If you’re moving to a new home, you need to decide whether to move your existing EV charging station. This can generally be done, but it may not necessarily be the best option.
Pros and Cons of Moving the Charger
To start with, ask yourself if you are satisfied with your current equipment. If not, then it may be best to start over with a new charger at your new residence. Next, it’s important to know whether your new home can support the old charger’s electrical requirements, and the best way to find this out is by having an electrician evaluate the situation. Finally, consider that more and more people are buying electric vehicles, so, if you haven’t closed on the sale of your current home, leaving the charging station for the new owner will likely boost your property’s resale value.
Other Considerations
Is your charger covered by a warranty? If not, it may not be worth moving. Also, if the equipment is old, you might not want to go through the expense and trouble of moving it to your new home. If you are moving to a condominium, consider that the electrical system is sometimes shared with the residents on the other side of the wall, and you will have to discuss any changes with them. Additionally, homeowners’ groups might balk at major changes to electrical systems because they have rules and regulations regarding energy use.
Making the Move
If you decide to go through with the move after an electrician has cleared it, then it’s time to disconnect the charger. Again, this is not a DIY job because a charger is generally running on a 240-volt circuit, and an electrician knows how to unhook one safely and according to code. Next, it’s time to carefully prepare the charger for transport. Put all the hardware in a separate bag, and take pictures of what you are doing as you go along.
The panel at your new home needs to be evaluated to see if it can handle the new voltage. If not, it’s probably best to put in a subpanel. Finally, have an electrician hook up the charger and test it on your vehicles.
To conclude, EV charging is still a relatively new thing, so many homeowners want to keep using the residential charging station that they are comfortable with. Moving a charger to a new residence is usually possible, but it may not be practical or cost effective. What’s more, you have many safety considerations to consider when moving an old charger. Ultimately, it comes down to what you are willing to put up with in order to keep your current charger. When you need EV charger services in Holyoke, MA, contact Duryea.
