Many drivers of all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will charge their vehicles overnight at home using AC Level 1 or AC Level 2 charging equipment. Residential equipment frequently will be installed in garages, but outdoor installation and use are also safe, even if the vehicle is being charged in the rain. Outdoor installations require outdoor-rated charging equipment. Charging at a multi-family residential complex requires additional considerations and may be more similar to public charging than to charging at a single-family home. Many EV and PHEV owners will be able to meet their daily driving range requirements by charging overnight with AC Level 1 EVSE, requiring no additional cost or installation, provided that a power outlet on a dedicated branch circuit is available near their parking location. For drivers with less regular schedules, or longer commutes, AC Level 2 charging equipment can be purchased and installed. State incentives may be available to help offset the cost.

The most basic AC Level 2 products have standard safety features and status lights. More advanced, "smart" AC Level 2 products have features such as enhanced displays, charging timers, communications capabilities, and keypads. Installation contractors can inform homeowners if their home has adequate electrical capacity for vehicle charging. Some homes might have insufficient electric capacity for AC Level 2 equipment. Homeowners may have a qualified electrician add circuits to accommodate the capacity needed for AC Level 2 charging. The City of San Jose, California, has issued requirements for installing an Electric Vehicle Charging System Permit Requirements- SF/DupIexes that briefly explains the permitting process and location planning for a home EVSE. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installations must comply with local, state, and national codes and regulations. Appropriate permits may be required from the local building, fire, environmental, and electrical inspecting and permitting authorities.

You can learn about related codes and standards on the Codes and Standards Resources page. how much to install a central ac unitElectric vehicle charging equipment is considered a continuous load by the National Electrical Code (NEC). cover for outside ac unitYour electrical contractor should understand and apply the current NEC for a safe and code-compliant installation. hvac heat pump replacementNEC Article 625 contains most of the information applicable to charging equipment. If possible, consult vehicle manufacturer guidance for information about the required charging equipment and learn the specifications before purchasing equipment or electrical services. In many areas, a site installation plan must be submitted to the permitting authority for approval before installation.

Jurisdictions that have not yet developed a permitting process for residential EVSE installations can refer to the permitting template. The fuel efficiency of an all-electric vehicle may be measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles rather than miles per gallon. To calculate the cost per mile of an all-electric vehicle, the cost of electricity (in dollars per kWh) and the efficiency of the vehicle (how much electricity is used to travel 100 miles) must be known. If electricity costs $0.11 per kWh and the vehicle consumes 34 kWh to travel 100 miles, the cost per mile is about $0.04. If electricity costs $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, charging an all-electric vehicle with a 70-mile range (assuming a fully depleted 24 kWh battery) will cost about $2.64 to reach a full charge. This cost is about the same as operating an average central air conditioner for about 6 hours. General Motors estimates the annual energy use of the Chevy Volt is about 2,520 kilowatt-hours, which is less than that required for a typical water heater or central air conditioning.

To compare the fueling costs of individual models of conventional and plug-in vehicles, see the Vehicle Cost Calculator. For EV and PHEV charging, the stability and planning benefits of household electricity rates offer an attractive alternative compared to traditional petroleum-based transportation. Learn more from Idaho National Laboratory's report: Comparing Energy Costs per Mile for Electric and Gasoline-Fueled Vehicles. Please Click here to login again. Take advantage of our AC Quality Care Program Heating and cooling accounts for over 44 percent of your home energy bill. Lower your monthly energy bill by keeping your air conditioning equipment working at peak efficiency. AC Quality Care can help. When was the last time you had your AC system checked? A home AC system can be complicated. Luckily, PG&E rebates aren’t. Maintaining your air conditioner might not be something you think about, but it should be. Especially when you realize that heating and cooling account for 44 percent of your home energy bill.

That being the case, it’s easy to see how important routine maintenance is to help your AC system perform better, decrease costs, and reduce the chances of it breaking down. How the program works Air conditioning equipment needs regular maintenance to operate efficiently. AC Quality Care contractors are trained in national industry maintenance standards to help your AC system perform better and save you energy and money. AC Quality Care begins with a complete assessment of your system. A certified contractor helps you decide what preventive maintenance you need by: Visiting your home to test your system and explain what you can expect from the program Assessing your air conditioning system for safety, performance and any needed repairs Providing detailed recommendations, along with information about available rebates You decide what work you want your contractor to perform. After the work is completed, your contractor helps you apply for PG&E rebates to cover some of your costs.

How to qualify for rebates You can receive rebates of up to $395 to help pay for work done by AC Quality Care certified contractors. Rebates are available for the following services and products: $75 initial Full ACCA Standard 4 HVAC System Assessment. This assessment provides a complete evaluation of your system. Then you work with your contractor on next steps. Following the assessment, you may qualify for additional rebates. $50 refrigerant charge adjustment. $50 efficient fan delay rebate. $170 replacement blower motor rebate. $50 one-year quality maintenance agreement rebate. To qualify, you must complete at least one of the following: refrigerant charge adjustment, efficient fan delay, blower motor retrofit. $100 comprehensive kicker, available with the One-Year Quality Maintenance Agreement and completion of two energy savings measures. Measures include refrigerant charge adjustment, efficient fan delay, blower motor retrofit. To be eligible to receive rebates, you must: