Speaking for myself:
Now I live in europe where 240v is standard, but apparently even in the US/Canada you do actually have 220v just split in two parts and its a matter of getting a little y-cable and you can do it in a home also. So buy the cable already, sure it cant cost more than $5 on ebay.
Europe has 220v single phase, usa has 240v split phase. Not a simple cable to have 240v outlet in usa. Minimum of a new breaker. Usually requires new breaker and new wire to new outlet.