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Surrey is the City of the Future and so it only makes sense that Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the current trend moving forward for transportation. Let’s talk all about Electric Vehicles- what you need to know, and their installation process.

What’s all the rage?

Electric Vehicles are still making their way into the conventional automotive market. They have grown in popularity in recent years with many celebrities and higher-income and environmentally conscious people buying EVs. Most have rave reviews and love their electric vehicles.

Why go electric?

Carbon emissions are changing the global climate and causing cascading implications. These implications are affecting all areas of life such as pollution, habitat destruction, and health problems to name a few. Gasoline reliant vehicles cause a significant amount of the world’s carbon emissions.

Where to charge?

There are a growing number of charging stations appearing at different locations including places of employment, multi-dwelling establishments, and even residential homes. You might also find charging stations in commercial business areas as well as around community centres or city squares around Surrey. Charging at home is the most convenient option unless there is a charging station conveniently near your place of work or home.

What does it cost?

The cost of electricity is much more stable than gasoline therefore budgeting for your EV is much easier. It costs a similar amount of money as cooling your home. All of this will depend on how often and how far you drive. An 8-hour charge per day will show a large increase in your electricity bill, however, when compared to gasoline you may be pleasantly surprised. Having a charger at home can also allow you to charge outside of peak hours which can reduce the costs.

What should I know about installation?

At home, chargers can be installed either inside your garage or outside your driveway. Your electric panel and subpanel may need upgrades to be compatible with your new EV charger. If you don’t already have a subpanel, adding one might be suggested.

To complete the EV charger installation, a few things need to be determined such as;

1. Selecting the right charger for your EV make and model
2. Knowing the electrical configurations of your home
3. Completing any electric upgrades required
4. Meeting safety standards and complying with codes
5. Usage knowledge and guidelines for the safety and longevity of your equipment

Is it worth it?

Although there are EV charging stations around, you will get the most benefit from having an EV charger installed at your home. Having a charger at home allows you to set up a regular charging schedule for your vehicle and sometimes these schedules can be auto-programmed depending on your charger and vehicle. This will protect the life of your battery and subsequently add longevity and life to your vehicle. Each manufacturer has specific charging guidelines to follow to ensure a healthy battery life long-term.

Ultimately, EVs are the way of the future, and installing an EV charger in your home will prepare your home for the future of transportation. It can also be seen by potential buyers as a selling feature if and when you sell your current home.

Invest in the future of transportation and enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of EV charging. Finding the right EV charging solution for a residential or commercial building can be a lengthy process. EV charger installation in Surrey or anywhere in the surrounding cities is a good option as more electric vehicles make their way in increased popularity for the future.

Most businesses want to do their part to show that they are taking pressing environmental concerns seriously but many are unsure of where to start. Some are even concerned that moving towards greener technology is prohibitively expensive.

Fortunately, choosing innovative energy solutions doesn’t have to be unaffordable. There are small steps that any business can take to improve its energy efficiency and save money along the way.

How Smart Building Lighting Control Helps Curb Climbing Energy Costs

A small change that can significantly impact your business’s bottom line is a simple switch from high-energy using halogen or incandescent lightbulbs to energy-efficient LED lighting.

Retail spaces have a lot riding on how to best present their products to consumers. A lot of time is spent getting the design, layout, and lighting of a retail outlet just right and up until recently, lighting solutions almost always included inefficient halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent bulbs.

With a growing spotlight shining on the importance of energy conservation, smart building and smart lighting control are becoming increasingly common in commercial, retail, and residential spaces. In some areas, building codes have been updated to include a maximum allowable power density for new builds and to encourage the use of smart building lighting controls. Governments and utility providers have also rolled out incentives offering generous rebates to businesses that switch to efficient LED lighting.

Here are four reasons why you might want to make the switch too.

Create a Welcoming Environment for Consumers

Overly harsh, outdated, or dull lighting can have a significant impact on a shopper’s perception before they’ve even had a chance to start browsing. Upgraded lighting is a simple, affordable way to make your retail outlet more inviting. LED lightbulbs are available in a wide range of warmth levels and brightness giving you the flexibility to choose the one that best compliments your space and vision.

With smart building lighting control, lighting intensity can be customized based on the time of day. During the early morning rush, shoppers may prefer bright, energizing lighting, while they may prefer calm soothing light later in the day.

Improve the Appearance of Retail Displays

Retrofitted lighting solutions with energy-efficient LED bulbs to allow you to enhance the appearance of your goods. Customized lighting solutions can benefit all businesses but are particularly important to those that rely on lighting to showcase their products, like jewelry stores and apparel outlets.

Replace Bulbs Less Often

Many LED lightbulbs have a lifespan of over 60,000 hours which is about ten times longer than other types of commonly used bulbs. Dramatically improved longevity means you will be spending significantly less on routine lighting maintenance costs while minimizing the disruption created by replacing bulbs in hard-to-reach places.

Reduce Energy Expenditure

Aesthetics aside, the biggest difference you will notice by switching to efficient LED lighting is a massive reduction in your monthly energy costs. LED lights can shave as much as 75% off your monthly energy bill. Put into perspective, that could add up to a savings of more than $15,000 per year for a typical 2,000 square foot retail outlet.

Smart building lighting control can also help retail businesses improve their efficiency and save on their energy bills. Sensors and timers can be used to specify lighting levels depending on external conditions or the time of day, automatically lowering when it is light out and increasing brightness when it is dark or rainy.