Have you ever seen a real estate advertisement featuring an electric vehicle charging station that complements the aesthetics of the home? This is becoming more common as an EV charging station can increase the number of buyers and justify a higher price for the home.
If a home is located in a historic district and the charging station post is outside, the local design review committee may require pre-approval of the design, location, and landscaping around the Level 2 charging station. The committee may also specify that the charging station should be on the side of the post not visible from the street. Additionally, the electric wire may need to be hidden inside the post rather than affixed to the outside.
The appearance of a charging station installation might affect the property value. Below are some example installations.
House-mounted all-in-one charging stations
This owner mounted the charging station on the side of the house, on a backboard with a slanted roof for rain and snow protection. The wooden installation complements the historic house. [Photo: Willy Osborn]
This owner made a space for the charging station on the side of the garage, which is camouflaged with landscaping. [Photo: Jesse Gray]
This charging station was installed inside a porch, to lessen weather exposure and perhaps include lighting. [Photo: Willy Osborn]
Post-mounted all-in-one charging stations in a box with a door
This owner created a wooden box with a door and space inside for the cord to wrap around the charging station. A design review committee in a historic district may be more likely to approve this type of installation since the charging station and the cord are not visible from the street.
[Photo: Anne Lusk]
This charging station is beside the driveway which is near the patio and back door to the house. The owners put the charging station in a box with two doors and painted the box the same color as the house.
[Photo: anonymous contributor]
The owner of a modern house has a post-mounted charger and also this box with the charging station inside. [Photo: anonymous contributor]
Post-mounted all-in-one charging station
The owner explained that the three layer cap on the wooden post is decorative and to provide shade. The installation instructions for the JuiceBox charging station recommend protecting the device from overheating in direct sun. This charging station faces the street. [Photo: Taylor Braun-Jones]
Owners of a modern home created a charging station with aesthetics that matched the house. The charging station is mounted high on a post with a bracket to hold the cord and faces the house. The mechanics are hidden inside the box. [Photo: anonymous contributor]
Post-mounted Level 2 outlet
A design review committee may require that the electric charging box with the outlet face the house, and not the street, and that the post be natural wood and surrounded by greenery. For this charging station, only the outlet is provided so a portable Level 2 cord is used to recharge the Tesla. The pipe for the electricity and the cover are painted dark brown. The electricity runs underground from the house to the post.
[Photo: Anne Lusk]
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