The most common question we get from our clients is: how much is the installation? Here are some factors that could affect the cost. 

House/Townhouse

There are 3 main factors that affect the installation cost of EV charger

  • Type of residence – installation costs depend on whether you live in condo/apartment or house/townhouse. Different type of residence requires different electrical work.
  • Capacity – if your load is not enough for EV charger installation, you may need a service upgrade or load management device (DCC-12) to help you manage your load.
  • Length of installation –installation cost will depend on the distance of your EV charger from your main electrical panel. The cost will be the lowest if your electrical panel is in the garage, and the installation is within 6m of the panel.

 

Apartment/Workplaces

  • Installation costs depend greatly on the distance between your parking lot and the main electrical room. If your stall is at P1, and the electrical room is on P2, then the installation could be complicated and costly because electricians need to run wires through the floor.

Note: For installation in townhouses and apartments, we need to go into the main electrical room to do a load calculation for the entire complex. Owners need to ask strata for access to central electrical room and strata approval letter before installation.

With all the factors above, you can see that doing an assessment is necessary to determine the actual costs.

Interested in installation? We provide free assessments! BOOK HERE now.

You will need a load management system if your electrical panel does not have sufficient breaker space or electricity capacity for EV charger installation. There are two types of load management systems: Load Switch and DCC-12. They are both great alternatives to costly service upgrade. 

Load Switch is used when there is no additional breaker space in your electrical panel. It provides a simple way for homeowners to add electrical devices without impacting the load calculation. It allows power sharing between two home appliances. For example, dryer and EV charger can share the same breaker slot. 

In power sharing, there is always a primary device and secondary device. In this case, dryer will be a primary device. When you are using the dryer, EV charger will be automatically shut off. After you are done with the dryer, the power will relocate back to the EV charger automatically after a certain delay. Load Switch will constantly monitor energy consumption from electrical appliances, when the threshold is achieved, it will switch off the appliance that has a lower priority. 

DCC-12 is designed for electrical panels at full capacity. Similar to Load Switch, it does not affect load calculations. It provides real time reading of the total power consumption. When the overall consumption reaches 80% of the main breaker circuit, it will temporarily shut off the EV charger. However, once the power consumption is less than 80% of its capacity for more than 15 minutes, it will automatically re-start the EV charger. It is recommended when the panel is at full capacity but still has breaker slots available. 

 

Need to install an EV charger? Amor Energy will be your expert. 

Call us at 604-267-1677 or info@amorenergy.ca 

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular in recent years, it is important to understand the concept of different charging levels so that you can get a more efficient charging experience. There are four different ways to charge your electric vehicles (EVs): level 1, 2 and 3, and the well-known SuperCharger.

1. Level 1
  • Uses a connection to a standard 120-volt outlet
  • Charges about 8 km per hour
  • Takes 60+ hours to fully charge a battery EV (6 to 12 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
  • All EVs come with a kit, also referred to as a mobile charger, used mostly at home
  • Maximum charging power is 15 Amps x 80% x 120 Volts = 1.4 kW
  • The slowest way to charge
  • Depending on the current battery charge and temperature, a 10-hour overnight charge could add over 75 km of range

2. Level 2

  • Uses a connection to a 240-volt outlet, also used by ovens and dryers
  • Could charge up to 50km per hour
  • Takes 6 to 14 hours to fully charge a battery EV (4 to 8 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
  • Used in homes, businesses, and common areas
  • Maximum charging power varies from about 7 kW to 11 kW or more
  • These chargers use either a J1772 plug or a Tesla plug
  • Depending on current battery charge and temperature, a 5-hour charge at 7 kW could add over 190 km of range

3. Fast charger (Level 3)

  • Uses a direct current connection to a car battery
  • Charges 100 km per 30 minutes or 80% charge at 50 kW (varies by vehicle type)
  • Takes an hour to 2 hours to fully charge a battery EV (15 minutes to 3 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
  • Used mostly in businesses and common areas
  • There are two types of plugs for DCFC charging: CCS and CHAdeMO

4. Supercharge

  • Superchargers are just Tesla’s proprietary version of DCFC chargers
  • Maximum charging power is up to 72, 150, 250 kW
  • Actual charging power/speed depends on the battery state of charge, temperature and maximum power supported by the EV
  • Similar speed to level 3 charger

Need to install an EV charger? Amor Energy will be your expert. 

Call us at 604-267-1677 or info@amorenergy.ca 

Did you know that the city of Vancouver has proposed a 10,000 annual fee for gas stations and parking lots that don’t have EV chargers, starting in 2025?

Many business owners consider adding EV charging facilities to their properties as the EV wave arrives. So, what are the benefits of having commercial chargers?

1. Attract more customers

Imagine this – you own a small motel. if your competitor across the street just installed an EV charger, who will win more customers? EV drivers are more likely to choose theirs, paying just a few bucks more to get their vehicle charged! It also helps to increase customer satisfaction and reputation by going green!

2. Increase property value

Even if you are selling your property – you will get more money when there are EV chargers! Investors and realtors are considering EV facilities when evaluating the property value!

3. ROI in 5 years – and even shorter with the Carbon Credit program!

Let us do the math for you – If you set your fee at $3/hour/car, you will earn more than $10,000 in revenue per year, per charger. With the installation cost of $30,000~$60,000, the ROI is in 5 years! Now, you also have BC Hydro’s $5000 rebate (limited time) and carbon credit program for commercial chargers (contact us for details).

German carmaker Volkswagen recently announced an ambitious plan to pull 350 kilowatts of power from electric vehicle batteries, putting it on par with electric energy companies. Volkswagen’s move marks not only the mainstreaming of electric vehicles but also a potential change in the EV business model. Bi-directional charging may become an important feature in evaluating the suitability of electric vehicles.

So, what is bidirectional charging?

The principle

When charging an electric car, alternating current (AC) from the grid is converted to direct current (DC), which is stored in the car battery. This is usually done by an onboard converter in the car. If the energy stored in an EV’s battery is to be used to power a house or send electricity back to the grid, the DC power stored in the car must be extracted and then converted back to AC.

Two-way charging piles can make this energy conversion possible and store energy for emergencies or add solar panels to become a member of the home energy ecosystem.

What is the future?

One of the necessary foundations for the widespread use of bidirectional charging stations is industry regulation and collaboration. While regulations in the industry won’t change overnight, the early success of bi-directional charger adoption on a global scale is encouraging. According to industry reports, there are many important projects focusing on this technology going on around the world.

More than half of these projects are in Europe, such as Octopus Energy Powerloop in the UK. In this program, customers can sign up to install bi-directional chargers and be eligible for discounts and monthly rebates for putting surplus electricity back into the grid.

The outlook for North America is also positive.

Building a two-pronged model of solar and stationary battery storage is now the ground-breaking new energy technology. The solar industry has largely driven regulations for back-feeding power to the grid, and the battery storage industry has pushed regulations for back-feeding power to homes from batteries.

Once the regulations are settled, the final element is the hardware that makes them work together. Chargers from manufacturers such as Princeton Power already have this capability. Bi-directional chargers like Wallbox Quasar, which will be launched this year, are the first to receive UL certification.

However, these early bi-directional chargers were bulky and expensive, so they are not consumer products. The future direction is smaller and more affordable products, tailored for different regions and markets.

What determines the future?
  • Car and battery manufacturers need to develop more products capable of bidirectional charging
  • The charging and energy industries require stringent regulations to provide standardized business models
  • Charger manufacturers need to develop safer, easier-to-operate bidirectional charging technology

Get up to $350 for single-family homes (house, duplex and townhouse) for EV charging! Here are the details of the rebate offer.

Eligibility
Eligible costs
Amor Energy will provide all the documents and help you apply for the rebate after the installation. Reference and link to apply for the rebate: https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates

Having trouble in the application process? Here are 5 steps when you apply on BC Hydro’s website. 

  1. Applicant Information

     Rebate Application - Step 1

  2. Property InformationRebate Application - Step 2
  3. Charger InformationRebate Application - Step 3
  4. Payment InformationRebate Application - Step 4
  5. Review & Submit
Would like to get the $350 today? Contact us for free assessments!

Solar energy systems convert sunlight into electricity and supply energy consumption for your home. As solar systems are more and more popular, what are their benefits?

1. Rate of Return (from actual energy savings & sell back)

Did you know that solar panels generate electricity even when it is not sunny? As long as it is not raining, they are always generating electricity! With the annual electricity and gas price increasing, solar systems help you to reduce the bills! BC Hydro’s Net Metering program helps you to generate revenue from your solar energy system.

2. Reduce Carbon Footprint

A 5-kW solar system can save 2.306 tons of CO2 per year, which equals 96 trees on the earth! A 5-kW system also helps to reduce GHG by 324 square meters per year.

3. Enhance House Cooling

Houses with solar panels can be extra cool during the summer because they help absorb some of the heat.

4. Dependable & Reliable

Solar panels usually don’t require much maintenance, you just need to clean them one or two times a year. The product warranty is 25 years, which is very reliable.

5. Storage System

When it is connected to an energy storage system, a solar system can be used as a backup power source in a power outrage. Energy storage system helps to store the extra electricity generated from solar systems and supply the daily energy use in your houses, such as EV charging, dryers and ranges.

6. Government Rebates & Tax Credits

With the current Greener Home Program, you can get up to $5000 for your solar energy system! Amor Energy provides one-stop service for your solar system needs, including rebate application and discounted Energy Advisor services, contact us today and let us serve you!

Canada is pledged to hit the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, are you ready for that?

On the individual level, how can we help? Create a zero-energy home! Building a zero-energy home does not only mean installing solar panels on your roof but also mean considering all the zero-emission designs when you build the house. Planning to build a new house in the next few years? Here are three systems you could choose for your personalized zero-home project!

1. EV Charging System

Believe it or not, electric car (EV) waves have already begun! EVs are cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain and better for the environment in the long run. The Canadian Government has imposed a plan to have 100% of vehicles sold to be electric in 2040. Currently, you can get up to $350 rebates if you live in a house or townhouse, or up to $2000 if you live in condos! Amor Energy provides a one-stop service including rebate application to all EV owners’ charging needs, experienced in residential and commercial projects.

2. Solar Panel System

Solar energy is also a hot trend over the years. Solar panels convert solar energy from sunlight into electricity and power the house. It has many advantages including enhancing house cooling in summer. With a dependable 25-year warranty, solar panels only require cleaning once or twice a year. Federal Government now offers up to $5000 of rebate for solar panels with the Greener Home Program. With 10 years of combined solar energy experience, Amor Energy provides the right expertise you need.

3. Energy Storage System

Energy storage solutions help home and business owners to enjoy lowered operational expenses for energy and reliable alternative power sources during power outrage. Amor Energy offers customed designs for your energy storage needs. We offer more than simply stable energy storage. Our system absorbs surplus generation from renewable and alternative energy sources during off-peak hours and re-inserts stored energy back into the system. This helps you to meet the demand during higher energy consumption periods of the day and power outrages.

Contact us today to get started with your zero-energy home plan!

Although it is an extra cost, a permit is needed for your EV charger installation. Here are three reasons:

1. City bylaw requires it.

Permits are a legal requirement in British Columbia and are often necessary for home insurance purposes. They help determine whether electrical work is done safely in compliance with the Electrical Codes and Standards in B.C. Electrical permits are required for all electrical work unless you are replacing defective fuses, receptacles, switches, or bulbs with units of similar type and rating, or making minor alterations, repairs, or additions to an installation covered by an existing annual electrical permit. For your safety, please consult with a certified electrician from Amor Energy, your municipality or Technical Safety BC about obtaining an electrical permit before commencing any electrical work. Depending on where your property is located, Technical Safety BC or your municipality will issue the permit. Our certified and red sealed electricians will be responsible for applying the permits for all installations.

2. To avoid future risks.

If the house is damaged in the future because of electrical issues, the permit ensures that you get covered by insurance. The insurance company may deny your claims and blame the charger installation for the damage if you choose not to obtain a permit for it.

3. It increases your property value.

When you rent out or resell your property, an electrical permit with a charger increases its value. Studies have confirmed that properties with EV chargers are more attractive to higher-income buyers.

For townhouses and condos, a formal, signed strata approval letter is an essential part when applying for an electrical permit for EV charger installations.

  • What is strata approval letter?
    • A strata signed, formal letter stating that the residence has been approved to install EV charger at his/her property. The letter should include the unit number, address, simple description of the installation, the signature, and the contact information of the strata. It can be in jpg, jpeg, word, or pdf versions (see the sample letter below).
  • How to obtain strata approval letter?
    • Clients could contact their strata by themselves to ask for the possibility of installing a car charger/receptacle. Amor Energy can provide all accreditation forms such as WCB clearance letter, Certificate of 5 million Insurance, BC Hydro Alliance Member accreditation and project portfolios if needed.
  • How long is the process?
    • After a free onsite assessment, Amor Energy will provide advice about the installation. The client can then submit the request to strata and have strata provide the approval letter. The process usually takes about 1-2 weeks.