Professional Level 2 charger installation by licensed Chicago electricians who handle permits, ComEd rebate applications, and panel assessments—so you charge at home within a week.
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You’re not driving across town searching for available charging stations or sitting in your car for an hour while it slowly charges. You’re not worrying about whether you’ll make it home on a cold Chicago winter night when your range drops 30%.
With Level 2 home charging, you plug in when you park in your garage and wake up to a full battery. Your EV charges at 25-40 miles of range per hour—enough to fully charge overnight for your daily Loop commute or errands around Lincoln Park and Lakeview.
Home charging costs about $30-50 monthly compared to $150-200 for gasoline. ComEd’s time-of-use rates make overnight charging even cheaper. Plus, Chicago homebuyers actively seek EV-ready properties, which increases your home’s resale value in neighborhoods from the Gold Coast to Logan Square.
Jimco Electric has been the emergency electrical service Chicago homeowners call when something goes wrong—flickering lights at 2 AM, burning smells from the panel, power outages affecting half the house. We’ve handled over 8,000 electrical repairs across Chicago since 1999, from vintage greystones in Lincoln Park to Chicago bungalows in Portage Park.
We’re licensed, bonded, and insured with full ICC certification required by Illinois law for EV charger installation. That certification isn’t optional—it’s legally required, and using a non-certified installer voids your ComEd rebate eligibility and creates code violations.
We know Chicago’s electrical landscape. Many homes built before 1990—especially along the Milwaukee Avenue and Western Avenue corridors—have 60-100 amp panels that need upgrading before adding a Level 2 charger. We assess your panel capacity upfront, handle City of Chicago permits through the Department of Buildings, and coordinate the inspection so you’re not dealing with bureaucracy.
We start with a load calculation to determine if your electrical panel can support a 40-50 amp dedicated circuit for Level 2 charging. If your Chicago bungalow or greystone still has its original 100-amp panel, you’ll likely need an upgrade to 200-amp service. We tell you this upfront with transparent pricing—no surprises mid-project.
Next, we handle the permit application with the City of Chicago and order your charging equipment. We coordinate everything including ComEd service disconnect if needed for panel work. Most Chicago homeowners qualify for ComEd rebates up to $3,750 plus federal tax credits up to $1,000—we help you navigate both programs and submit the applications within the required 90-day window.
Installation takes 4-6 hours. We run the dedicated 240-volt circuit from your panel to your garage—whether that’s a detached garage accessed from the rear alley or an attached garage. We mount your charger, test the system, and schedule the city inspection. Once approved, you’re charging your EV at home with a code-compliant installation that protects your warranty and insurance coverage.
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Every installation includes a comprehensive load calculation to assess your electrical panel capacity, installation of a dedicated 40-50 amp circuit with proper GFCI protection, professional mounting of your Level 2 charger, and all wiring according to Chicago electrical codes and National Electrical Code requirements.
We handle the complete permit process with the City of Chicago Department of Buildings and coordinate the required inspection after installation. For Chicago homes with detached garages accessed from rear alleys—common in neighborhoods throughout the city—we plan the wire run from your basement panel to the garage, typically 75-125 feet depending on your lot depth. This may require trenching through your yard or overhead conduit along fences.
Many Chicago homes built before 2000 need panel upgrades from 100-amp to 200-amp service before adding EV charging capacity. This upgrade costs $1,200-$2,500 but is eligible for the same ComEd rebates and federal tax credits as the charger installation. We also help you select cold-weather rated equipment appropriate for Chicago’s sub-zero winters—outdoor installations need weatherproof enclosures and components rated for extreme temperature cycling.
ComEd offers rebates up to $3,750 for income-qualified customers or up to $500 for standard installations. Federal tax credits cover 30% of total costs up to $1,000. We provide all documentation needed for both programs and guide you through the application process to maximize your savings.
Installation costs in Chicago typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on your electrical setup and distance from panel to charger location. If you have a 200-amp panel with available capacity and your garage is close to the panel, you’re looking at the lower end. Detached garages accessed from rear alleys—common throughout Chicago—require longer wire runs that increase costs.
Panel upgrades from 100-amp to 200-amp service add $1,200-$2,500 to the project. Many Chicago homes built before 1990, especially bungalows in neighborhoods like Portage Park and Jefferson Park, need this upgrade. However, ComEd rebates up to $3,750 and federal tax credits up to $1,000 significantly offset these costs.
After rebates and credits, many Chicago homeowners pay just a few hundred dollars out of pocket. The long-term savings are substantial—home charging costs about $30-50 monthly compared to $150-200 for gasoline, saving you $1,200-$1,800 annually on fuel.
The City of Chicago requires electrical permits for all EV charger installations through the Department of Buildings. Permit costs range from $50-$150 and processing typically takes 1-3 business days. Chicago offers an Easy Permit Process for straightforward installations that can speed up approval.
After installation, a city electrical inspector must approve the work before you can legally use your charger. This inspection ensures your installation meets Chicago electrical codes and National Electrical Code requirements. Only licensed Chicago electricians can pull these permits—DIY installations aren’t permitted for 240-volt EV charging circuits.
We handle the entire permit process for you, including the application, fee payment, and inspection coordination. Skipping permits creates serious problems when selling your home and can void your insurance coverage if electrical issues arise. Proper permitting also protects your ComEd rebate eligibility, which requires proof of permitted, code-compliant installation.
The actual installation work takes 4-6 hours once permits are approved and equipment arrives. However, the complete timeline from initial consultation to charging your EV is typically one week, accounting for permit processing with the City of Chicago, equipment ordering, and inspection scheduling.
Panel upgrades add another day to the installation timeline and require ComEd coordination for temporary service disconnect. For Chicago homes with detached garages and long wire runs from the panel, installation may take closer to a full day including trenching or conduit installation.
The city inspection happens after installation is complete, usually within 2-3 days of scheduling. Once the inspector approves the work, you’re cleared to start charging. We coordinate all these steps so you’re not managing multiple appointments or waiting for callbacks from different parties.
It depends on your current panel capacity. Level 2 EV chargers require a dedicated 40-50 amp circuit, which demands significant electrical capacity. Homes with 200-amp panels and available breaker space can usually support EV charging without upgrades. Homes with 100-amp panels may work with load management systems but often need upgrades for safety and code compliance.
Chicago homes built before 1990—particularly bungalows and greystones in older neighborhoods—commonly have 60-100 amp panels that require upgrading to 200-amp service. This isn’t just for the EV charger; it’s a valuable safety upgrade that brings your entire electrical system up to modern standards and supports other high-demand appliances.
We perform a load calculation during your initial assessment to determine exactly what you need. Panel upgrades qualify for the same ComEd rebates and federal tax credits as the charger installation, and they increase your home’s value and electrical capacity for future needs.
Yes, substantial rebates are available. ComEd offers up to $3,750 for income-qualified customers (households earning up to 400% of federal poverty level) or up to $500 for standard residential installations. These rebates are first-come, first-served with limited annual funding, creating urgency to apply quickly after installation.
Federal tax credits cover 30% of your total installation costs up to $1,000 maximum. This includes equipment, labor, permits, and panel upgrades if needed. Combined with ComEd rebates, many Chicago homeowners reduce their out-of-pocket costs to just a few hundred dollars.
To qualify for ComEd rebates, you must use an ICC-certified installer (legally required in Illinois anyway), install an Energy Star certified charger, and submit your application within 90 days of installation. We help you gather all required documentation and submit applications for both programs to maximize your savings.
Yes, Illinois law protects your right to install EV charging equipment even in condos and multi-unit buildings. The Illinois Electric Vehicle Charging Act prevents condo associations from unreasonably restricting installation, though you still need association approval and must follow their process.
Condo installations are more complex than single-family homes. You’ll need to coordinate with building management for electrical access, potentially run wiring through common areas from your unit to your parking space, and provide proof of liability insurance naming the HOA as additional insured. Installation costs are typically higher due to longer wire runs and infrastructure challenges.
We have experience navigating Chicago condo association approvals and coordinating with building management for electrical work. We’ll help you prepare the necessary documentation, explain the installation plan to your association, and handle the technical requirements. With 69% of Chicago residents living in multi-unit dwellings, we’ve completed numerous condo installations throughout the city.
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