UK Green Energy Installations Announces Membership of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC).

UK Green Energy Installations are delighted to announce official membership of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). As members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), we agree to abide by the Consumer Code. It covers all the factors that contribute to a high standard of consumer service, before, during and after a contract is agreed. More information can be found here.

In the next couple of weeks, we will be working towards the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) which certifies, quality assures and provides consumer protection for microgeneration installations and installers. These consist of small scale renewable electricity technologies such as solar PV , biomass, wind, heat pumps and heat products Find out more here.

A Surge in Surge Protection

An increasing number of our customers at UK Green Energy Installations are opting to protect ALL their sensitive electrically controlled devices, including Electric Car Chargers with Surge Protection Devices (SPDs).

Providing protection against overvoltages, SPDs are on the increase providing peace of mind, adding protection to car chargers and cars themselves in case an overvoltage occurs.

What is an overvoltage?

Overvoltages are caused by a surge in voltage above the upper limit design of the circuit of an electrical device, such as an electric car charger.  I.e. a switch in large load (electrical energy) when it reaches the household following a power cut.

Is an SPD necessary?

With more expensive electronically controlled devices being used in the modern household the concern for protecting these devices with SPD’s has become a regulation consideration in the 18th Edition wiring regulations BS.7671.

Getting an SPD installed when your Car Charger is being installed is a good way of protecting all of your electronically controlled devices in your home.

Do circuit breakers protect my devices?

Circuit breakers including residual-current device (RCD’s) and miniature circuit breaker (MCB’s) are designed to protect you, your devices and the wiring within your home or business. Whereas SPDs protect you from surges coming into your property from outside your home or business.

Firmware Updates – Why You should Install Them

When we install any new car charger with smart technology built-in, one of the first things we do following powering-up and safety testing, is to check the firmware to see if it is up-to-date.

Why does the firmware require updates?

Technology changes constantly and with new products being released such as new mobile phone software, it is important the chargers continue to stay compatible and can be integrated seamlessly and safely.

Like any hardware operated by software, glitches can occur with the charger’s software and these can be ironed out in newer releases of the firmware.

Example

Following a recent install of a Myenergi Zappi, we found the existing Eddi (controlling the water heating from PV Solar) would not communicate to the new Zappi car charger. This was all down to the firmware never being updated. Once we found the issue, this was easy to rectify.

Electric Car Chargers Could be Switched off Remotely at Peak Times

Following the recent article in The Times (link below) electrical vehicle chargers could be centrally switched off during peak times, UK Green Energy Installations looks into what this could mean, how it will happen and what impact this will have on car charging.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/electric-car-chargers-could-be-switched-off-remotely-at-peak-times-svz5zrhhp?region=global

How much time do you need to charge your vehicle?

The average EV Vehicle has a battery of approximately 60 KWh, with the standard home charger being 7 KW. This would then take 8.5 hours of charge to go from 0% to 100%. However, it is normally recommended to charge to only 80-90% by your vehicle manufacturer and it is unlikely that your vehicle would be at 0% charge to begin with.

With a vehicle that’s set to charge after 10pm, and then charged for approximately 8.5 hours overnight, would mean the battery is fully charged before 06:30am, ready for the average commute to work or school.

As energy suppliers are offering good off-peak rates, it would be beneficial to take advantage of this and use cheaper rates at night to charge / top-up your vehicle.

How it is likely to occur

To be applicable for the government grant, your electric vehicle charger must be on a list of approved EVHS units - see the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-guidance-electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-guidance-for-customers

These approved EVHS (Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme) units include smart technology that can connect to the internet via SIM or Wi-Fi. Using this part of the charger’s technology may allow the government to have control of your charger, switching it off temporarily if peak demand on energy starts to exceed the capacity of local supplier’s equipment.

Will everyone be affected?

If you opt not to purchase a ‘Smart Charger’ and prefer to use a key operated charger without connectivity, you are unlikely to be affected. These chargers have no communication built-in and can simply be operated by a key. There are no internal elements to monitor its usage and the charger is the sole responsibility of the user plugging in their vehicle.

We install Smart Chargers and key operated chargers without connectivity for the home or the office: carcharge.uk/productsoverview

This Smart Charger from Myenergi not only benefits from connectivity but it can also be configured to be utilised with solar panels.

The Securicharge solution from Rolec has no smart connectivity and simply utilises a key to switch the unit on and off.

Choosing a Tethered or Untethered Zappi EV Charger?

The Zappi EV Charger is designed in either a tethered or untethered model. Choosing a tethered or untethered Zappi depends on personal preference. Below are a couple of points you might want to consider before making your decision.

Positives on untethered EV chargers

1. Aesthetics - there is no lead left hanging around and looking untidy when the charger is not in use

2. Connection - whoever is using the charger can use their own lead (supplied with the car), so your lead and your responsibility

3. Length - if you need a longer or shorter lead you can buy one to suit your car / parking position and location

4. Replacement lead - if the lead gets damaged you can simply buy another lead without the need to hire an electrician to replace it.

Positives on tethered EV chargers

1. Location - as the lead is tethered to the charger, you will always know where the lead is

2. Time saver - when you’re in a hurry and time is of the essence, you can plug your tethered lead straight into the car

3. Quality - as the lead is permanently tethered to the charger, it is less likely to get damaged.

Other considerations

Black, white, tethered or untethered - you choose…

New Heights at Pedal Heaven

Dedicated bike shops on our high streets are thinking ahead and prioritising the health and safety of their staff, as well as diversifying to stay ahead of the latest trends. A recent growing trend in electric mountain bikes requires store staff to train up on servicing and maintaining every aspect of these new bikes. As they are battery assisted, they also weigh significantly more than most bikes sold on the high street in 2021.

We were recently asked by Pedal Heaven in Fleet, Hampshire to install a new electric work stand for their workshop. The new bike stand lifts the bikes up (electronically) to a safe working height for repairs and servicing, ensuring the health and safety of their staff is a priority.

Check out this short video

New Heights at Pedal Heaven