Electric vehicles are in high demand like never before. A growing number of vehicle owners are considering switching to electric vehicles in the pursuit of becoming more eco-friendly. And while fuelling up a vehicle with an internal combustion engine requires travelling to the gas station, charging an electric car can be done straight from home. All you need is to install an EV charger in your house. In this blog, we discuss the steps involved in securely installing an EV charger in a private residential home.

EV Charger Installation

Get a permit

Check with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) if you need a permit to install an EV charger in your home. In 99.99% of cases you do need the permit, and the installation must be conducted by a Licensed Electrical Contractor with an ECRA/ESA electrical contracting license. An electrical contractor can also guide you on getting all the necessary permits. 

Confirm if your electrical panel has space and can handle the load

See if your electrical panel has enough space to accommodate a circuit breaker for the electric vehicle charger. You can also speak to a licensed electrical contractor to do this for you as they will be the ones installing the charger. 

Purchase a charger (Level 1 or 2) and look for a certification mark 

All EV chargers must carry the official mark or label of the agency which indicates that the product has been independently assessed for safety. Before purchasing a charger, confirm it is certified to be used in Canada by a nationally recognized certification agency such as Underwriter’s Laboratories of Canada.

See if you qualify for funding

The City of Toronto provides funding to help residents cover the costs of home energy improvements, including installing level 2 EV chargers. There are certain eligibility criteria, so check that out first before applying for the funding. 

Hire a professional electrician 

While installing a level 1 or 2 EV charger may seem like an easy task to do, it is recommended to get a licensed electrician to get the work done. A licensed electrical contractor will guide you and handle all the paperwork involved in the EV charge installation, file the necessary applications and skillfully perform the actual installation. Besides, most electrical service companies provide their clients with a warranty on the work they do. 

Hiring a licensed electrical contractor to install an EV charger will not only ensure compliance with local regulations and all safety standards met, but will also provide you with peace of mind that the installation was performed by a skilled professional. 

A.S. Electrical Services Ltd. has fully licensed contractors that provide quality service and workmanship since 2006 in Toronto and the GTA. Speak to us today to see what we can do for you.