Charging an electric car at home is cheaper and far more convenient than relying on public chargers. If you are thinking about getting a home charge point fitted in Nottingham, here is exactly what to expect, from choosing a charger to the paperwork at the end.
Choosing the right charger
Most homes in the UK have a single-phase supply, which means a 7kW charger is the usual choice. It will add roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour of charging, which is more than enough to fill most cars overnight. Faster 22kW chargers need a three-phase supply, which very few houses have.
- Tethered or untethered: a tethered charger has the cable permanently attached, so you just plug in. An untethered charger has a socket, which looks tidier but means keeping a cable in the car.
- Smart features: by law, chargers installed at homes in Great Britain must be smart charge points. That lets you schedule charging on cheaper overnight tariffs and track your usage from an app.
- Wall or post: most chargers go on an outside wall near the driveway, but a post-mounted charger is a neat option when the parking space is away from the house.
The survey
Before anything is fitted, we check that your electrics can safely handle the extra load. We look at your main fuse rating, your consumer unit, the earthing arrangement and the best cable route from the fuse board to the charger. If your consumer unit is old or full, it may need upgrading first (see our guide on signs you need a consumer unit upgrade).
Installation day
A standard home installation usually takes a few hours. We run a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit to the charger, mount and connect the unit, then test everything thoroughly. We take care to route cables neatly and keep them as discreet as possible, and we always tidy up before we leave.
The paperwork we handle for you
A proper EV charger installation is not finished when the charger lights up. As part of the service we take care of:
- DNO application: notifying your local electricity network operator about the new charger.
- Testing certificate: a full electrical installation certificate showing the new circuit has been tested and is safe.
- Building control notification: registering the work so it is properly recorded, which matters when you come to sell your home.
Chargers for businesses
We also install commercial chargers for workplaces, car parks and fleets, from a couple of wall-mounted units to several pedestal chargers. Take a look at our services for more details.
Need a hand?
Ready to charge at home? Call Dan on 07914 146034, email dan@lightningelectricservices.co.uk or send us a message for a free, no-obligation quote. You can also see more of our work on our past projects page.