Tesla has launched quite a number of models of electric cars in the past years. These cars are very cost efficient in terms of fuel costing. Besides these, it is very easy to charge a Tesla. Charging it at home gives you much flexibility. You may ask, what is needed to charge a Tesla at home?
You can charge a Tesla at home by the NEMA 5-15 adapter that comes with the car; it is a slow charging process and uses 120 V from the outlet. Or you can also set up a wall connector or the NEMA 14-50 to charge at 240 V which is a faster process.
You can see there is a number of ways to charge your Tesla at home. Charging at home is easy and efficient in terms of cost. Let’s have a look at the 3 types of home charging facilities I have mentioned above.
What Are The Types Of Chargers Available To Charge Tesla?
You can charge your Tesla in 3 different levels. These charging levels depend on the type of charger you are using to charge your Tesla. The types of charging levels are–
- Level 1 charging: This is the slowest form of charging. It uses NEMA 5-15 adapters and a 120 V AC supply. Charging from home outlets are marked as level 1 charging.
- Level 2 charging: This is a comparatively fast charging level. It uses 240 V AC. NEMA 14-50 and wall connectors are characterized as level 2 charging. This can also be acquired at home.
- Level 3 charging: This is the fastest way to charge your Tesla. This is only found in the Tesla supercharging stations. It uses 480 V DC. This level of charging is not found at home.
You will receive 3 adapters when you buy a Tesla. Each one is given for the voltage levels given above. You can acquire a level 1 and 2 charging at home. Let’s see what do you need to charge a Tesla at home in details.
What Is Needed To Charge A Tesla At Home?
You can charge a Tesla at home by plugging into the regular outlets of 120 V AC using a NEMA 5-15 adapter. It is a slow process.
To speed up you can set up a NEMA 14-50 outlet in your home to charge your Tesla with the corresponding adapter. But the best and efficient way to charge is to set up a wall connector.
Using A NEMA 5-15 Adapter:
It requires regular home outlets. All you need is to plug your NEMA 5-15 adapter into the regular outlet and connect it to your Tesla. It will start charging. This is the easiest method since you do not need any extra installations. But it will only give you a range of about 3-4 miles of range per hour of charging.
Using A NEMA 14-50 Adapter:
It uses a 4 prong outlet that provides a 240 Volts AC supply. After wiring the outlet in your house you can use it to charge your Tesla using the NEMA 14-50 charger that comes with your car. It is a comparatively fast charger than the previous one. It gives a range of 20-30 miles per hour of charging.
Using A Wall Connector:
The most efficient way to charge a Tesla at home is to install a Wall Connector (Tesla wall connector installation). It is a special feature from Tesla. You have to buy a wall connector and get an electrician to install it. It provides 240 Volts AC and a better current supply than the NEMA 14-50 adapters. It gives a range of 30-40 miles per hour of charging.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Tesla At Home?
Using a regular home outlet and a NEMA 5-15 adapter it will take about 3-4 days to charge your Tesla depending on the model you are charging.
Using a NEMA 14-50 adapter will reduce the charging period to 15-17 hours. Tesla silver Wall Connector will charge even faster. It will take about 7-8 hours to charge your Tesla fully.
Looking at the comparisons between the adapters and their charging speed you can tell that the wall connector is the most efficient and fast charging method for home. That is why Tesla recommends using the wall connector for charging at home. To learn more about other ways of charging period visit this article (How long does it take to charge a Tesla?)
What Is The Tesla Home Charger Price?
The NEMA 5-15 is included in the Car package. So, it is free and does not need any installations cost either. If your car does not come with a level 2 adapter like NEMA 15-50, you will have to buy one which will cost 45 $. And a wall connector costs 500 $. Both of these needs an installation cost of 750-1500 $.
Since the NEMA 5-15 is a very slow charging method it is better to use a NEMA 15-50 or a wall connector despite the price that comes with it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
There are always lots of questions in your minds regarding such topics. So, I take my time to respond to your questions as much as possible. Here are some of them-
Which One To Prefer – Tesla Home Chargers Versus Others?
Each has their own advantages. But I prefer Tesla home charger. There are certain reasons for the choice. The low cost advantages as well as the flexibility and battery health are the prime concerns here.
Home chargers have a less electric bill per KWH of energy consumed by the car. You can easily charge your car whole night using a second level charger, which gives enough range to drive your day to day needs. Besides, always using a super charger can be harmful for the longevity of the battery.
On the other hand superchargers are good for instant charging in a very short period. Super charging stations has a higher electricity charge (Are Tesla charging stations free?) also. This method is flexible during long trips outside home. But in case of regular use I would prefer home charging over other charging method.
Are Tesla Home Chargers Worth It?
Yes, Tesla home chargers totally worth it. It gives you enough range in a night time charge to drive your car the following day. It charges less electric bill and is good for the battery health.
Is Tesla Silver Wall Connector A Good Choice?
Yes, it is a good choice. In fact while charging at home you should use a second level charger to charge quickly. And Tesla recommends using a wall connector for better charging.
Conclusion
The article gives a total view on the things you need to charge your Tesla at home. It is the easiest and efficient way to charge your Tesla. Just install the connector and plug in your car for the whole night. Charging for a whole night with a second level charger is enough to drive your car for a number of days.
If you are planning to buy a Tesla, no need to have any second thoughts. Get ready to install your charger at home to get the best outcome. If you need to know anything just go through a article again. Here is everything you need to know. Good luck buddies….
