Want to know how to charge Tesla at home? If so, then you have reached the right junction. In this article, let us explore Tesla home charging and how to charge your Tesla at home.
Know the Basics for Charging Tesla
To charge Tesla, you must know the charging levels for your Tesla battery life for efficient charging. Tesla offers three charging levels, each offering different charging speeds. However, every Tesla model has a different maximum charge power they can consume. That is why it is important to know the right type of charging level for your car, which lowers the cost in the long run.
3 Charging Levels
All three charging levels run on different levels of voltage. At the same time, each charging level has the maximum power output of the charging station and the maximum power consumption of your Tesla car. Moreover, the charging time from empty to full varies depending on the charging level and your Tesla model.
- Level 1: (120 V) charging needs 4 days to charge from empty to full.
- Level 2: (240 V) charging needs 6 to 30 hours to charge from empty to full.
- Level 3: (480 V) Supercharging or DC fast charging needs 30 minutes to charge from empty to full.
Tesla Home Charging
The biggest advantage of having a Tesla is in-home charging. Tesla home charging uses a level 2 charger that uses 240V electric outlets that are used in the electric ovens and dryers at home. Moreover, level 2 chargers deliver 3.7–17.2 kW of power and offer up to 44 miles of Tesla range per hour of charging. But it depends on which Tesla model and charger you have.
With home charging, you are paying for the electricity you are using, just like paying for the service cost at a public charging station. But if you are like most US citizens and drive around 40 miles per day, the home charging option would be enough for you.
Well, right now, you have three options for charging your Tesla at home.
- Mobile Connector
- Wall connector
- Universal wall connector
To install the wall connector or universal wall connector, you need professional help. Because it is hardwired into your home and can’t be removed straightforwardly. If the connector is set, then you have to plug it in just like you do with the mobile connector.
However, the wall connector, or universal wall connector, charges your Tesla a bit faster as compared to the mobile connector. But when you charge Tesla at a charging station with a Tesla supercharger, the speed of charging is faster as compared to the wall connector.
How to Charge Tesla At Home Using Mobile Connector
- When you buy a Tesla car, it comes with a mobile connector. The connector has two adapters, one for a 120V plugin and the other for a 240V plugin.
- Join the mobile connector and the adapter, and then plug it into the wall socket.
- Now press the button on the mobile connector handle to open the port on your car. Then, attach the connector to your Tesla.
- Your car’s display screen shows the charging status and how long it will take to be full.
NOTE: To remove the charger from the car, first unlock the car, then hold down the mobile connector handle until the light on the handle turns white, and then remove the charger.
How to Charge Tesla with a Wall Connector
- Pull off the handle of the wall connector, open the cable from the unit, and stretch the connector string on the way to your vehicle.
- Now press the button placed on the handle to open the charging port door.
- Push the handle into your car charging port; once the handle is plugged in, it will automatically initiate the charging of your car’s battery.
- See your car’s display screen to check the charging status and how long it will take to fill.
Note: To remove the charger from the car, hold down the charger handle until the light turns white and take out the handle from the charging port. If you have a power door for the charging port, it will automatically close; if not, then push it to close.
How to Check the Charging Status of your Tesla
So, now you know how to charge Tesla at home, but do you know how you can check the charging status of your Tesla while charging? To check it out, look at the top of the car status screen, which shows different colored lights on the T while charging to let you know how charging is progressing. Here, you can see how much time is left, the charge level of the battery, how much range has been increased, the driving distance, and other data.
Below, we have mentioned what the colors and blinking patterns mean.
- White: The charging port door of your car is open.
- Blue: The charging connector is plugged in.
- Blinking Blue: Your vehicle is formulating to charge or scheduled to charge at a later time.
- Green: Charging is full.
- Blinking Green: The charging process is continuing. However, the frequency of blinking will slow as your vehicle nears being completely charged.
- Red: Charging has stopped because there is an error.
- Amber: The charging connector is not completely inserted.
- Blinking Amber: Your vehicle is charging but with a reduced voltage.
FAQs
Q: How much time does it take to charge Tesla at home?
Fully charging your Tesla at home with a wall connector can take almost 10 hours.
Q: Why level 2 is best for home charging?
Level 2 charging is up to 15 times faster than level 1 and lets more power flow to your Tesla. It is perfect for drivers who want fast charging at home but don’t have access to supercharging stations. Moreover, it is also suitable for those whose electricity providers offer time-of-use discounts during nighttime use.
Q: How much does it cost to get Tesla charging at home?
The cost to fully charge Tesla battery at home varies depending on the model, but approximately it costs around $11.
Sum Up
Now you know how to charge Tesla at home. So, set up an EV charging station in your home garage and charge your vehicle. However, the cost of electricity is very high; to save money, you can choose solar panels, which is a cheaper option.
