Level 2 EV charger, contact Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric for a consultation. Our licensed electricians can also install new electrical outlets, run lines for electric garage door openers, security lights and cameras, landscape lighting, and more.