With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more common across Ireland, more homeowners are asking the same question: How do I charge faster at home? While public rapid chargers offer speed, the real convenience comes from having your own EV charger right at home. But not all home charging setups are created equal.
If you want to get the best performance, reduce charging times, and make the most of your setup, this guide will show you how to maximise your home EV charging speed.
1. Understand Your Home Charging Options
First, it’s essential to understand the basic differences between EV charging types:
- 3-pin plug (slow charging): This standard domestic socket is the slowest option, charging at around 2.3kW. It’s only recommended for occasional use.
- Dedicated home charger (fast charging): These wall-mounted units typically offer 7.4kW on a single-phase supply, significantly reducing charging time.
- Three-phase charging (where available): If your home has a three-phase electricity supply (more common in commercial properties), you could install an 11kW or even 22kW charger.
Most Irish homes operate on a single-phase supply, which makes a 7.4kW home charger the fastest and most practical choice for residential use.
2. Choose the Right EV Charger
To maximise charging speed, select a smart, high-performance EV charger. Here’s what to look for:
- 7.4kW charging capability: The sweet spot for single-phase homes, offering a good balance of speed and safety.
- Tethered vs untethered: Tethered chargers (with cable attached) save time as the cable is always ready. Untethered offers flexibility but adds a small step each time.
- Smart scheduling: Look for a model that allows you to schedule charging during low-rate hours for savings and reduced strain on your system.
- Load balancing: Helps prevent overloading your home's supply by intelligently managing the power draw.
Popular models in Ireland include the Ohme Home Pro, Ohme ePod, and MyEnergi Zappi. Especially for homes with solar panels.
3. Optimise Your Electrical Setup
Even the best charger can be held back by outdated or inadequate home wiring. To support faster and safer charging:
- Upgrade your fuse board if needed: Older electrical systems might not safely support a 7.4kW charger.
- Check your main supply capacity: Your electrician or installer can confirm if your home’s supply is sufficient.
- Ensure proper earthing and surge protection: This protects both your EV and your home’s wiring from electrical issues.
A certified installer like WattCharger will assess your home’s setup before installation to ensure you get optimal speed and safety.
4. Use Smart Charging Features
Smart chargers offer features that can speed things up or optimise charging in smarter ways, such as:
- Charge during off-peak hours: Charging at night or during low-demand periods not only saves money but ensures your car gets uninterrupted power.
- App controls: Many chargers come with mobile apps that let you start, stop, or schedule charging remotely.
- Monitor your charging sessions: Tracking your energy usage helps you understand how long it takes to reach a full charge and adjust your habits accordingly.
- Plug in early: If you know you’ll need a full battery tomorrow, plug in early and let the smart features manage the schedule for maximum efficiency.
5. Keep Your Charger Maintained
Like any electrical equipment, a well-maintained EV charger performs better and lasts longer. Here’s how to maintain it:
- Keep the unit clean and dry: Irish weather can be damp, but most home chargers are weatherproof. Still, regular visual checks help.
- Inspect the cable: Watch for signs of wear, fraying, or twisting, particularly with tethered units.
- Update firmware regularly: Many smart chargers push firmware updates that improve performance or introduce new features.
- Reboot occasionally: Just like routers and phones, an occasional reboot can help fix slow responsiveness.
6. Maximise Charging Speed with the Right Habits
You can speed up your EV charging indirectly by planning and charging more efficiently:
- Avoid a completely empty battery: EVs tend to charge slower when the battery is very low or near full. Charging in the mid-range (20–80%) is more efficient.
- Charge overnight: This not only aligns with cheaper electricity rates (on smart tariffs) but also guarantees a full battery by morning without rushing.
- Use preconditioning: On some EVs, setting your car to heat or cool while still plugged in uses mains power instead of battery power, making the most of your charger.
7. Consider Solar Integration
If you have solar panels, integrating your EV charger with solar can optimise your home energy usage and reduce costs.
Some chargers, like the Zappi, are built for solar and can automatically divert excess solar generation into your EV. This might not charge your car faster, but it can help charge more frequently at minimal cost, especially during sunny seasons.
8. Future-Proof with Battery Storage
If you're thinking long-term, pairing a home charger with a solar battery gives you access to stored energy for nighttime charging. Maximising your independence from the grid and reducing peak-time costs.
It also adds flexibility in case of power cuts or future smart grid features.
9. Work With a Trusted Installer
Speed, safety, and performance all depend on proper installation. Work with SEAI-registered installers like WattCharger who:
- Assess your home’s capacity
- Recommend the best charger model for your car and habits
- Set up smart features correctly
- Ensure compliance with Irish regulations and SEAI grant conditions
Ready to Charge Smarter and Faster?
Installing a high-speed EV charger at home isn’t just about convenience. It’s about making the most of your time, your power, and your vehicle.
With the right charger, smart settings, and good charging habits, you can cut down charging time and enjoy a smoother EV ownership experience in Ireland.
Need help getting started? WattCharger offers expert advice and certified installation across Dublin, Cork, and nationwide. Get in touch for a free consultation.
Blog Author: Rowan Egan