Which electrical charger installation proposals should I pick?

[twoblackdogs]

Hi all, I live in Chicago and am looking for electricians to install a 240V outlet in my detached garage for a Model Y expected at EOY. I got several proposals and eliminated them to two of the ideal ones. I know nothing about electricity so I am looking for some advice on which one to pick:

Background: Total 100 AMP with limited to no extra spaces in the panel.

First Proposal: $1,500 for a panel swap with a new Siemens 100 AMP, 32-space panel, and $2,500 for the power brought to the garage via underground pipe. Total: $4,000

Second Proposal: Install a new sub-panel and power brought to the garage through the roof. Total: $3,352

Based on my research, I should choose the second proposal because it is safer and cheaper to install a sub-panel; however, I do have a problem with my current panel where occasionally my lights dim or flash during the winter when my furnace is on, so I am debating on the first proposal as well. Can someone please give me some suggestions?

 

[rvoliveira]

There's a way to share the breaker with the dryer. It's not the best, but you may use one or the other

 

[rvoliveira]

I would try something kind this to share the dryer's breaker:

Splitvolt Affordable EV Charging Products | Empowering EV Adoption

Affordable EV charging products from Splitvolt your enhance your EV ownership experience and promote electric vehicle adoption.

www.splitvolt.com

 

[SageBrush]

First Proposal: $1,500 for a panel swap with a new Siemens 100 AMP

I doubt you understood correctly. While it is possible that the Electric service drop is 100 Amps, it is not likely. Start there, since a beefier service will allow a new panel with a higher Amp rating. Current NEC code requires 100 Amps to multi family dwellings, and 200 Amps to single family homes. Staying with a 100 Amp panel and charging an EV is possible but it amounts to putting a square peg into a round hole. If you plan to stay in that home for years, consider upgrading the service panel to 200 Amps, presuming the service allows.

Your dimming lights is an overloaded branch circuit issue, not a matter of the service panel 100 Amps.

Your take that a sub-panel choice is the basic question is a red herring since it doesn't matter whether you add a breaker to your service panel to go to the EVSE receptacle, or add a breaker to the service panel to power a sub-panel and from there to a receptacle. Re-focus your decision on the home Amp service rating you want, the utility service feed allows, you are willing to pay for, and go from there.

 

[Takumi]

TLDR

I would like to suggest the SPAN electrical panel and SPAN drive if $$$ is not quite a concern.

SPAN® Panel | Lower your energy bill

SPAN Panel is a re-invention of the 100 yr old home electrical panel

www.span.io

SPAN® Drive | Level 2 EV charging without the service upgrade

A stunning complement to your EV that looks as good as it performs

www.span.io

No, I don't have it.

 

[SageBrush]

TLDR

I would like to suggest the SPAN electrical panel and SPAN drive if $$$ is not quite a concern.

SPAN® Panel | Lower your energy bill

SPAN Panel is a re-invention of the 100 yr old home electrical panel

www.span.io

SPAN® Drive | Level 2 EV charging without the service upgrade

A stunning complement to your EV that looks as good as it performs

www.span.io

No, I don't have it.

The SPAN panel attempts to circumvent load calculations by enforcing a maximum load. It is a very interesting idea, but it does not break the laws of physics, and it does have to be accepted by your local regulatory authority.

 

[qdeathstar]

.

Your dimming lights is an overloaded branch circuit issue, not a matter of the service panel 100 Amps.

Most often it is a problem with the panel or meterbase.

 

[qdeathstar]

TLDR

I would like to suggest the SPAN electrical panel and SPAN drive if $$$ is not quite a concern.

SPAN® Panel | Lower your energy bill

SPAN Panel is a re-invention of the 100 yr old home electrical panel

www.span.io

SPAN® Drive | Level 2 EV charging without the service upgrade

A stunning complement to your EV that looks as good as it performs

www.span.io

No, I don't have it.

How about getting replacement parts for that panel in 10 years….

 

[DuncanM]

Hey @jcanoe, thank you so much for the information! This gives me a lot of confidence. I rarely drive; in fact, Model Y is my first vehicle. On average I drive about 20-40 miles a day and 60 miles at most.

Install a Nema 5-20 GFCI plug in the garage (and make sure wire and breaker can handle that) and you can charger at 120v/16amp and get about 7 miles of range per hour of charge.

Also go through your house and make sure you're using LED light bulbs everywhere and look at installing more efficient appliances (example: hot water tank). Spend your money reducing your electrical load, rather than increasing your capacity. Consider a shared outlet for your dryer, if you want to charge your EV at 240v.

 

[Rocky_H]

I would try something kind this to share the dryer's breaker:

Consider a shared outlet for your dryer, if you want to charge your EV at 240v.

Y'all, stop. He already said the dryer is not electric:

and then asked me briefly whether my washer/dryer and stove are using electricity, to which I responded with no to all questions.