Home EV chargers

Level 2 home EV charger installation in Edmonton: load calculation, dedicated circuit, garage or outdoor mounting, load management and permits.

Why charge at home

Home charging is the cheapest and most convenient way to own an EV. You plug in when you get home and leave with a full battery. In winter, a home charger also lets you warm the car while it is still plugged in, so you start the day with a warm cabin and more range.

A Level 2 charger runs on a 208 V or 240 V dedicated circuit. It is much faster than a standard 120 V receptacle and easily covers a normal day of Edmonton driving, even in January.

Before you buy a charger, it helps to know where the car's charge port is, where you park, and whether a second EV is likely in the next few years. All three affect where the charger goes and how we size the circuit.

Your panel decides the plan

We start with a load calculation on your service. The Canadian Electrical Code considers EV charging a continuous load, which means the circuit and breaker need to be sized with extra margin. Whether your service can carry it depends on its size and what else is in the house: electric range, dryer, air conditioner, hot tub, in-floor heat.

Older homes with 60 A services or panels that cannot get replacement breakers usually need work first. We will tell you plainly if your panel needs replacement and why.

When the numbers are tight, EV load management lets the charger share your service safely by slowing down when the house is busy. It is often far less disruptive than an upgrade and passes inspection when installed with certified equipment.

Hardwired or plug-in

Some chargers are hardwired, and some plug into a high-current receptacle. Both can be safe when installed properly. Hardwired units have fewer connections to wear out. Plug-in units are easy to swap later, but the receptacle must be a quality, rated device suitable for long hours at full load, and it should be inside a garage, not exposed to snow.

We also look at the charger's own features: adjustable current limit (so it can match the circuit), scheduling for off-peak hours if your plan has them, and whether it can share a circuit with a second charger later.

If you rent, live in a townhouse or share a garage, check with your landlord or condo board before any work. Our commercial EV charging team helps boards plan building-wide solutions.

Outdoor and winter details

If you park on the driveway, the charger needs to be rated for outdoor use and mounted where a snow shovel, snowblower or reversing truck will not hit it. We keep the cable off the ground with a holster or hook, because frozen cables are stiff and easily damaged.

• Mount near the charge port side of your usual parking spot.
• Use a holster and cable hook so the plug stays clean and dry.
• Seal wall penetrations to keep cold air and moisture out.
• Keep the charger clear of roof drip lines and ice.

Detached garages need a feeder or circuit run from the house, usually underground. That adds trenching and sometimes a small subpanel in the garage, which is also handy for a workshop.

Questions we hear